Montez Corporation has submitted plans to the City of Toronto for a 61-story residential tower at 1243 Islington Avenue. This is the tallest design surrounding the Islington subway station in this part of Etobicoke's regenerating city center. Designed by Sweeny &Co Architects, the site is located in the protected mainline area of ​​the station, directly opposite the subway entrance.
Looking northeast at 1243 Islington Avenue, designed by Sweeny & Co Architects for Montez Corp
Located on the northeast corner of Islington Avenue and Aberfoyle Crescent, the site is currently home to a 12-story medical office building, reflecting Etobicoke's mid-century role as a suburban employment center centered around Islington train station. Over the last decade, there have been initial renovation proposals for the neighboring blocks, some of which are mixed uses with significantly increased residential density. The Goldberg Group has now submitted an application to change the building regulations on behalf of the site owner.
Looking northeast at the current location. The image was retrieved from Google Maps
The proposal called for the demolition of the twelve-story medical office building and replacing it with a 61-story tower rising above a six- to nine-story podium 600 feet (198.8 m) high. The total gross floor area of ​​the building would be 47,966 m², which corresponds to an area index of 18.1 times the coverage of the 2,646 m² site. The plans call for a floor area of ​​approximately 815 m², larger than the Toronto tall building guideline of 750 m². The residential lobby would face the corner of Islington Avenue and Aberfoyle Crescent and wrap around the southwest corner to be clearly visible from both fronts.
Looking northwest at the podium designed by Sweeny &Co Architects for Montez Corp
Inside the building there would be 719 condominiums, ranging from studios to three-bedroom apartments. The mix includes 55 studios, 353 one-bedroom apartments, 237 two-bedroom apartments and 74 three-bedroom apartments. Vertical circulation would be supported by five elevators, which would provide approximately one cabin per 144 units and would require very high-speed motors to operate adequately. The amenities would be spread over 1,230 m² of indoor and 933 m² of outdoor space and would be located on the ground, third and ninth floors. Below grade, three underground levels would accommodate 98 parking spaces, 89 for residents and 9 for visitors, as well as four pickup and drop-off spots near the lobby entrance. There are a total of 540 bicycle parking spaces, of which 480 are permanent and 51 short-term spaces.
Ground floor floor plan designed by Sweeny &Co Architects for Montez Corp
The location is directly opposite Islington Station on Bloor Line 2, less than 45m from the tube entrance. In addition, several TTC bus routes serve the area, providing north-south and east-west service through Etobicoke. Bicycle access was improved by the recent Bloor Street West Complete Street expansion, which introduced continuous, physically separated bike paths connecting the site to the city-wide network, although these paths are under threat from the provincial government.
An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to the City of Toronto
The proposal joins and stands out among a growing group of high-rise projects transforming the Etobicoke Center. Immediately to the west, Islington station site is being redeveloped to accommodate the bus station in more modern, less space-consuming spaces. Where the current Islington bus station is located at 3326 Bloor Street West, a future City Housing Now site is planned with four proposed towers ranging from 32 to 55 stories. Verve Bloor is planned to be 18 storeys south of the station. To the northwest, 25 Mabelle Avenue is planned at 49 stories, and 4975 Dundas Street West is planned at 48 stories, while 12 Cordova and Westerly Condos are under construction at 26 and 27 stories, respectively. To the north, 1276 Islington is planned with 35 storeys.
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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