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Today is McDonald’s McHappy Day, the company’s annual nationwide fundraising campaign supporting Ronald McDonald House Charities and family support programs across Canada, and coinciding with that, updated plans were recently filed for the major expansion of Ronald McDonald House at 240 McCaul Street in Downtown Toronto. Designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects, the resubmitted proposal would replace the existing building with a hybrid residential and institutional facility for families with children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. While the revised scheme increases the McCaul Street tower element from 18 to 19 storeys, it simultaneously reduces the planned Gross Floor Area (GFA).
The 4,286m² site on the west side of McCaul Street between College Street and Dundas Street West extends west through to Henry Street in Toronto's Health Sciences District. The existing facility, which opened in 2011, currently provides 81 bedrooms. The surrounding area forms part of an intensifying institutional and mixed-use corridor with hospitals, University of Toronto buildings, student housing, and high-rise development activity around Queen’s Park, College Street, and University Avenue.
Initial applications were submitted in May, 2022, proposing an 18-storey building connected to a 6-storey Henry Street wing through a two-storey link structure. With updated planning policies now in force through the Provincial Planning Statement 2024 and Toronto’s recently approved PMTSA framework (the site is within the PMTSAs of Queens park and St Patrick stations), Miller Thomson has resubmitted applications for Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment, and Site Plan Approval to the City of Toronto on behalf of the developer.
The revised scheme continues to organize the development around a taller McCaul Street tower element linked to a lower west wing along Henry Street, though the overall massing has been notably reworked. The Henry Street component was reduced from 6 to 4 storeys in response to community and City feedback regarding transition to the surrounding areas, while the McCaul Street portion was increased from 18 to 19 storeys. The revised building would rise 66.14m, up from 62.8m previously. The revised design would simplify the tower floor-plate and remove much of the previously proposed tower step-back, replacing it with a recessed central portion intended to visually break up the east elevation.
Despite the additional storey, the redesign substantially reduces the overall size of the project. Total GFA was reduced from 24,908m² to 20,719m², including 19,522m² of residential GFA and 1,197m² of office space, compared to 23,613m² of residential GFA and 1,295m² of office space previously proposed. Floor Space Index decreases from 5.81 to 4.83 times coverage of the site. The development would still have 200 suites intended for families with children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals, maintaining the same unit breakdown of 179 one-bedroom suites and 21 two-bedroom suites. Planning materials describe the project as a hybrid residential and institutional facility incorporating communal kitchens, classrooms, library space, fitness facilities, laundry areas, courtyards, gathering spaces, and office space.
Several internal and built form revisions were introduced through the resubmission process to preserve the 200-suite target. Lounge space previously proposed on each tower floor was removed, alongside one full amenity level within the McCaul Street tower element. The ground floor layout was revised, with the McCaul entrance vestibule shifted eastward. A former boardroom space at grade was eliminated in favour of additional lounge space facing McCaul Street.
Indoor amenity space decreased from 1,017m² to 684m², while outdoor amenity space was reduced from 1,240m² to 1,099m². The development would contain a single underground level, along with 10 vehicular parking spaces, reduced from 13. Bicycle parking would remain unchanged at 14 long-term spaces. Vertical circulation would be provided through five elevators, resulting in one cab for every 40 suites.
The site is approximately 240m from University Line 1’s Queen’s Park station and roughly 510m from St Patrick station. The 506 Carlton streetcar route stops approximately 85m north along College Street.
The proposal is part of institutional and mixed-use intensification in the area. To the west, nearby applications include the 3-storey Koffler Health & Wellness Expansion for the University of Toronto, alongside residential proposals rising 30 storeys at 243 College Street and 45 storeys at 191 College Street. To the north, the University of Toronto is advancing plans for the 11-storey Temerty Building on King’s College Circle, while to the east, major redevelopment activity continues with the twin-tower proposal at 700 University Avenue at 24 and 57 storeys, alongside the 60-storey redevelopment proposed at 149 College Street.
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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