Today, UrbanToronto's annual Growth to Watch For series ventures further north into Midtown Toronto with an overview of construction happening at Yonge and Eglinton and the surrounding areas. With the anticipated arrival of the much-needed Crosstown LRT projected for 2021, this intersection is poised to become the next great transit hub of the city. 

If there is one thing that recent development in Toronto has done extremely well, it would be its clear focus on transit-oriented development - that is, concentrating development and density at transit hubs and along major transit corridors, bringing the maximum number of people into close proximity of both GO and the TTC's sprawling networks. Aiming to capitalize on the arrival of Toronto's newest transit line, developers are honing in on the intersection of Yonge and Eglinton with a flurry of new development that promises to make this area one of the city's most thriving communities.

Below, we will take you through a list of projects expecting completion this year, and provide updates on projects currently beginning or in the midst of construction. We will also take a quick tour through development proposals in the area, whether they are approved, in planning, or just speculation, to give a quick snapshot of what the future holds for Yonge and Eglinton.

Completing and Topping Off

Starting off with an existing landmark, RioCan's Yonge-Eglinton Centre is currently putting the finishing touches on its latest expansion and renovation, which is slated for completion this year. The shopping mall underwent a complete interior renovation, with a 40,000-square-foot expansion, dubbed 'The Cube', taking over the underutilized plaza at the corner of Yonge and Eglinton. Designed by Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, the expansion comes with a new entrance to Eglinton Station and a rooftop patio, set to open in the spring of this year.

Photo of the nearly-complete Yonge Eglinton Centre, image by Forum contributor Roundabout.

Moving south to Davisville station, Chestnut Hill Developments'Life Condos has topped off at the edge of Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The 13-storey, 149-unit mid-rise designed by Quadrangle Architects is currently having its exterior cladding installed in anticipation of a 2016 completion date.

Life Condos viewed from the east on Merton St., image by Jack Landau

Just a block away from Life Condos, Shiplake's Balliol Park is taking shape with cladding now installed more than halfway up both towers of the complex. The development replaced two rows of older townhouses with two Diamond Schmitt Architects-designed rental apartment towers at 14 and 30 storeys. With both buildings topped off, look for their completion sometime in 2016.

Balliol Park viewed from the west, image by Jack Landau

A little further to the east at Mount Pleasant, the Greenwood College School Expansion is slated for its grand opening this year. The Montgomery Sisam Architects-designed addition will add a host of new facilities for the private institution, including a new gymnasium, performing arts theatre, and classroom space.

Greenwood College School Expansion, image by Jack Landau

Hopping back up to Eglinton, Madison Homes'The Madison has topped off both its towers just east of Yonge. Measuring in at 33 and 36 storeys, the twin towers designed by Kirkor Architectsare nearly fully clad as they claim their spot in the midtown skyline. The development will add hundreds of new condo units to the bustling area, as well as a new 40,000-square-foot Loblaws and more shops in its podium. Look for The Madison's completion sometime in the coming year.

Recent photo of the Madison, image by Forum contributor Roundabout.

Just a block north of the Yonge and Eglinton intersection, another condo tower has reached its full height with Minto Group's 34-storey Minto30Roe Condos. Designed by Wallman Architects, the building brings 397 new residential units to the quickly densifying area. Currently, the tower's exterior cladding is nearly complete, with construction expected to wrap up in 2016.

Recent photo of Minto30Roe Condos under construction, image by Jack Landau.

Moving north to the less dense intersection of Yonge and Lawrence, Lanterra's development at 3018 Yonge is nearly complete, with the exterior cladding now fully installed on the 12-storey mid-rise building. The Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed condo building is located in the Lawrence Park area, bringing 170 units to the quiet residential neighbourhood. Stay tuned for its grand opening later this year.

3018 Yonge viewed from the northeast corner of Yonge and Lawrence, image by Jack Landau

Ongoing Construction; Digging Down and Building Up

A slew of new towers will soon be gracing the skyline of Yonge and Eglinton, many of which are just now beginning or continuing construction, with expected completion dates of 2017 or later.

Beginning south of Eglinton at 2131 Yonge, Art Shoppe Condos by Freed Developments is getting underway with demolition of the existing buildings on site wrapping up. Designed by architectsAlliance, the towers of 12 and 28 storeys rising from a common podium will add plenty of new residential units, complete with public outdoor space and ground-level retail. Look for excavation to begin this year.

Demolition is wrapping up on the site of Art Shoppe Condos, image by Forum contributor Atlantis.

A block north, demolition is underway on the site of 2221 Yonge Condos, a 56-storey condo by Tower Hill Development Corporation located just south of Eglinton. The massive development is designed by Pei Partnership Architects of New York, a firm founded by the two sons of renowned Modernist architect I.M. Pei, in partnership with Quadrangle Architects. Adding 566 units to the densifying neighbourhood, excavation is set to begin on 2221 Yonge once demolition wraps up in a short time from now.

Demolition underway on the site of 2221 Yonge Condos, image by Forum contributor Roundabout.

