​In recent months, UrbanToronto has covered Transit-Oriented Communities (TOCs) planned for new transit stations around Toronto, especially along Ontario Line 3 stations like at Eastern Avenue (East Harbour station), Thorncliffe Park, Pape, Cosburn, and Gerrard-Carlaw. Shifting focus to the east, our attention today turns to the new Lawrence East station on the Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) of Danforth Line 2, now under construction. Late last week, a proposal was released for a TOC at the southeast corner of Lawrence Avenue East and McCowan Road beside the new station in Scaroborugh's Bendale South neighbourhood.

Looking southeast to the Lawrence East TOC, designed by Weston Wiliamson + Partners and Arcadis for Infrastructure Ontario

Addressed to 3091 Lawrence Avenue East, the TOC spans approximately one hectare in area, and is currently home to a single-storey commercial structure facing the intersection, along with a two-storey commercial plaza situated to the south. The surroundings are predominantly suburban, marked by a mix of low-rise residential, parks, and commercial lining its arterial roads, while dominant at the northwest corner of the intersection is the Scarborough General Hospital.

Looking southeast to the current site, image from Google Maps

The Lawrence East TOC is a development within the broader scope of the SSE project that extends the reach of Danforth Line 2 much further into Scarborough while replacing the rapid transit service previously provided by the Scarborough RT which was shuttered in August, 2023. The Danforth Line 2 extension will improve connectivity with direct-to-Downtown service plus three new subway stations while interchanging with many bus routes.

Designed by Weston Wiliamson + Partners and Arcadis for Infrastructure Ontario, the Lawrence East TOC proposal comprises three mixed-use towers — two at 24 storeys and one at 36 storeys, reaching heights of 86.5m and 132m — rising from a shared six-storey podium. Together, they would house 774 residential units, supported by 2,160m² of indoor and 2,166m² of rooftop outdoor amenity areas. In addition, directly south of the buildings would be a 1,047m² public park.

Site plan, designed by Arcadis for Infrastructure Ontario

Below grade, a two-level underground garage would provide 228 motor vehicle parking spaces alongside 603 bicycle spots. The development's ground level would activate McCowan Road with 1,405m² of retail space, while the podium would include 6,444m² of office space, with the application’s Planning Rationale noting that this could potentially cater to healthcare-related uses given the proximity to Scarborough General Hospital.

Looking south through the streetscape, design by Weston Wiliamson + Partners and Arcadis for Infrastructure Ontario

With a total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 58,481m², there would be four elevators per residential tower, entailing approximately 1 elevator for every 65 units. In addition, there would be two elevators dedicated to the commercial space and two for the transit connection, with the main station entrance planned at the southwest corner of the site, with a direct climate controlled link.

Diagram of underground parking and subway access, image from submission to City of Toronto

Besides the future Lawrence East subway station, the transit framework surrounding the TOC includes primary TTC bus routes along Lawrence Avenue and McCowan Road. The proposal notes two development applications within 1km of the site. To the west, a 14-storey, 391-unit building at 799 Brimley Road is proposed to replace the existing plaza onsite. Eastward, Greencedar Commons is an 11-storey residential building proposed at 3379-3385 Lawrence Avenue East. These submissions are early indicators of a gradual shift towards greater density along the arterial roads here.

Aerial view of the site and surrounding area context, image from submission to City of Toronto

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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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.​​​