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Signalling the GO Train's impending arrival in Central Oshawa, a massive mixed-use development proposal just north of Highway 401 went before Oshawa's Economic and Development Services Committee earlier this week. Designed by Baron Nelson Architects and DIALOG, this transformative project emerges from a collaboration between the Ellsworth Group, Forgestone Capital, and Milborne Group. Addressed to 144 through 155 First Avenue and located within the Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) for the coming Central Oshawa GO station on the Lakeshore East GO line extension to Bowmanville, this expansive 17.7-acre site is poised to redefine the skyline of Oshawa.
Currently, the 144 First Avenue site is utilized as a surface-paved parking lot, whereas 155 First on the south side of the street is vacant, a former automotive glass plant on the site that closed over a decade ago having been recently torn down. The new Oshawa Central GO station will be located a short 300m, three block walk directly north.
Another factory site lies adjacent to the north between this proposal and the new GO station, and is also set to become a TOD, or Transit Oriented Development site in the future.
The redevelopment of both the north and south sides of First Avenue here will blend residential, commercial, and public spaces across nine distinct blocks. The buildings would range in height, starting at 14 storeys and gradually ascending to 42. In total, the blocks are proposed to house 5,435 residential units. Ground floor commercial spaces, totalling over 6,500m², would animate streetscapes, offering residents and visitors a plethora of retail and dining options.
On the north side of First Avenue, Blocks 1 and 2 would house mixed-use structures on 3-storey bases and 9-storey podiums, with Block 1 boasting a 30-storey tower and Block 2 boasting a 26-storey tower. Both would feature a combination of one and two-bedroom apartment units, complemented by expansive ground floor commercial spaces.
On the south side of First Avenue, the blocks continue as variations of the same massing scheme with 3-storey bases, (2 storeys in once instance), 9-storey podiums, and towers of varying heights, but with each of these blocks boasting two towers rising from the shared podiums. As one moves south, away from the GO station, the blocks provide less commercial space, becoming fully residential, and with three-bedroom units added to the mix. While POPS (Privately Owned Publicly-accessible Space) have been incorporated into the street plans, Block 9 introduces more greenery through a 1.26-acre public park.
While 3,655 motor vehicle parking spaces have been planned for residents, and an additional 916 spaces are allocated for visitors and commercial purposes, with an eye on sustainability and promoting green transportation, the development is also poised to provide 4,255 bicycle parking spaces.
The towering structures of 144-155 First Avenue are set to stand out not just from the existing low-rise surroundings, but even when juxtaposed with neighbouring development proposals to the west with more modest heights. A proposal at 446 Simcoe Street South is set to rise to 5 storeys, while a little further away, 64 Albany Street is planned at 11 storeys. Adjacent to it, 63 Albany Street is aiming slightly higher with a proposed 15 storeys.
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: | Fotenn Planning + Design, LEA Consulting, Milborne Group, MTE Consultants |