It's hard not to notice the huge construction site at the northeast corner of Yonge and Eglinton, with hoarding up and construction ongoing for some time now. The prominent corner is the site of Bazis, Metropia, and RioCan's E Condos, the largest development under construction in the Yonge-Eglinton area comprising two Rosario Varacalli-designed towers of 34 and 58 storeys, adding 854 residential units to the busy intersection. Construction on the 58-storey south tower is nearly at grade level, while excavation continues on the site of the north tower. Keep your eyes open for these two behemoths to rise out of the ground in 2016.

A recent aerial shot of construction progressing at the south tower of E Condos, image by Jack Landau.

One block north of E Condos, another interesting project is underway with The Rockport Group's Montgomery Square. The 27-storey luxury rental tower by RAW Design is built on the site of Postal Station K, a former Art Deco post office constructed in 1936. The front end of the historic building is being preserved as the podium of the new tower. Excavation is well underway on this site, with construction on the below-grade levels expected to begin mid-2016.

Excavation underway at the site of Montgomery Square, image by Forum contributor drum118.

Tucked away from the noisy main streets, Tridel and Beaux Properties'101 Erskine Condos will soon rise amidst the quiet neighbourhood northeast of Yonge and Eglinton. The 32-storey tower designed by CS&P Architects will bring 421 new condo units in a sleek tower with a distinct aesthetic. Excavation is just wrapping up, with the pouring of foundations now underway.

Recent photo of excavation at 101 Erskine Condos, image courtesy of Tridel

Moving east along Eglinton toward Mount Pleasant, demolition has wrapped up on the site of Menkes Developments'The Eglinton. Designed by Giannone Petricone Architects, the 33-storey condo tower is replacing a nine-storey Modernist office building, and will add 444 new residential units. Excavation is set to begin, with construction likely starting later in the year.

Demolition is wrapping up on the site of The Eglinton, image by Forum contributor Roundabout.

Freed Developments' other current venture into the Yonge and Eglinton neighbourhood, along with Capital Developments, is starting to make its presence known as construction on 155 Redpath Condominiums has now reached grade level. The 34-storey, architectsAlliance-designed tower will feature a striking design of alternating balconies, while adding 446 new residential units just northwest of Eglinton and Mount Pleasant. Keep your eyes open for the building to rise above ground level in the coming months.

Recent photo of construction progressing at 155 Redpath Condominiums, photo by Forum contributor Roundabout.

Starts For Later This Year?

Adding to the already busy development scene around Yonge and Eglinton, there are a number of buildings in sales that could start construction later this year.

The first of those is the partner to 155 Redpath above. Freed Developments and Capital Developments' 150 Redpath Condominiums, a 38-storey tower, also designed by architectsAlliance on the site across the street, will add another 543 units next to its sister tower near Eglinton and Mount Pleasant. 

A rendering of 150 Redpath Condos, image courtesy of Freed Developments/Capital Developments.

A block west, a pair of 34-storey condo towers are proposed with CityLights Condos at 95 Broadway Avenue. 

A rendering of CityLights Condos, image courtesy of The Pemberton Group.

Anorher block west back on Yonge north of Eglinton, Lifetime Developments and Knightstone are selling suites at Whitehaus Condos, a 29-storey condo tower designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects. The striking tower looks to add 366 new units to the quickly densifying neighbourhood.

A rendering of Whitehaus Condos, image courtesy of Lifetime Developments/Knightstone.

Looking south on Yonge toward Davisville, one of the smaller-scale developments in the area may soon appear with Mattamy Homes and Biddington Homes' J. Davis House. The 9-storey mid-rise condo building designed by Graziani + Corazza Architectswill add 191 new residential units along Yonge Street complete with a host of new amenities and ground-level retail.

A rendering of the J. Davis House, image courtesy of Mattamy/Biddington.

Recent projects to gain zoning approval in the area but which are not in sales or under construction yet include a pair of developments to the east of Yonge and to the south of Eglinton. Distinction Condos is a 14-storey mid-rise condo at 11 Lillian Street for which a sales centre is now under construction, while Lillian Park is a pair of rental towers at 24 and 26 storeys planned to densify the tower-in-the-park site at 45-77 Dunfield Street. Finally, north of Eglinton, a 32-storey condo tower at 18-30 Erskine Avenue was just approved at the OMB, three storeys less than what was originally proposed.

In The Works

There are even more potential projects for the area, currently making their way through the planning process at City Hall.

At the heart of it all—and aiming for the title of tallest in the area—is Davpart's Hariri Pontarini Architects-designed 1 Eglinton East, a 65-storey tower (previously 68 storeys) proposed right at the busy Yonge and Eglinton corner.

A rendering of 1 Eglinton East, image courtesy of Davpart.

The Eglinton corridor east of Yonge is perhaps slated for the most development, beginning with a 47-storey condo tower proposed at 55 Eglinton East. Directly across the street from Lillian Park, mentioned above, is another tower-in-the-park densification development planned at 44 Dunfield Street and 33 Holly Street, adding 5 storeys to two existing 14-storey apartment buildings, while constructing three new buildings at 6, 24, and 32 storeys. This proposal is heading to the OMB in March. On the north side of Eglinton East, more towers are aiming for the skies, beginning with a 36-storey rental apartment building proposed for 89 Roehampton Street, which just surfaced with a zoning application last month. 

