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After reflecting on the entirety of 2024 in yesterday’s series of year-in-review articles, today UrbanToronto turns its focus to the month that wrapped up the year. December brought a mix of new proposals, transit updates, and transformative urban projects, showcasing the ongoing evolution of Toronto and the Greater Golden Horseshoe region.
Last year's most-read stories were not confined to the day they were published. January saw more entries in our annual Top 24 News Stories than any other month, illustrating how our coverage serves as a long-term reference for readers. Similarly, December’s top stories feature several articles from October and November, showing how their significance extends beyond their publication date.
From transit-oriented communities to transformative redevelopments, the trends driving December’s top stories reflect the themes that shaped 2024 and are set to define the year ahead. Let's take a closer look at our top stories for December.
Kicking off the top 10 is one of two stories from late November, 2024 covering large-scale developments in Markham: a pair of proposals east of Beaver Creek in the Woodside area include the four-tower proposal at 3085 Highway 7, as well as the sprawling Markham Woodside Redevelopment, coming in at #11. Situated within the Major Transit Station Areas for the York Region Transit's VIVA bus rapid transit (BRT) Woodbine and Montgomery stops, the proposal calls for over 3,114 units across buildings ranging from 4 to 30 storeys. Designed by Urban Strategies Inc. for SmartCentres REIT and Choice Properties REIT, the proposal has been revised since its initial submission in 2021 that ranged from 20 to 31 storeys.
11. Masterplanned Community in Markham Would Replace Big Box Centre
The top 10 stories highlight transit-oriented growth, including Ontario Line 3’s continued progress and proposals in Oakville, Markham, and Hamilton emphasizing closeness to transit in shaping denser, more accessible communities. Meanwhile, redevelopments are reimagining underutilized spaces, such as big-box retail sites and aging malls, into large, mixed-use neighbourhoods. One such case is at #10, where Harrison Equity Partners proposes to transform Hamilton’s Eastgate Square into a transit-oriented community of towers up to 20 storeys, located near the eastern terminus of the future Hamilton LRT B-Line.
10. Eastgate Square Redevelopment Would Transform Hamilton Mall
9. 16-Tower Community Proposed East of Oakville GO
In Mississauga’s M City community, M3 climbed to #8 on the list as it climbs to its final height of 81 storeys, poised to surpass EX1 at Exchange District Condos as the city’s tallest tower.
8. M3 at M City Growing, Soon to be Mississauga's Tallest Tower
7. Proposal Bumped to 61 Storeys Near Crosstown LRT's Mount Pleasant Station
6. Quartet of Towers Would be Tallest Near Sheppard-Yonge Station
At Yonge and Bloor, the latest chapter for The One saw Tridel announced as development manager, coming in at #5. The developer was appointed by receiver Alvarez & Marsal to resolve financial and operational challenges. While court approval is anticipated early this year, this move signals continued progress for the project, now targeting a final height of 85 storeys.
5. Tridel Selected as Development Manager to Complete The One
Meanwhile, at #4 and #3 are a pair of developments proposing to convert underutilized office space into high-rises at 135 St Clair Avenue West and 111 Peter Street:
4. 49-Storey Rental Tower Would Replace Mid-Century Office Building at Avenue & St Clair
3. 52-Storey Proposal Would Convert Office Building at Richmond and Peter
In the runner-up spot are Atria Development's Centra Sites A and B proposals in Downtown Oshawa. Featuring towers ranging from 25 to 37 storeys designed by A& Architects, the mixed-use developments anticipate expanded GO train service with the area's emergence as a transit-oriented urban hub. Though the news is from late October, 2024, the story article gained local attention throughout December, in an example of how suburban growth resonates with UrbanToronto’s readership beyond Toronto.
2. Atria Development Proposes Four Towers in Downtown Oshawa
At #1 is the latest progress on the Ontario Line, Canada’s largest and most expensive rapid transit project. While the elevated sections in Thorncliffe Park and Flemingdon Park are in preparatory stages, visible construction downtown includes stabilized heritage walls at King-Bathurst station and active work on the last emergency exit shaft near Liberty Village.
1. Magnum Opus: Construction Along the Length of Ontario Line 3
We will be back at the beginning of February for a recap of January's top news stories, Database files, and Forum threads!
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UrbanToronto has a research service, UTPro, that provides comprehensive data on development projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe — 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.
