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Just north of Toronto in York Region, a master-planned development has been proposed for the southwestern corner of Richmond Hill. Dubbed Richvale Village, it is named for the Richvale neighbourhood opposite on the east bank of the East Don River. The land on the east side of Bathurst Street, north of Highway 7, is currently in use as the Richmond Hill Golf Club. It would continue to exist, but with a reduced number of fairways and holes. The mixed-use development that would replace most of the golf course would have a blend of residential, commercial, and public spaces. Designed by BNKC for The Philmor Group, the project's buildings span from 4 to 38 storeys, aiming to bring denser urban living to this western extension of Richvale.
Until recently, this site was protected as part of the Parkway Belt West Plan (PBWP), a strategic initiative set in motion by the provincial government in 1973. This plan was conceived to reserve lands for what eventually became Highway 407, along with other transportation and utility corridors. An element of the plan was to act as a green buffer between built-up areas, distinctly separating communities. This corner of Richmond Hill was included in the PBWP due to its adjacency to the Don and golf course use, reinforcing its green character.
The PBWP lands were reserved via a Minister's Zoning Order (MZO) in 1973, a special directive more often used these days to fast-track land development. In this case, a request was made in 2021 to remove these lands from the PBWP, paving the way for redevelopment as part of a Major Transit Station Area, and in March, 2022, an MZO revoked the earlier PBWP MZO regarding the parcel of land outlined in the image below.
The Philmor Group envisions a masterplanned community on the site, which the proposal divides into a series of five distinct character districts across the approximately 105-acre property, plus the remaining golf course. Each district would have its own unique features and function, aiming to create a vibrant development.
The Village Square district, positioned as the heart of the community, would offer local businesses, public parks, and a dynamic public realm.
The Philmor Group's materials state that sustainability is at the core of the design. The proposal incorporates…
- green roofs that filter and detain rainfall
- resilient landscaping with native plants
- an ambient loop energy system
This loop energy system has the potential to include features like sewage heat recovery, geo-exchange systems, and solar power. The site is structured around a major parkland and open space network, connecting to existing woodlands and the golf course.
A second connector road would serve as a major street for the community, linked to Highway 7 at the south end and Bathurst at the north end. Emphasizing active transportation, the design includes a dedicated cycling network that ties into Richmond Hill's existing cycling infrastructure along Bathurst and the significant trail skirting Highway 7. The Philmor Group aims for a holistic approach that is intended to integrate the new community well into the broader vehicular and transit networks while prioritizing pedestrian and cycling paths.
In addition to Highway 7 and Bathurst Street for vehicular access, the area is served by Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Bathurst and Highway 7, and with a stop beside the development, the area is designated as a Major Transit Station Area. To the east, the BRT connects to Langstaff GO station and the future northernmost stations of the Yonge North Subway Extension, while to the south the BRT connects to Promenade Mall in Vaughan.
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: | BNKC, VIP Condos Toronto, WND Associates Ltd |
