With contract selection for the Ontario Line underway, the Danforth area will soon see a new subway stop, and along with it, a lot more density.
In early August, a proposal was set in motion by Del Boca Vista Properties Inc. and 717 Pape Inc. to bring a 49-storey mixed-use building to the northeast corner of Danforth Avenue and Pape Avenue -- immediately neighbouring the future Ontario Line Pape station. If approved, the building will be designed for residential, office, and retail uses, with a shared lobby for the residential and office portions, and three levels of underground parking.
The residential portion -- planned for floors six to 49 -- will contain a total of 496 units, including 38 studio units, 324 one-bedrooms, 84 two-bedrooms, and 50 three-bedrooms. The office component is planned for floors three to five, and indoor and outdoor amenity spaces are planned for the sixth and seventh floors.
Studio JCI
Studio JCI
The site in question -- 654-668 Danforth Avenue and 717-723 Pape Avenue -- is currently occupied by three- and four-storey mixed-use buildings with retail and office components. Although these existing structures would have to be demolished to accommodate the proposed development, the proposed stands to bring denser retail and office offerings, while introducing some much-needed residential.
The proposal submitted to the City includes site and architectural plans by Studio JCI -- a Toronto-based architectural firm also behind the design of a flatiron-style building recently proposed for 775 Vaughan Road in Oakwood Village. Landscaping plans have been submitted by STUDIO tla.
The intensification of the subject site falls under the Mixed Use Areas designation in the City of Toronto Official Plan, which aims to promote mixed-use and transit-supportive development in the city.
As it is, the subject site is well-supported by transit -- the existing Pape, Chester, and Donlands subway stations are minutes away -- but the forthcoming Ontario Line will no doubt up the ante.
The redevelopment of 654-668 Danforth Avenue and 717-723 Pape Avenue is currently under review by the City.