The Yonge corridor will also see plenty of development at slightly smaller in scale than the towers along Eglinton East. To the south a couple blocks at 2112-2114 Yonge, a 9-storey mid-rise condo is proposed called Uovo, which is Italian for 'egg'. We're waiting to see the plans for that, as we are a couple blocks north of Eglinton where a 5-storey commercial development is planned for 2444 Yonge at Roselawn Avenue.

Further north, a unique proposal by internationally-renowned architect Will Alsop would see a 10-storey mid-rise condo building, dubbed Alaska Condos, appear at 2779 Yonge. With a provocative design that would definitely turn heads if it were to eventually materialize, this development is reportedly heading to the OMB for a hearing.

A rendering of Alaska Condos, image courtesy of Bianca Pollak.

Jumping north to Yonge and Lawrence, 3080 Yonge is planning for a renovation and re-cladding of the existing 6-storey office building, with new shops including a grocery store at ground level. This revitalization is tied to accessibility improvements being made by the TTC to Lawrence subway station, while up at York Mills subway station, a 7-storey office, retail, and hotel complex is in the works for 4050 Yonge on the northwest corner at Wilson Avenue. 

Our Growth to Watch For series will continue soon with an overview of the development coming to North York. To catch up with our series so far, check out our previous GtWF stories about St. Clair; Chinatown, U of T, and The Annex; Bloor West; the Entertainment District; Southwest Toronto; and Etobicoke South.

What do you think of the projects that are transforming this area? Leave a comment at the bottom of this page, or join in on the conversation on one of our associated Forum threads. For additional information, check out our dataBase files (linked below) and Forum threads.

The University of Toronto has constructed a number of notable institutional facilities over the past several years, including the 2005-built Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research near the intersection of University and College. Designed by Behnisch Architekten with architectsAlliance, the east facade of the building features a colourful facade meant to evoke the image of genetic chromatography patterns, captured beautifully in today's Photo of the Day, which was submitted to the UrbanToronto Flickr Pool by Lori Whelan.

East facade of the Terrence Donnelly Centre for Cellular and Biomolecular Research, image by Lori Whelan via Flickr

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to the new and improved UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page!

Ryerson makes moves to restore Sam the Record Man sign; Mayor and minister offer show of unity on SmartTrack and GO expansion; At ground level, Toronto’s soaring skyline is a dud; and more news...

Ryerson makes moves to restore Sam the Record Man sign (Metro News)

Mayor and minister offer show of unity on SmartTrack and GO expansion (Toronto Star)

At ground level, Toronto’s soaring skyline is a dud (Globe and Mail)

Yorkville Condo Development Raises Familiar Concerns For Residents, Councillors (Torontoist)

TTC Replies to Fare Zone and Subway Premium Proposals (Steve Munro)

Torontoist Explains: Short Turns (Torontoist)

More world news from our sister site SkyriseCities.com:

Heritage Elements to be Preserved in Satra-Tax Plaza Project (Ho Chi Minh City)

Paris Rive Gauche: Emerging New Neighbourhood in the French Capital (Paris)

Crane Installed at BIG's Vancouver House Site (Vancouver)

Tishman Speyer and Bjarke Ingels Unveil The Spiral (New York)

Located near the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) and Durham College, Podium Developments and Building Capital's University Studios is introducing a new student living typology to the local market. The Wallman Architects-designed project's suites are specifically configured to meet the needs of upper year post-secondary students, with the spatially-efficient suites designed to provide a multifunctional living space.

The L-shaped exterior of Oshawa's University Studios, image courtesy of Podium / Building Capital

Taking our first look at the interiors, a 3D suite rendering illustrates the layout of a typical unit. In order to maximize available space, the project's trademarked SmartStudios concept features a fold-out 'TabledBed' that serves a dining table during the day. 

A 3D suite rendering with the bed folded out, image courtesy of Podium / Building Capital

Each of the suites—which range in size from 274 ft² to 376 ft²—also features a full three-piece bathroom, as well as a kitchenette and double-duty living/study area, with large windows allowing for ample natural light. The short hallway of each unit is lined with storage closets, which also feature a small washer/dryer installation. Underneath the love-seats in the living area, an additional storage space will allow for the unit's floorspace to remain unencumbered, allowing for an open ambiance despite the small space. 

Suite interior with a daytime dining table configuration, image courtesy of Podium / Building Capital

Meanwhile, the efficient kitchenette areas—outfitted with a two-element stovetop—all feature a fridge and microwave, as well as an in-built dishwasher. The TabledBed installations also feature USB charging stations, while the study areas will feature a standing desk and wall-mounted TV. Each unit will be equipped with high-speed internet connections. 

The games room is one of University Studios' social amenities, image courtesy of Podium / Building Capital

The distinctly contemporary building will also feature an extensive range of amenities geared towards the student population, with a central Social Hub—which is equipped with a kitchen—functioning as a study space, meeting place, lounge, games room, and studio. In addition, the building will feature the more typical condo amenities, such as a gym, party room, and a roof deck. 

Another look at the exterior, image courtesy of Podium / Building Capital

For more information about the project, our introductory editorial provide a more in-depth look at Oshawa's growing student population and the building's architectural expression while our follow-up piece features insight into the design from architect Rudy Wallman. 

