Plans are back on the table for 922 Millwood Road in Toronto's Leaside neighborhood, where a renewed application from Roni Group, tied to the original ownership by Hamr Millwood Investments, now proposes an eight-story condominium (up from the previous five), while at the same time a new design by TAES Architect Inc. in place of the original by Makow Associates Architects is introduced. The project continues the site's transition to mid-rise urban housing, with future Ontario Line 3 and Eglinton Line 5 stations located either a short drive to the east or north, respectively.
Looking northeast at 922 Millwood Road, designed by TAES Architects for 1000142683 Ontario Inc. / Roni Group
Located on the northeast corner of Millwood and Randolph streets, the property at 922 Millwood Road is vacant following the demolition of a former dry cleaning plant. The site sits amongst Leaside's mix of residential and commercial buildings and is bordered by low and mid-rise buildings.
Plans for the site date back to 2019, when Hamr Millwood Investments proposed a five-story condominium designed by Makow Associates Architects. This initial version was driven by a zoning ordinance change and an official plan amendment, followed by a 2020 site plan approval submission that introduced a small ground-level retail space. Although the site was cleared in preparation for construction, the project did not proceed; Now, M. Behar Planning & Design Inc. has submitted applications for an official plan and zoning by-law amendment to the City of Toronto on behalf of the developers.
Previous design by Makow Associates for Hamr Millwood Investments
The new proposal would be 30.3 million, an increase from 22 million previously. The total gross residential area has grown from 3,231 m² to 5,084 m², resulting in an increase in the area index from 3.2 to 5.27 times the coverage of the 963 m² property. A single retail space of approximately 50m² would enliven the Millwood facade.
Looking southeast at 922 Millwood Road, designed by TAES Architects for 1000142683 Ontario Inc. / Roni Group
The development would introduce 60 condominiums, double the previous 30-unit plan, with a breakdown of 38 one-bedrooms, 15 two-bedrooms and 7 three-bedrooms, compared to the previous mix of 16 one-bedrooms, 6 two-bedrooms and 8 three-bedrooms.
Site plan designed by TAES Architects for 1000142683 Ontario Inc. / Roni Group
The recreational program would include 197 m² of indoor space and 245 m² of outdoor space. Two elevators would serve the 60 units, a ratio of one elevator for every 30 suites, meaning quick response times as well as adequate response times even if one of the two elevators failed. Below grade, two levels of underground parking would accommodate 29 vehicles, including 19 spaces for residents and 10 spaces for visitors, slightly fewer than the 32 stalls proposed in 2020. The bicycle parking space was more than doubled to 66 spaces, divided into 54 long-term and 12 short-term spaces. Vehicle access is now proposed from Krawchuk Lane instead of Randolph Road to improve traffic flow and separation from pedestrian areas on Millwood Road.
Ground floor plan designed by TAES Architects for 1000142683 Ontario Inc. / Roni Group
The site is approximately 700 feet west of the TTC bus stops at Millwood Road and Laird Drive. These routes connect directly to Eglinton and Donlands stations on subway lines 1 and 2. Going forward, Ontario Line 3 will run along Overlea Boulevard, with Thorncliffe Park station about 1.4 km (0.9 mi) walk east, while Laird station on Line 5 Eglinton, also about 1.4 km (0.9 mi) away, will provide faster connections closer to the north. Cyclists have access to bike paths along Millwood, Moore and Eglinton Avenues, bike paths on Millwood and Thorncliffe Park Drive, and nearby access to the Beltline Trail and Lower Don River Trail.
An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to the City of Toronto
Leaside continues to attract steady intensification, with high-rise developments closer to the train stations. To the west, 1414 Bayview is under construction with 8 stories, while 1500 Bayview is also planned for 8 stories. To the north of the property, the 8-story Viva Leaside is nearing completion, along with a proposal for The Leaside, two 8-story condominium buildings. Further north near Laird Station, The Frederick Condominiums is under construction at 28 floors. Key proposals include 849 and 815 Eglinton Avenue East, at 33 and 34 storeys respectively, and 20 Brentcliffe Road, at 39 storeys. Further east, the planned Thorncliffe Park Transit-Oriented Community includes multiple towers of up to 56 stories.
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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Bousfields, TAES Architect Inc. |