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Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for First Capital, a pair of residential rental towers that rise from an eight-storey mixed-use podium at 2444 Yonge Street in Midtown Toronto, are under construction. A Minor Variance application has increased its height and density over previously approved plans. Initiated with demolition of older buildings on the site in Spring 2022, excavation began at the site's south end a year later. With the excavation all but complete, construction awaits the next permits.
Looking southeast, below, this aerial drone view from April, 2024 provides a vivid snapshot of the excavation, flanked by the bustling Midtown neighbourhood. Orange tarp drapes the central section of the south shoring wall. Within the pit, two yellow excavators are stationed, while a smaller excavator is positioned near a disposal bin closer to the north end. To the east along Yonge Street, the back side of the retained heritage walls of 2430 and 2434 Yonge Street can be made out. In the background, the skyline is punctuated by multiple tower cranes, notably at the nearby 65 and 75 Broadway Avenue to the east.
This month, a ground-level snapshot through a fence provides a closer view, though few changes. The yellow excavators, now repositioned more centrally within the pit, are parked near a dirt ramp that ascends to the northwest corner. Visible along the shoring walls are rows of tiebacks that create their structural integrity. Above, we see the bracing and protective wrap on the heritage walls. Construction progress is paused pending the finalization of above-ground permits, with a permit for the south-end foundation at 2400 Yonge Street issued on May 3, 2024.
The plans were recently increased in size through a Minor Variance Application approved by the Committee of Adjustment on April 11, 2024, with a cash contribution to the City's Community Benefits fund as a condition for approval. The north tower has grown from 21 to 25 storeys, now to reach 92.1m, while the south tower has increased from 27 storeys to 31, to reach a new height of 114.27m. The Committee of Adjustment issued a Final & Binding Notice earlier this month on May 3, 2024.
The variance adjusts the Gross Floor Area (GFA) upwards from 48,064m² to 52,385m², increasing in the number of dwelling units from 552 to 636, with the unit mix to include 18% bachelor, 46% one-bedroom, 26% two-bedroom, and 10% three-bedroom suites. The larger project aligns with the City's broader objective of densification, particularly in transit-accessible areas. At ground level, the complex will add 6,132.91m² of retail space along the Yonge Street sidewalk.
The approval has led to the introduction of four "short" resident parking spaces, specifically designated for small vehicles, within the underground garage. This adjustment compensates for the removal of two car-share spaces previously planned to meet zoning requirements. The project now includes 190 resident and 62 visitor parking spaces. Bicycle parking capacity has also been slightly increased from 665 to 683 spaces, including 573 long-term and 64 short-term residential spots, as well as 13 long-term and 22 short-term commercial spaces, alongside 11 publicly accessible spots. The changes also include changing some exterior bicycle parking from a ring-and-post design to a bike rack.
The development’s added density reflects its transit-oriented neighbourhood. The site is a brief six-minute walk, or approximately 450m, to Eglinton station on Yonge Line 1 and the soon to open Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database files, 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: | Entuitive, EQ Building Performance Inc., First Capital, Goldberg Group, Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists, Hariri Pontarini Architects, MCW Consultants Ltd, Mulvey & Banani |
