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In a neighbourhood that has seen little new housing development for nearly half a century, Tenblock is set to reimagine Steeles and Dufferin with an ambitious three-tower proposal at 1875 Steeles Avenue West. Originally submitted in October, 2020, the project is now poised to reach the North York Community Council on July 9, 2024, with a positive City staff report recommending approval. The refined vision for the site is the result of nearly four years of collaboration with area Councillor James Pasternak, tenants, and the local community, with the developer looking to add a sustainable and striking new point on the North York skyline.
The existing 4-storey, 120-unit purpose-built rental building at 1875 Steeles Avenue West, constructed in 1973, presents an opportunity for transformation. The current site configuration, with its limited amenities, and limited access to the adjacent valleylands, leaves room for improvement in both resident experience and community interaction.
Tenblock's redevelopment proposal, designed by BDP Quadrangle, features three towers rising 14, 33, and 39 storeys, reaching up to 129.65m in height, developed in collaboration with Senior Planner Stephen Gardiner of Community Planning. It is set to house a total of 960 apartments, including 120 rental replacement units and 12 new affordable apartments. The site is located within a 10-minute walk to major employers in the Duke Heights BIA, and is only a 15-minute bus ride to York University.
The proposed design maximizes public realm spaces through a comprehensive landscaping plan by Alexander Budrevics & Associates. The southern boundary of the site will feature a POPS (Privately-Owned, Publicly-accessible Space) spanning 520m², and a public parkland dedication of 1,050m².
Along the eastern edge, Tenblock will dedicate a ravine land conveyance of 1,979m² to the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA), to be re-naturalized with 385 new trees and 900 new shrubs, along with a 275m² landscaping renovation of the adjacent G Ross Lord Park trailhead. The northern and western edges will be enhanced by nearly 1,400m² of public realm improvements, including terraced landscaping and 22 new street trees.
Tenblock has developed a best-in-class rental replacement program in close collaboration with City Staff, including Senior Planner Johanna Hashim (Housing). Eligible tenants currently residing at 1875 Steeles Avenue West will have the opportunity to move back into the new building, with a tenant relocation and assistance package aiming to provide a smooth transition during construction. Returning tenants will be offered similar apartments, both in size and rent, to their previous units, complete with modern amenities such as air conditioning, in-suite laundry, and access to amenities. Residents will have access to 1,920m² of shared outdoor amenity space and indoor amenity spaces tailored to each building.
The proposal includes state-of-the-art cycling facilities with a dedicated entrance and a new Bike Share station along Steeles Avenue West, encouraging residents to use the extensive trail and park network adjacent to the site. The site itself will offer 722 bicycle parking spaces and 779 vehicle spaces. Future residents will also benefit from recently approved bus rapid transit improvements, while the redevelopment will also improve pedestrian safety and enjoyment along Steeles Avenue West and throughout the property.
Over the past two years, Tenblock's projects have shown an increased commitment to sustainability and human-centred design, and that emphasis continues in this latest proposal. The developer is pushing the sustainability envelope by pursuing geo-exchange heating and cooling, with the goal of creating one of the most environmentally friendly new communities in North York. Tenblock's aim is that this project will reinforce the company's position as a leader in sustainable development, aligning itself with the City’s push for progressive urban growth, from the downtown core to its northernmost edge.
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: | BDP Quadrangle, Bousfields, Clark Construction Management Inc, EQ Building Performance Inc., Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists, Grounded Engineering Inc., Tenblock, Unison Group |
