A proposal from Mattamy Homes is set to join North York City Centre's diverse architectural landscape that has been developing over the past two decades. Amidst the older low-rise commercial buildings alongside newer mid-rise and high-rise developments, the upward trajectory and trend towards greater density is poised to continue with 26 Hounslow Avenue. Designed by Studio JCI for Mattamy, this 24-storey residential condominium would be located within the Major Transit Station Area for Finch station, providing good transit access to the Greater Toronto Area.
Situated on the northeast corner of Hounslow Avenue and Beecroft Road in Willowdale, the site, spanning approximately 2,160m², currently hosts single- and two-storey detached houses across four properties municipally known as 26, 28, 36, and 38 Hounslow Avenue.
The application history of 26 Hounslow Avenue acts as a microcosm of the neighbourhood's evolution. Mattamy's plans for the site evolved from a stacked townhouse development to a 10-storey mid-rise standing 38.76m with 111 units, to the current proposal set to stand 79.75m and house 305 residential units. The new design features three elevators, resulting in approximately one elevator for every 102 units.
The current Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications call for a 24-storey building, incorporating a 5-storey pedestrian-scale podium topped by a 19-storey tower. A step-back on the west side of the tower is intended to smooth the transition to adjacent properties and help break up the massing of the building.
The building boasts 1,350m² of amenity space, including 611m² indoors and 739m² outdoors. The amenity areas would be found on the first, second, and mechanical penthouse levels, with the outdoor spaces of the first two storeys acting as a multi-level amenity area connected by stairs.
In response to the City’s ambitious targets for sustainable energy and transit oriented development, Mattamy emphasizes their goals of carbon reduction and leveraging the site’s transit-rich context with plans to incorporate a geothermal heating and cooling system, while also featuring eco-friendly transportation options like an electric vehicle (EV) car and bike-share program.
Located within a 7-minute walking distance of Finch station, residents will have easy access to Yonge Line 1 and numerous TTC, YRT/Viva, and GO buses. The upcoming Yonge North Subway Extension will further enhance connectivity, making travel into York Region easier.
Parking is also addressed in the proposal, with a two-level below-grade garage accommodating 80 spaces, including 60 for residents, 17 for visitors, 9 accessible spots, and 1 car-share space. Additionally, the development is set to include 264 bicycle parking spaces, comprised of 230 long-term and 34 short-term spots.
The surrounding area of 26 Hounslow Avenue is experiencing a wave of growth and densification. Nearby developments, such as 5400 Yonge Street to the southeast proposed at 32 storeys, and 5576 Yonge Street closer to Finch station proposed at 35 storeys, showcase this trend. South of the site, proposals for Bella Condominiums and 5320 Yonge Street hint at even further growth, set to stand at 43 and 45 storeys respectively.
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.
* * *
UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
Related Companies: | Bousfields, EQ Building Performance Inc., Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists, Mattamy Homes, MEP Design Inc. |