We will keep you updated as details of the project continue to emerge. In the meantime, check out our dataBase file for more information. Want to share your thoughts regarding the development? Leave a comment at the bottom of this page, or join in the discussion in our associated Forum thread.

Toronto's ongoing building boom has been typified by concrete construction, becoming the de facto building medium for new development. While concrete and steel will remain the preferred methods for high-rise construction, changes to the Ontario Building Code (OBC) that went into effect in January 2015 are fostering a new generation of mid-rise developments that will be constructed with timber frames of up to six storeys.

One such development, now in its registration phase and possibly the first six-storey timber frame building to rise in Toronto, is Heartwood The Beach, a Quadrangle Architects-designed development from Fieldgate Homes and Hullmark, planned for the northeast corner of Queen Street and Woodbine Avenue.

Rendering of Heartwood The Beach, image courtesy of Fieldgate/Hullmark

The skeleton of Heartwood The Beach will be constructed using cross laminated timber (CLT), a strong and lightweight material that exhibits superior thermal, acoustic, and seismic performance, as well as greatly improved fire resistance over basic timber. Unlike concrete and steel, the use of CLT generates very little waste on a construction site, another element in the product's sustainability.

Street level rendering of Heartwood The Beach, image courtesy of Fieldgate/Hullmark

The natural aesthetic of the development's frame and exterior finishes—foregrounded in the slogan 'Designed by nature, grown by the sun'—is to be complemented by a public art installation by Brent Comber, who is known for his 'Shattered Spheres'. Meant to represent three-dimensional spaces like the earth, the sky and the universe, an example of Comber's Shattered Spheres is visible on the left-hand side of the image below, rendered in one of the development's amenity spaces. Like the development itself, the illuminated art pieces will be sculpted from wood, carrying on the natural theme of the project.

Amenity space at Heartwood The Beach. "Shattered Sphere" visible on left, image courtesy of Fieldgate/Hullmark

In addition to common indoor amenity areas like the space pictured above, the development will boast a green roof, further offsetting the development's already minimal carbon footprint.

Aerial rendering depicting green roof at Heartwood The Beach, image courtesy of Fieldgate/Hullmark

In total, Heartwood The Beach is offering just 37 units, ranging in size from 923 square feet on the lower end up to 1,550 square feet for penthouse units. Most of the development's units will be over 1,000 square feet in size.

Rendering of suite interior at Heartwood - The Beach, image courtesy of Fieldgate/Hullmark

Additional information and renderings can be found in the project's dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the field provided at the bottom of this page.

In advance of Metrolinx's February 10th Board of Directors meeting, the provincial transit agency released a report outlining the options for integration of the GO RER network with SmartTrack. Working with the City of Toronto, four options for configuring the transit networks have been studied, while a ridership and cost analysis has also concluded—as expected—that an extension of the Crosstown LRT to Pearson Airport would be highly preferable to building out SmartTrackr's controversial western spur.  

A GO train rushes past Toronto's St. Joseph Hospital, image by Vik Pahwa

In terms of integrating SmartTrack and GO RER along existing rail lines, the four options studied utilize Metrolinx's 2015 GO RER Service and Infrastructure Plan as a base case, taking into account a range of fare scenarios in creating a preliminary cost/benefit analysis of the integration strategies. The four options differ in the number of stations proposed and the frequencies studied, providing preliminary insight into the impacts of these factors.

Option A

The first option presented would see service frequency substantially increased, with 4-6 minute frequency in peak hours and 7.5 minute frequency off-peak. Five new stations would be added to the GO network, with locations at St. Clair West, West Queen West/Liberty Village, Bathurst-Spadina, the Unilever site, and Gerrard (west-to-east) modelled. The exact station locations—for all four plans—remain subject to significant change, however, with a more detailed RER new stations analysis forthcoming.

Option A, with preliminary placing of new stations, (Crosstown LRT extension shown in red), image courtesy of Metrolinx

Option B

Option B features somewhat less frequent service with an increase in the number of stations. With 8 new stations added, this plan would see the GO RER / SmartTrack operate with both local and express service. While the local service would stop at all stations, the express service—geared towards suburban commuters—would only utilize existing stations. While the local/express configuration provides more nuanced transit tailored to different types of riders, Option B would feature 20 minute frequencies for each service, with a 10 minute combined frequency on the line.

Option B, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Option C

The third option studied utilizes the already funded and committed 5 to 10 minute peak service frequency—15 minute off peak—as a base, with 7 to 8 new stations added. Unlike Option B, there would be no distinction between local and express service, with the greater frequencies would compensating for somewhat less fine-grained service.

Option C, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Option D

Finally, Option D is also modelled on the funded and committed frequencies of 5 to 10 minutes for peak service, and 15 minutes for off peak hours. Unlike Option C, however, only 4 to 5 new stations would be built on the line. This means that SmartTrack travel times would be comparatively reduced, though the service would become less convenient for some riders, with fewer stations serving the residential neighbourhoods along the line.

