The Glen Park neighborhood of central Toronto offers a variety of housing options that are well served by multiple modes of transportation. One of several proposed developments for the area is a new one at 280 Viewmount Avenue, one block from Glencairn tube station. Altree Developments has submitted an application to change the zoning statute for a new mixed-use building on the site.
Looking northeast towards 280 Viewmount Avenue as designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects for Altree Developments
At the northeast corner of Viewmount Avenue and Marlee Avenue, the site is a cluster of two properties known locally as 278 and 280 Viewmount Avenue. The former houses a single-storey detached house, the latter a two-storey mixed-use building. The property has an area of approx. 1,590 m².
At 113m tall, 33 floors and 342 residential units, the proposed design by Graziani + Corazza Architects would transform the site into what proponents describe as in line with future developments planned for the area. The proposal features a four-story podium with approximately 3,000 square feet of retail space on the ground floor, which customers would enter from Marlee Avenue. Residents would find the entrance and lobby on the southwest corner of the site on Marlee Avenue.
View to the north-east of the location in question, image obtained from Google Street View
The design includes indoor areas on floors two, five and seven and outdoor areas on levels five and seven for a total area of 1,368 m², evenly divided between indoor and outdoor areas. The proposed building design features recesses at the top of the fourth and sixth floors, pushing the tower towards the intersection. A green roof would be found on top of the building.
Vehicles entering from Viewmount Avenue would have four levels of underground parking with 85 parking spaces, as well as 387 bicycle parking spaces on the level. Cyclists have a bike path that runs along Marlee Avenue. Those who commute by car are well served by the proximity to the Allen Expressway and Highway 401.
An aerial view of the affected site and surrounding area, image retrieved from Google Maps
For users of public transport, the theme page offers numerous options. The site is approximately 150m west of Glencairn station on University underground line 1. It is also approximately 1.0km north of Eglinton West Station, soon to be renamed Cedarvale when the connection to Eglinton Line 5 opens. There are also two bus routes that go to Yorkdale and Davisville train stations.
The proposal notes that 280 Viewmount Avenue is near numerous neighborhood parks and is south of the Lawrence Allen Center mall. Marlee Avenue is characterized by low- and mid-rise commercial and residential buildings, while five other nearby residential and mixed-use developments range in height from 4 to 28 stories.
Development applications in the area, image from submission to the City of Toronto
The Glen Park neighborhood is just one of many areas in the midst of transformation and intensification across Toronto. Proponents argue that its prime location for public transportation and drivers is a distinguishing feature, and the proposed design for 280 Viewmount Avenue is a step toward better use of space for the community.
UrbanToronto will continue to monitor the progress of this development, but in the meantime you can learn more from our database file linked below. If you wish, you can join the discussion in the dedicated project forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
* * *
UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on metro Toronto development projects from concept to completion. We also offer instant reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that follows projects from the first application.