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The City of Toronto's Committee of Adjustment's recent approval of minor variance applications for 777 Victoria Park Avenue marks another step in addressing the housing crisis. Part of the City’s Housing Now initiative, the variances allow for an additional 197 units over the previous number for a total of 705 rental units in 12- and 35-storey towers at the Danforth Line 2 subway station. Developed by CreateTO, Toronto’s real estate portfolio manager, and designed by Sweeny &Co Architects Inc., it would bring substantial residential and community-focused spaces to the East End’s Oakridge neighbourhood.
Launched by the City of Toronto in December, 2018, Housing Now leverages City-owned lands for the creation of mixed-use, mixed-income communities. As one of the original sites identified under this initiative, 777 Victoria Park Avenue would contribute to the City's housing goals, as outlined in the HousingTO 2020-2030 Action Plan. It would ensure that the land remains in public ownership in perpetuity.
Situated on the northeast corner of Victoria Park Avenue and Denton Avenue, the parcel spans approximately 8,002m² and currently serves as a surface parking lot used by commuters using Victoria Park station. The surrounding area includes both low-rise buildings and single-family homes, as well as Tower-in-the-Park developments from the time the subway line was built through the area.
Initially proposed in 2019 with heights of 11 and 23 storeys and 508 residential units, half of the units were designated as affordable. After being presented to the Design Review Panel (DRP) later that year and receiving Zoning By-law approval, the project faced challenges including the pandemic and increased construction costs that resulted in delays. In May, 2024, the development was brought forward to the DRP again, earning praise for its latest design.
This iteration comprises two towers at 12 (50.2m) and 35 storeys (114.2m). Collectively, they would house 705 rental units, divided into 256 affordable rentals in the 12-storey tower and 449 market-rate rentals in the 35-storey structure.
Key amenities showcase the community-oriented nature of the project, including a 430m² community centre, a 928m² day nursery, and 306m² of commercial space positioned adjacent to the subway entrance. The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) is planned at approximately 49,700m².
The design entails four elevators for the 35-storey tower, and two elevators in the 12-storey tower. This would yield approximately one elevator for every 112 and 128 units respectively, indicating longer than preferable wait times for residents, particularly in the shorter tower.
With one level of underground garage offering 111 spaces, it would include 35 spaces for residents and 56 for visitor parking. To replace the current commuter parking, the development plan includes a provisional arrangement to use a portion of the parking facilities at Dentonia Park Golf Course for station commuters.
The site is also a ten-minute subway ride plus walk to Danforth GO station, about a kilometre and a half to the southwest, expanding commuter options and better linking the buildings to the Greater Toronto Area.
Immediately south of the site, proposed developments at 39 and 1 Thora Avenue include townhouses and commercial spaces, reaching 3 and 7 storeys respectively, while 3089 Danforth Avenue is slated for a 7-storey building. Further south, CreateTO’s Birchley Park, a mixed-use community featuring affordable housing, is under construction, consisting of 8 buildings ranging from 3 to 12 storeys.
To the east, proposals at 3359 and 3258 Danforth Avenue call for 6 and 7 storeys respectively. To the west, near the Main Street subway and Danforth GO stations, larger-scale developments are taking shape: 2720 Danforth Avenue proposes 9 storeys, 9 Dawes Road aims for 28 and 34 storeys, and 8 Dawes Road would reach 38 storeys. The Dawes is under construction with towers at 24 and 43 storeys, while 2681 and 2721 Danforth Avenue are planned at top heights of 48 and 59 storeys respectively.
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: | Alterra Group of Companies, LEA Consulting, Sweeny &Co Architects Inc. |