Option D, image courtesy of Metrolinx

Preliminary Analysis

Although these plans are still at an early stage—with community consultations forthcoming—the study does provide an elementary overview of the potential strengths and shortcomings for each option. Options A and B are cited as "requir[ing] significant incremental infrastructure that leads to increased cost and community impacts." According to Metrolinx, Option C "provides more access within the City of Toronto, slows travel for some long distance trips and speeds travel for other trips," while Option D "provides some increased access within the City of Toronto, but has less impact to travel times than Option C." 

Since these plans remain highly preliminary and largely conceptual, significant additional analysis will be undertaken to provide a more thorough overview of possible configurations.

Other Projects

While Metrolinx's SmartTrack / GO RER plans remain somewhat vague, a definitive preference for an LRT extension to the airport is clearly articulated in the report. Citing the much lower capital costs and much higher projected ridership for the extended Crosstown LRT compared to a western spur SmartTrack, Metrolinx has outlined a conclusive preference for the LRT plan. The western portion of the Crosstown was originally proposed as part of TransitCity under David Miller's mayoralty, and underwent an Environmental Assessment in 2010, meaning that a basic blueprint for this plan already exists. Metrolinx and the City will now pursue an optimized plan for the network.

A potential western extension of the Crosstown LRT, image courtesy of Metrolinx

City Planning's new Scarborough Transit Strategy was is also briefly analyzed in the report, with Metrolinx recommending that "technical work and public consultation proceed" on the one-stop Scarborough subway extension (via a McCowan road alignment), the eastern extension of the Crosstown LRT to UTSC, a new SmartTrack station on the Stouffville corridor, and rapid transit along the Sheppard corridor. 

An overview of the new Scarborough Transit Strategy, image courtesy of Metrolinx

**

A full copy of the report can be found here. What do you think of Metrolinx's latest plans? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below this page, or by contributing to one of our associated Forum threads regarding the Crosstown LRT, SmartTrack, or GO RER. 

Located just southeast of Don Mills and Eglinton, Lindvest Properties'Sonic Condos is joining one of Toronto's up and coming development nodes, with the 30 and 28-storey towers poised to add new urban density to the rejuvenating area. Nearby, the Aga Khan Museum and Ismaili Centre, the Ontario Science Centre, and the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, contribute to making the neighbourhood a cultural destination, while a number of new residential developments are now issuing in a more urban character. 

Sonic Condos features a prominent greenscaped park, image courtesy of Lindvest Properties

Located along the upcoming Crosstown LRT, the development is strategically positioned to take advantage of both the future transit—which will provide a much faster connection to Line 1—and the area's ample greenery and park space. Located in between Sunnnybrook and Flemingdon Parks, Sonic Condos will also include a large greenscaped area behind the 30 and 28-storey condominium towers, providing a bucolic and intimate outdoor amenity area.

The concierge area, image courtesy of Lindvest Properties

Designed by Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects, Sonic's towers will be joined by a smaller building of townhouse-inspired suites that will line the project's greenscaped park. Suites will range in size from 339 ft² to 993 ft²—including a number of three-bedroom units—and will feature interiors appointed by Toronto-based U31. Sonic's amenities will include a children's play area, yoga room, gym, pet wash, 24-hour concierge (above), and guest suite, as well as a spacious roof deck which will be situated atop the podium between the two towers. 

Sonic's rooftop terrace will span between the two towers, image courtesy of Lindvest Properties

The 28-storey tower will form the project's first phase, featuring some 25,000 ft² of indoor and outdoor amenity space. In addition to the children's play area and outdoor terrace, Sonic's park—featuring landscaping by NAK Design Group—will also be equipped with exercise equipment and a walking path, making for a relaxing outdoor amenity space.

A closer view of the park, with the walking path and exercise equipment visible, image courtesy of Lindvest Properties

With a number of Toronto's Downtown condo communities lacking in green space and child-oriented amenities, Sonic's amenities and landscaping provide a more family-friendly lifestyle. With improved transit—and the area's increasing cultural clout—the project will provide a hybrid of nascent urban character and the neighbourhood's ample greenery. 

We will keep you updated as the project continues to progress and the start of construction approaches. Until then, check out our dataBase for additional information and more renderings. Want to share your thoughts regarding the project? Join the conversation on our associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space below. 

Since the team's inception in 1995, the NBA's Toronto Raptors haven’t had an official purpose-built training facility to call their own. With the clock ticking down to the NBA All-Star Weekend, and basketball fever beginning to overtake Toronto, the time was ripe to change that. Earlier today Maple Leaf Sports + Entertainment (MLSE) Chairman Larry Tanenbaum and Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri were joined by Mayor John Tory, NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, BioSteel President John Celenza and others to officially open the BioSteel Centre, the Raptors’ new 68,000 square foot training facility in Exhibition Place.

L-R Matt Nichol, John Celenza, John Tory, Masai Ujiri, Larry Tanenbaum, Michael Friisdahl, image by Jack Landau 

Naming rights for the training centre were purchased by Toronto-based sports drink manufacturer BioSteel last year. As part of the deal, the BioSteel logo will be featured on the upper right corner of the Raptors' practice jersey.

BioSteel Centre viewed from the southeast, image by Jack Landau

Designed by Guernsey with supporting architects Baldwin & Franklin, the long-anticipated facility will replace the existing practice courts at the Air Canada Centre—until now used as the team's practice venue—while also serving as a venue for a number of basketball development camps and other community groups. 

