Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction has started on a 725-unit rental housing with 218 new affordable units; the first Housing Now site to break ground on city-owned land in Toronto.
The development of 5207 Dundas St. W. is on city-owned land and construction has been awarded to the Kilmer Group and Tricon Residential. It’s Toronto’s first Housing Now project and by the end of the project the neighborhood will have more than 2,700 new rental homes, a new civic centre, libraries and retail space.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this significant milestone alongside our partners, the City of Toronto, CreateTO and Tricon Residential,” said Ken Tanenbaum, vice-chairman, Kilmer Group. “Not only will this community deliver much-needed housing, it will also create an architectural landmark that all Torontonians will be proud of, thanks to exceptional designs by Henriquez Partners Architects, Smoke Architecture, and Claude Cormier et Associés.
“We’re grateful for the shared commitment by all our partners and consultants in delivering this transformative community.”
“Building more affordable housing is critical to creating a city that’s accessible and inclusive to everyone,” said Mayor Olivia Chow. “The City is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing so that people of all different income levels and occupations can afford to live here.
“As the new Mayor, I’ve made building more affordable housing a top priority. I welcome other orders of government to partner with us as we endeavour to build even more affordable housing for the people of Toronto.”
The site will include a mix of unit types from one-bedroom to four-bedrooms. It will also include retail uses providing amenities and services to support residents’ needs and public spaces for community gatherings and events. In addition, the development will support the City’s climate action objectives and target Toronto Green Standard Version 3, Tier 3, with zero carbon certification.
The city has committed $77 million to decommission the former Six-Points Interchange, also known as the ‘Spaghetti Junction’ in Etobicoke. Six-Points was replaced by a new network of streets, unlocking almost 18 acres of land and creating seven blocks for redevelopment. The 5207 Dundas Street West development is one of five blocks identified for additional rental housing development through Housing Now.
Other blocks include the proposed Etobicoke Civic Centre (ECC) location, a new Toronto Public Library branch, and new City parks. The five development blocks will include at least 2,781 residential homes, 904 of which will be affordable rental homes.
Housing Now is an affordable housing program in Toronto with more than $1.3 billion committed in land value, capital funding and financial incentives.
Since Housing Now was approved in January 2019, 21 prime transit-oriented sites have been identified, 10 of these sites have been re-zoned and market offerings have been completed for six of them. Construction at two other shovel-ready sites, 50 Wilson Heights Blvd. and 140 Merton St., is expected to begin before the end of this year.
“Many Torontonians are struggling with finding affordable housing that meets their needs. Housing Now allows us to improve housing affordability and better support people and families in the greatest need of housing,” said Councillor Paula Fletcher. “Together with our community, private and government partners, we are working to create diverse housing options that will benefit every Torontonian and improve the overall livability of our city.”
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