Sustainability is more than a trendy buzzword; It is a necessary transition to a future where urban life and nature support each other. Amexon Development Corporation’s The Residences at Central Park is a groundbreaking response to growing calls from both the City of Toronto and environmental activists for more sustainable urban development. Located on the northwest corner of Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue East, the 12-acre master-planned community will serve as a beacon for sustainable living and champion a groundbreaking initiative – comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Looking northeast at the Residences at Central Park designed by Core Architects for Amexon
In a recent interview, Ashling Evans, General Manager of Development at Amexon, reflected on the early stages of the project. “It presented us with a real challenge. From the initial conception, we were forward-thinking and knew we wanted to include electric vehicle charging stations in all areas of development.”
Evans explained Amexon’s ambitious goal of installing electric vehicle infrastructure in all parking lots: “We wanted to be the first major project in Canada – or even North America – to be an industry leader and install electric vehicle charging stations in all parking lots.” This applied to all residents, visitors and office tenants as well as retail customers of the restaurants and cafes.”
Electric vehicle charging station, image courtesy of Amexon
Collaboration with electrical engineers and Toronto Hydro, complex load distribution calculations, smart metering and state-of-the-art payment solutions with app use reflect the planning involved. The goal of installing over 1,500 parking stations is far beyond the scope of EV station installations that most developments offer. Evans further commented on the current reality that a staggering 60% increase in electric vehicle sales last year is coupled with the stark reality that “condo owners in 95% of condo developments do not have the option to charge their parking spaces with electric vehicles.”
As a member of the Canada Green Building Council, Amexon has always integrated green technologies into its practices, from green roofs and rainwater recovery to next-generation mechanical systems. Evans emphasized that “the most important green issue for many buyers is the availability of electric vehicles. They want to keep up with the automotive industry’s electric vehicle trend – and we want to be there with them.”
An aerial view looking east of the Residences at Central Park, designed by Core Architects for Amexon
The impact of this initiative goes beyond just energy savings. By creating an environment that encourages the adoption of sustainable practices and provides easy access to electric vehicle charging stations, the buyer and the community at large will benefit. Evans concluded that “creating a seamless EV user experience will drive usage. So the buyer wins and the environment wins.”
With Highway 401 and Don Valley Parkway in close proximity, local electric vehicle users can expect seamless connectivity. The nearby Bayview Village Shopping Center is also within easy driving distance: proximity to Central Park to TTC buses, the Leslie subway station on Sheppard Line 4, and the soon-to-be-relocated Oriole GO station are not just convenience emphasize commuting and general transportation while facilitating an eco-friendly lifestyle.
The Leslie and Oriole GO stations are located next to Central Park, image courtesy of Amexon
Once completed, the Central Park community, designed by Core Architects, will consist of five towering buildings ranging in height from 12 to 31 stories. Together, the towers will house 1,478 units. Central Park Common – a carefully landscaped urban park with features such as reflecting pools in the summer that allow for skating in the winter, events such as farmers markets are also planned – each element is designed to strengthen community cohesion while emphasizing the importance of sustainability reflects. Indoors, the Park Club is intended to be a refuge for residents and has an expansive 5,110 m² of usable space and a further 465 m² that serves as a co-working facility.
Central Park Common, image courtesy of Amexon
UrbanToronto will continue to monitor the progress of this development, but in the meantime you can learn more in our database file linked below. If you’d like, you can join the discussion in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the designated area on this page.
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