Developer Redwood Properties has proposed a 7-storey, mixed-use, predominantly residential rental development at 507 though 523 Eglinton Avenue West along the northern edge of Toronto's Forest Hill area. The building would include retail space at ground level and 35 residential rental units, 8 of which would be rental replacement units for those currently on the seconds floors of the five existing two-storey buildings at the site. 

Planning consultants the Goldberg Group filed for Site Plan Approval in February, 2021 and it was received by the City in March. However after consulting with planning staff it was determined more documents were required to complete the application, so Goldberg Group resubmitted in July, 2021. The application is currently being circulated for feedback among city departments.

Building Context for 523 Eglinton, designed by IBI Group for Redwood Properties

The 1,114m² site is located on a busy corridor along Eglinton in Midtown Toronto where most buildings, including the ones currently onsite, are two storeys high, with retail at ground level and the second floor often containing residential rental units. To the north and south of Eglinton, the surrounding neighbourhoods feature mostly low density single-family homes. The proposed building includes 349m² of total ground level retail space in two units, both accessible from the sidewalk. Above, the proposal has 3,973m² of residential floor area. Lot coverage of the proposal is 91%, and the total proposed density has a 3.88 FSI.

The westernmost building on the site, 523 Eglinton West, was batch designated on the City's Heritage Register during the City's Midtown In Focus study from a few years back, but, but heritage specialists ERA Architects argue that there is noting significant enough about 523 that would merit it being retained. Instead, the project architects IBI Group have incorporated design elements from the existing buildings such as punched windows, band signage and offset, recessed entryways to create a building that fits in with the existing neighbourhood's built form.

Front View of 523 Eglinton With Ground Level Retail, designed by IBI Group for Redwood Properties

The proposal contains 9 one-bedroom (25.7%) and 26 two-bedroom units (74.3%) with some of those units including a den, for a total of 35 units. The units on the second floor of the building are the replacement units for the existing ones onsite. All residents would have access to 240m² of indoor and outdoor amenity space, though the City only requires 108m² based on the number of suites proposed. The proposal includes a 65m² green roof covering 20% of the available roof space which is the minimum required.

Rear View of 523 Eglinton, designed by IBI Group for Redwood Properties

The proposal includes an automated parking lift to a garage with 38 vehicular parking spaces and 48 bicycle parking spaces for both retail and residential use. 9 bicycle parking spaces are short term and 9 of the vehicular parking spaces would have electric vehicle supply.

The site is located between the Chaplin and Avenue Road stations of the coming Crosstown LRT. Interchange stations with the Line 1 subway will be a short ride away. Nearby amenities for future residents include parks, a community centre, library, the Beltline Trail, two arenas, and multiple primary and secondary schools.

You can learn more from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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