Finch and Victoria Park avenue form the south and west sides of Scarborough’s Chester Le neighbourhood, and it is just east of the intersection of these two major arterials in northeastern Toronto where 95 Developments is proposing the replacement of a commercial plaza with a mixed-use residential and commercial development, The Garden Series on Finch. Designed by TAES Architect, the condo, office, and retail proposal is situated at 2930 through 2948 Finch Avenue East, a short drive from Highways 401 or 404, or about a half hour bus commute to Don Mills subway station on Sheppard Line 4.
Looking southwest to The Garden Series on Finch, designed by TAES Architect Inc for 95 Developments
The plaza currently on the site of approximately 13,552m² in area features fast food outlets, a Beer Store and am LCBO location, convenience stores, and second space for a number of doctors offices and various small businesses. Fronting Finch Avenue a surface parking lot.
Looking north to the current site from Finch Avenue, image from submission to City of Toronto
The design structures the development as a trio of towers with heights of 10-storeys (a 41.55m-tall mid-rise), 16-storeys (a 58.5m-tall tower), and 28 storeys (a 94.9m-tall high-rise). They would all rise from a shared 7-storey (26m) U-shaped podium, collectively offering 748 residential units. The design is intended to optimize space, offering new residential accommodation of 34,112m² while retaining commercial space at ground level of 4,594m².
Looking northwest to The Garden Series on Finch, designed by TAES Architect Inc for 95 Developments
The development would feature two levels of below-grade parking and additional parking at grade, totalling 594 motor vehicle spaces, includes 44 spots for visitors and retail, as well as provisions for Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) and barrier-free spaces. In line with the City of Toronto's requirements, 573 bicycle parking spaces are also planned, with 513 long-term spaces allocated for residents and 60 short-term spaces for residential visitor and retail use.
Site plan, The Garden Series on Finch, designed by TAES Architect Inc for 95 Developments
The development would be equipped with seven elevators in total, with roughly one elevator for every 107 units. Residential amenities would offer 1,496m² each of indoor and outdoor area. The amenities, coupled with the commercial components at the ground level of the podium, including retail, office, and live-work units, add to the development's streetscape. Outdoor amenities at grade would be located along the building's northern edge, adjacent to indoor amenities, and provide a buffer between the site and the townhouses to the north. A 1,236m² public parkette is planned in the northeast corner of the site which would park would be accessed by a new public street on the east side of the property.
An aerial view looking southeast, designed by TAES Architect Inc for 95 Developments
The site is served by five TTC buses, in addition to one York Region Transit bus route. These provide access to Don Mills, Finch, and Victoria Park stations on Sheppard Line 4, Yonge Line 1, and Danforth Line 2 respectively.
Aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto
The L'Amoreaux area, of which the Chester Le neighbourhood is a part, is historically a suburban residential area developed between the 1960s and 1970s. The greater area is witnessing a gradual transformation to a more urban environment along its main streets. Notable nearby projects include the 15 and 16-storey towers under construction at 3050 Pharmacy Avenue and the proposed with a 25-storey tower at 2575 Pharmacy Avenue. Further east, 20 Stonehill Court is proposed with towers reaching 29 storeys, signifying the area’s transition to higher-density living at major intersections.
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: | LEA Consulting, Platinum Condo Deals, RWDI Climate and Performance Engineering, TAES Architect Inc., Weston Consulting |