BioSteel Centre viewed from the northeast, image by Jack Landau

Set back from the intersection of British Colombia Rd. and Yukon Pl. at the west end of the park and event venue, the two-storey 68,000 square foot facility houses a main practice space with two full-size basketball courts. The courts are capable of being divided using a soundproof partition hidden within the ceiling, known as a Skyfold wall. The facility will also house training and treatment facilities, offices, a players' locker room, lounge space, a video viewing room, and much more. 

Inside the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

Occupying the southeastern corner of the building's ground floor is a fully-equipped gym featuring a selection of state-of-the-art workout equipment. The lofty space features two-storeys of windows along the south and east sides, allowing ample natural light into the space.

Fitness and training area in the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

The most eye-catching piece of equipment in the gym is the FitLight Trainer™, a machine featuring RGB LED lights controlled by a tablet. Athletes use the lights as targets to deactivate, and can be set for practically every sport and training regime.

FitLight Trainer™ in the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

Adjacent to the gym, a selection of recovery and regeneration spaces are unhand for athletes. Located at the south end of the ground floor, this area includes massage tables, water therapy stations, saunas and steam rooms, as well as a trainer's room and office space.

Recovery and regeneration space in the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

Recovery and regeneration space in the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

Among the most interesting features of the facility's ground floor, an IBM-designed interactive space called Raptors Insights Central. This digital command centre features a nine-screen wall system connected to three touch screens embedded within a boardroom table, allowing staff to analyze player development and activity from around the league. Cognitive operations centres such as this one are known in the sports industry as a “War Room”. This space uses a "Dark Fiber" connection linking it directly to the Air Canada Centre, allowing for rapid exchange of information including video, stats, analytics, and communication.

Raptors Insights Central in the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

A video viewing room adjacent to the main court area will provide the Raptors with a place to analyze the play styles of other teams and players, a common component in other NBA practice facilities located in the United States.

Video viewing room in the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

The ground floor of the BioSteel Centre will also include locker rooms for the athletes, and even a dedicated barber shop.

Locker room at the BioSteel Centre, image courtesy of MLSE

The second level of the facility offers space for the athletes to unwind and socialize, including a players dining area overlooking the main court area, with a full commercial kitchen, a green roof, a gas barbecue area, an outdoor lounge area, and views of Lake Ontario.

Lounge area on the second floor of the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

The second floor also includes viewing areas overlooking the courts and the fitness centre.

Second floor viewing area at the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

Second floor viewing area at the BioSteel Centre, image by Jack Landau

The new facility is being hailed as a major step forward for the Toronto Raptors organization, and a tangible display of MLSE's goal to bring an NBA Championship north of the border.

Additional information can be found in the project's dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out our associated Forum thread, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.

Opened in 2013, the Brant Street Pier is a popular destination on the Burlington Waterfront. Extending 137 metres over Lake Ontario on a curved path from Burlington's Spencer Smith Park, the pier's night illumination is highlighted in today's Photo of the Day, which was submitted to the UrbanToronto Flickr Pool by Jamie Hedworth.

Brant Street Pier in Burlington, image by Jamie Hedworth via Flickr

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to the new and improved UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page!

Metrolinx may lower fare for Union Pearson Express train; How Toronto's CityPlace built a community in the sky; TTC stations display student’s art for NBA All-Star Weekend; and more news...

Metrolinx may lower fare for Union Pearson Express train (Globe and Mail)

TTC stations display student’s art for NBA All-Star Weekend (Toronto Star)

How Toronto's CityPlace built a community in the sky (Metro News)

Chris Selley: A seamless future for Toronto area transit — maybe (National Post)

Free rides on Union Pearson Express this weekend, February 13 to 15 (Transit Toronto)

UPX chief laments lack of ‘early adopters’ (Toronto Star)

More world news from our sister site SkyriseCities.com:

Video Shows Foundation Work for Europe's Next Tallest Tower (St. Petersburg)

Architects Selected for New Barcelona Arena (Barcelona)

Aerial Images Capture Construction at 801 Olive (Los Angeles)

6th and Tenth Joins Beltline Boom (Calgary)

The gentrification of east-downtown Toronto communities like the Old Town of York has come a long way in recent years, bringing new investment, businesses, and residents to areas of the city considered less-than-desirable in the recent past. This week's Throwback Thursday highlights changes along a stretch of Sherbourne Street south of Adelaide, looking past King Street and towards the Lake.

Back on November 10th, 2001, construction had recently begun at the site of Mozo Condos, a 15-storey, architectsAlliance-designed condominium building by Context Development, containing 200 units. The early stages of construction are visible on the west side of Sherbourne, seen on the right side of the image below.

Facing south on Sherbourne towards King Street, November 10 2001, image by Edward Skira

Construction of Mozo was completed in 2004, and in the time since, the east side of Sherbourne has also been redeveloped between King and just south of Adelaide. Developed by Camrost-Felcorp and designed by du Toit Architects Ltd., Kings Court Condos is a 17-storey, 332-unit condo development that incorporates the restored façade of a former Darling & Pearson-designed 1908-built Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce Building at the northeast corner of King and Sherbourne. Both projects have livened up this stretch of Sherbourne with the addition of street-fronting retail units, as well as public realm improvements like the street trees seen in the image below.

