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The GTA is seeing a growing trend of larger sites of one sure being completely transformed through redevelopment, often characterized by mixed-use residential space, retail, public areas, along with an affordable housing component. One such development, located in Toronto’s Scarborough City Centre neighbourhood at 1710 Ellesmere, aims to redefine its site.
A proposal located at 1710 and 1712 Ellesmere Road for a mixed-use development aims to create an inclusive and sustainable community. The project is a collaboration between Community Living Toronto and Tridel, who have submitted an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for the site.
The development spans a land area of approximately 18,800m², located at the northeast corner of Ellesmere Road and Grangeway Avenue, less than 900m south of Highway 401. The site is currently occupied by Community Living Toronto (CLTO), a non-profit organization supporting people living with developmental disabilities, in a building built back in 1963.
The site is adjacent to the existing TTC McCowan Yard for the Line 3 Scarborough light rapid transit line, which is set to be decommissioned in the fourth quarter of 2023. The planned Scarborough Subway Extension will extend Line 2's service by approximately 8km into Scarborough, with Scarborough Centre station to be located about 300m northwest of the site. Further, the proposed Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit, which would run from Oshawa to Scarborough, would pass by, terminating at Scarborough Centre station.
The proposed development calls for three development blocks, two public park blocks, and a block for a new public road. This would include five residential towers, ranging from 28 to 53 storeys, or 97.75m to 171.65m. In all, the proposal calls for 2,392 new residential units.
The architectural drawings show five elevators for four of the towers, with the shortest of the five towers (Tower C) to house three elevators. This arrangement would result in all towers being close to the threshold of 1 elevator per 100 units, ranging from about 93 units per elevator in Tower C to 112 units per elevator in Tower A.
The design calls for both underground parking, as well as parking in the podiums of Towers 1 and 2. There would be a total of 1,509 parking spaces, of which 141 would be for visitors and non-residential use. The proposal also includes 1,794 bicycle parking spots, with 167 being for short-term use.
The design by Kirkor Architects Planners features a total gross floor area (GFA) of approximately 174,420m², with about 77,036m² of residential and 13,000m² of commercial GFA. This expansive commercial space will house a variety of retail and service businesses, aiming to contribute to the economic vitality of the area and providing residents with convenient access to essential services. Residents would also have access to about 9,783m² of amenities, of which 4,862m² would be located outdoors on top of the podiums.
One of the key features of the project is its commitment to enhancing the public realm. The development includes a public park equipped with an outdoor amphitheater, a splash pad, and a playground. The design includes various pedestrian walkways, which would provide uninterrupted connections to the Privately Owned Publicly-Accessible Spaces (POPS) within the development. The design of these amenities aims for a seamless transition between the public and private realms, offering residents ample space for social gathering and outdoor activity.
There are at least seven development applications within 500m of the site. These projects range from 15 to 59 storeys in size, with five of them being designated mixed-use sites. They include the multi-tower developments of 675 Progress Avenue and 670 Progress Avenue, both less than 500m north of the site.
The proposal for 1710 Ellesmere embodies the growing trend of complete communities in the GTA. The proponents say that the project aims to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable community that enhances the quality of life for its residents.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, 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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| Related Companies: | Bousfields, EQ Building Performance Inc., Jablonsky, Ast and Partners, KIRKOR Architects and Planners, MCW Consultants Ltd, MEP Design Inc., Tridel |
