The Gupta Group has submitted a new plan for their development at 4050 Yonge, the site of a commuter parking lot at York Mills subway station. Originally proposed as a 7-storey mid-rise office and hotel building, the proposal has since been completely redesigned, retaining the office use while moving the hotel to the street corner in a 21-storey tower, and adding a 35-storey residential tower overlooking the Don River and golf course. Gupta's previous scheme for the property, which was proposed as of 2015, utilized an office condo model. Office condo sales have slowed dramatically in recent years since the previous provincial government instituted a foreign buyers tax. The new plan hopes a greater mix of uses will prove a better concept for the site.

Looking north to 4050 Yonge, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Designed by IBI Group, the project would bring 1,500 m² of at-grade retail, office floor plates on levels two and three, 312 hotel rooms, and 290 condo suites to an area currently served by a TTC Subway Station, GO Bus Station, and convenient access to Highway 401. The hotel tower would run parallel to Yonge Street using a slab rectilinear design while the residential tower would be set back along Wilson Avenue, stepping back slightly to a crown at the upper levels. Stone cladding with punched windows would characterize the bulk of the residential tower's facade, while the hotel component would feature a glass wall design accented with the same stone precast panels.

Southern elevation across Wilson Avenue to 4050 Yonge, image via submission to the City of Toronto

The push for greater height here comes despite longstanding regulations stating that development in the Hoggs Hollow area around Yonge and York Mills/Wilson cannot exceed the sight lines across the valley from top-of-bank to top-of-bank. Planning consultants Bousfields concluded that "this regulation is reflective of an older policy framework that is not aligned with the Provincial prioritization of intensification of land". 

Eastern elevation across Yonge to 4050 Yonge, image via submission to the City of Toronto

The residential tower would house a mix of 69 one-bedroom, 120 two-bedroom, and 101 three-bedroom units. 10% of the units (29) would be designated as affordable, obtained through a Section 37 community benefit. 766 vehicle spaces are proposed (56% of what is required by the existing Zoning Bylaw), as well as 198 bicycle parking spaces.

Previous plan, Yonge Park Plaza, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Additional information and images can be found in our Database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment below.

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