Facing south on Sherbourne towards King Street, February 11 2016, image by Jack Landau

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!

Sales are well underway for Diam Developments' On the Danforth Condos, a 10-storey condominium development featuring a design by architects Onespace Unlimited, planned for a quiet stretch of Danforth Avenue, between Woodbine and Main. The development will include 135 condominium units priced starting from the mid-$200,000s, which are represented in the project's presentation centre through a two-bedroom plus den model suite featuring interiors by esQape Design.

On The Danforth's model suite, image by Jack Landau

We toured the model suite for ourselves back in September, and covered it in a previous article following the project's launch. Photographs only tell part of the story though, and a recently-released virtual tour of the model suite is painting a fuller picture of the spaces, finishes, and fixtures awaiting residents of On The Danforth.

The video tour begins with an overview of the model suite's kitchen, which features designed appliances, a waterfall kitchen island with built-in under-counter microwave, and warm finishes like wood grain. At the 0:17 mark, the camera highlights the unit's combined living and dining area with a series of horizontal tracking shots, showing off an aesthetic of muted tones with splashes of colour added through yellow throw pillows and touches of greenery. At 0:38, the suite's den is revealed. Finished in a playful white and green look to mirror the project's branding, this space is perfectly suited for a home office.

The master bedroom makes an appearance at 0:48, while its walk-in closet is highlighted at 0:55, and its ensuite bathroom moments later at 1:00. The suite's second bedroom is shown at 1:05 boasting a similar aesthetic of cream and earth tones seen in the unit's kitchen and main living area. A representation of the unit's balcony is shown at 1:09, providing an approximation of the exterior spaces and associated views offered at the development. Finally, at 1:17 the unit's main bathroom is revealed.

The completed development will include a number of amenities, including a multi-purpose room and kitchen, and adjacent private dining room and outdoor terrace. An additional amenity area located on the 10th floor will be known as Club Danny, and will include a barbecue terrace, lounge, and a fitness/outdoor yoga area with extensive views.

Rendering of On The Danforth, image courtesy of Diam Developments

To learn more about the On the Danforth, our interview with Diam's Molinder Khudal includes detailed insight into the project's features, as well as an overview of some of Diam's other residential developments. Additional information and renderings for On The Danforth can be found in the project's dataBase file, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.

The hospital model, like most other forms of institutional architecture, is constantly being revised and remodeled. Bridgepoint Hospital is an exemplar of this with its state-of-the-art facilities and its commitment to making a hospital more than just a building with beds and medical equipment, but a community of wellness. Its achievements in this realm, including integration of public space through its series of courtyards and green spaces, demonstrate the reimagining of the hospital space.

Bridgepoint Hospital, Courtesy of UrbanToronto forum member Rankman

Although Bridgepoint is a new facility altogether, many other health care facilities around the city including St. Michael's Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute and CAMH, have updated their existing facilities in attempts to better serve their patients. What makes Bridgepoint unique among this group is its integration of art in the healing process, both as a wellness tool and as part of an effort to build community among patients and the broader Riverdale community. 

One of the most celebrated examples of public art at Bridgepoint is its Max Tanenbaum Sculpture Garden located in the passage from the cafeteria to Ambulatory care and the Riverdale Park. The garden on the building's west side features 25 brightly coloured sculptures, arranged in planters, of humanoid figures in a variety of poses. The figures' broad range of actions, from snowboarding to dancing, speak to the versatility, strength and beauty of the human form. The figures' poses complemented by the vitality of the colourful metal in which they were cast serve a dual purpose. They function as a reminder and encouragement to the Bridgepoint patients, typically those suffering from chronic diseases, that they can get better (and that their bodies are a gift ). They also serve to humanize the hospital setting for the patients and nearby residents, making it a community space worthy of exploring for leisure and enjoyment, rather than strictly for receiving medical attention. 

Detail of William Lishman Sculptre Garden at Bridgepoint Hospital, courtesy of UrbanToronto forum member Salsa

Detail of William Lishman Sculptre Garden at Bridgepoint Hospital, courtesy of UrbanToronto forum member Salsa

The sculptures were created by Canadian artist and inventor William Lishman, settled in Blackstock, Onatrio. The garden was created through a generous donation from the Solomon and Spiro Foundation in memory of Canadian businessman Max Tanenbuam who passed away in 1983. Lishman is no stranger to the hospital setting having completed similar humanoid sculpture work for the Princess Maragaret Cancer Centre as well as its Max Tanenbaum Healing Garden. 

Detail of William Lishman Sculptre Garden at Bridgepoint Hospital, courtesy of UrbanToronto forum member Salsa

Detail of William Lishman Sculptre Garden at Bridgepoint Hospital, courtesy of UrbanToronto forum member Salsa

The hospital also features another public artwork—a labyrinth—this one with a more clearly defined healthcare benefits for its patients. The labyrinth, located on the hospital's north side, has been incorporated into a variety of healthcare programs at the hospital. The five-lane labyrinth allows for multiple person use and offers wide lanes that accommodate patients using wheelchairs. 

