Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government has launched an open market process to find a development partner for a transit-oriented community (TOC) at the Ontario Line’s future Queen-Spadina station.
The process, which began June 10, seeks private-sector proposals to build two mixed-use residential towers of 14 and 15 storeys above the new subway station. The province says the TOC will add approximately 214 new housing units, create about 60 jobs, and reduce taxpayer costs by leveraging private investment to help fund station construction.
“Our government is protecting Ontario by creating more housing and jobs closer to transit stations,” Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said in a statement. “We’re partnering with the private sector to build two mixed-use residential buildings at one of Toronto’s most iconic intersections while preserving the area’s heritage landscape and vibrant history.”
The towers will be directly connected to the Ontario Line station and the TTC’s Spadina streetcar route. Plans include office and retail space, as well as more than 215 bicycle parking spots. The site is within walking distance of neighbourhoods such as Kensington Market and Chinatown, as well as nearby cultural and sports venues.
Developers interested in the project have until July 22 to submit expressions of interest. Infrastructure Ontario is leading the competitive, broker-led solicitation process.
The Queen-Spadina project is part of a broader provincial plan to develop TOCs at 12 future subway stations along the Ontario Line, Yonge North Subway Extension and Scarborough Subway Extension. In total, these developments are expected to add 56,000 new homes and support approximately 75,000 jobs.
The province says the TOC model is aimed at increasing transit ridership, easing congestion and spurring economic growth. The approach has been used in cities including Vancouver, London, Sydney and Washington, D.C.
“The Ontario Line isn’t just about shortening commute times — it’s about building complete communities,” said Michael Lindsay, interim president and CEO of Metrolinx. “This planned development at a bustling downtown intersection will put more housing, jobs and retail space within easy reach of fast, reliable transit.”
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the announcement, calling the development an example of how governments can work together to make the city more livable.
“This new transit-oriented community will create hundreds of new homes for Toronto families, with easy access to public transit options including the new Ontario Line and Spadina streetcar,” Chow said.
Once completed, the 15.6-kilometre Ontario Line is expected to accommodate nearly 400,000 trips per day.
