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There are a growing number of development proposals along Sheppard Avenue East in North York, as land owners and developers have their properties' potential reassessed now that areas around subway stations have been cleared for increased density with the establishment of Major Transit Station Areas. Now, Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for 461 Sheppard Avenue East aim to rezone the gas station site across from Bayview subway station for a 43-storey mixed-use tower.
The site, a rectangular parcel with a lot area of approximately 2,200m², is situated at the southwest corner of Bayview Avenue and Sheppard Avenue East intersection. It is currently occupied site of an Esso Gas Station and an associated convenience store. The proposed development, designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects for 461 Sheppard Avenue East Properties Inc., is poised to introduce a building comprising 526 residential units and 390m² of ground-level retail space. The tower would reach a height of 141m, anchored by a tiered 3- and 6-storey podium. The proposed tower's architecture incorporates step-backs at the fourth, seventh, and eighth storeys, aimed at reducing the building mass as it rises, while creating a transition to the neighbouring low-rise neighbourhood to the south and east.
The proposal is designed to accommodate 120 vehicle parking spaces across three levels of underground garage, with 113 for residents and 7 for retail and visitors, along with 422 bicycle parking spots, including 371 for residents and 51 for visitors and retail customers. The proposal would provide amenity area totalling 2,104m², split evenly between indoor and outdoor facilities, and distributed on the second, fourth, and seventh floors. The building would be equipped with five elevators, with approximately one elevator for every 105 units, aligning closely with the threshold of 100 units per elevator, indicating not overly-long wait times.
The location of 461 Sheppard Avenue East within the Major Transit Station Area for Bayview Station underlines its potential in the urbanizing landscape of North York. Besides being positioned across the street from Bayview subway station on Sheppard Line 4, the location is also a very short drive from Highway 401. The site is therefore a likely candidate for high-density redevelopment.
In recent years, the neighbourhood around the site has witnessed a diverse mix of building forms as it redevelops, often with assemblies of single-detached housing being demolished in favour of high-rise developments. If approved at this height, 461 Sheppard East would be the tallest building in the area. Across Sheppard to the immediate north, two towers at 500 Sheppard Avenue East have been approved for 37 and 41 storeys. Other nearby proposals includea 14-storey building at 589 Sheppard Avenue East, while there are six buildings planned to infill parking areas at Bayview Village Mall at the northeast corner of the intersection, set to range from 6 to 30 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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