CAMH, or the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, is breaking ground on the construction of the last buildings as part of its transformation of its Queen Street West campus, with the Ontario Government making a substantial $1.6 billion investment in support. A massive seven-building redevelopment project of the 27-acre site in the Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood, the provincial funding is in addition to donations made through CAMH's No One Left Behind campaign.

New facilities of CAMH in colour, among earlier buildings in white at the CAMH Queen Street Redevelopment site, image courtesy of CAMH

Today's ground breaking ceremony was attended by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minster of Health, Kinga Surma, Minister of Infrastructure, and Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, at CAMH’s site at the corner of Queen Street West and Shaw Street. Ford expressed that the project “represents a significant milestone in our government’s plan to connect more people to high-quality mental health supports that meet their needs.”

Looking south along Shaw Street to construction preparation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor cereal

Sarah Downey, President and CEO of CAMH, stated, “The physical transformation of our Queen Street West site is turning what was once a walled institution into a symbol of hope for the future of mental health care. CAMH will continue to provide the highest quality care to our most complex patients and accelerate research discoveries and developments that will improve the lives of those living with mental illness, because mental health is health.” 

Construction of buildings identified as G1A, H, and I in the site plan, image coutesy of CAMH

Overlooking Shaw Street from behind a section of the historic wall that once enclosed the grounds, and identified as building I on the site plan above, the Discovery Centre is poised to become a hub for mental health research, consolidating CAMH's research endeavours into a single state-of-the-art location. Designed by KPMB Architects and TreanorHL, this seven-storey building set to stand 41.6m aims to foster innovation and collaboration, with its design promoting a seamless integration of research, education, and patient care. The four-storey Research Sanctuary within the centre will offer a loft-like workspace designed to inspire creativity and discovery, while the two-storey Pavilion in the Park will provide communal and clinical spaces in a glass-enclosed setting.

 

Looking west to the CAMH Discovery Centre, designed by KMPB and TreanorHL Architects for CAMH

The Discovery Centre, with its curvilinear, wood-timber design, will span approximately 36,171m². The building will include the Research Roots Foundation, a communal Pavilion, an innovative Research Sanctuary, and the Beacon – a rooftop space dedicated to knowledge exchange and events.

The Secure Care and Recovery Building, identified as building H in the site plan above, is poised to enhance CAMH’s forensic mental health services. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, it is set to stand at seven storeys at 60.3m, and will cater specifically to individuals within the legal system due to mental health issues, enhancing the integration of care, security, and rehabilitation. The 200-bed facility will feature dedicated family visitation areas, enclosed outdoor spaces for therapeutic activities, outpatient services, and advanced security measures, ensuring a safe and conducive environment for recovery.

Looking northwest to the CAMH Secure Care and Recovery Building, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for CAMH

A third project, the expansion of the existing Doctor's Association Building, identified as building G1A in the site plan above and also designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects, will take place just to the west of the Secure Care and Recovery Building. All three of the buildings are being constructed by PCL Construction.

CAMH Doctor's Association Building Expansion and Parking Garage, Toronto, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for CAMH

The buildings are anticipated for completion for 2027.

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:

Blackwell, Counterpoint Engineering, Diamond Schmitt Architects, entro, LiveRoof Ontario Inc, PCL Construction, Urban Strategies Inc.