Aerial View of Bridgepoint Hospital, courtesy of Bridgepoint Hospital

At Bridgepoint, the labyrinth plays host to drum circles, among other activities for patients, as well as providing a space for relaxation and meditation. Various scientific journals have attested to the healing properties of labyrinths which provide patients with an opportunity to get exercise in nature, and which offer a clearly non-medical space to relax with others while acting generally as a stress-relieving activity. 

Image of Bridgepoint Hospital Labyrinth, courtesy of UrbanToronto forum member Armour

The incorporation of art in the health care setting is not a new endeavour, but it is one that major hospitals across Toronto have begun to earnestly integrate into their healing processes and patient living. Baycrest Hospital—which has gone as far as to create a Culture, Arts and Innovation department to provide music and art therapy as well as a program to adorn its halls with meaningful and thought-provoking art—is a testament to this. Bridgepoint however, extends its reach by making these works of art visible to the broader community. This invites the creation of a community that allows patients to feel they're at a home-away-from-home, and gives them the opportunity to form bonds with nature, other patients, and the broader Riverdale community, strengthening their support system and resolve to get well.

New renderings of Toronto's tallest proposed building are continuing to reveal new—and evolving—design details of Mizrahi Developments' much-anticipated Foster + Partners-designed project, The One. An update at the beginning of this year saw the project—designed in collaboration with Toronto's Core Architects—grow to a new height of 340.6 metres, with a reworked exterior bringing greater aesthetic balance to the tower. Now, UrbanToronto has learned more about the proposed tower's cladding system, which will feature an innovative glazing system by Sefar AG.

The One's latest design (looking northeast), image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

The Swiss-based company produces high-performance architectural glass that allows for patterns and designs to be enmeshed directly within it. For The One, the laminated Sefar glass will be used to create the intricate honeycomb cladding pattern along the tower's podium. According to the company's website, the 'fabric&glass' system provides "improved thermal performance, reduces glare, and adds a unique depth in façade design by utilizing the three-dimensional effects of fabric."

Looking east along Bloor, with Sefar's honeycomb cladding system visible, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

Utilizing metal screens sandwiched between layers of glass, the system allows for a wealth of aesthetic options, as virtually any type of pattern and colour can be printed between the glass. Sefar glass' wide array of aesthetic configurations is clearly evidenced on The One, with both the glossy golden honeycomb pattern and the lighter, mesh-like elevator core set to utilize the unique glazing.

A closer look at the honeycomb glazing, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

Sefar's uniquely textured glass also lends the podium glazing a three-dimensional visual quality. The glazing itself will actually be installed on a flat plane, however, with the sense of depth created by the texture embedded in the glass. The element of textural nuance will be underscored by changing natural light, with the surface's visual appearance changing depending on how light is reflected from it.A closer look at the elevator core and podium cladding system, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

With variable colour, texture, and opacity, the system allows for glass to take on a multiplicity of aesthetic styles. The bird-friendly system maintains relatively unencumbered views from the interior while ensuring a sense of privacy with the panels appearing more opaque when viewed from a distance. A close-up look at one of the designs reveals the intricacy of patterns that can be created (below).

A closer-up of a Sefar glass product, image courtesy of Sefar AG

Meanwhile, a recently released interior rendering of a high-end restaurant space in the podium provides a glimpse into the tower's interior aesthetic, with the unique cladding system also seen along the windows. Seen up close from the interior, the Sefar glass is expected to appear nearly transparent.

An early look at a luxury restaurant space, image courtesy of Mizrahi Developments

To learn more about the 84-storey tower's design elements, our previous editorial provides an in-depth look at project's ongoing evolution and the latest design, while our dataBase file includes additional information and renderings.

Looking north on Yonge, The One now includes heritage preservation along the property's south end, image courtesy of Mizrahi

Want to share your thoughts about the project? Feel free to leave a comment at the bottom of this page, or join in the ongoing and highly informative 178-page (and counting!) discussion on our Forum. You'll find the link below.

One of Toronto photographers' best kept secrets can be found just east of the Don Valley, a few blocks north of Danforth Avenue. The Chester Hill Lookout offers panoramic views overlooking the Toronto skyline and the Don Valley, a view captured in today's Photo of the Day, which was submitted to the UrbanToronto Flickr Pool by David Timchuck.

View from the Chester Hill Lookout, image by David Timchuck via Flickr

Want to see your work featured as Photo of the Day? Head over to the City Photos & Videos section of the Forum, or submit your images to the new and improved UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page!

More TTC subway closures coming in the spring; Old Toronto homes line up for the Century House stamp; Proposed changes to noise bylaw has people sounding off; and more news...

More TTC subway closures coming in the spring (Metro News)

Proposed changes to noise bylaw has people sounding off: Hume (Toronto Star)

Metrolinx Fare Integration Background Study: February 2016 Update (Steve Munro)

Torontoist Explains: City Council Revenue Tools (Torontoist)

Old Toronto homes line up for the Century House stamp (Globe and Mail)

Flushing Toronto’s Traffic Congestion With Gusto (Torontoist)

More world news from our sister site SkyriseCities.com:

Aerial Pictures Show The Address The BLVD Close to Completion (Dubai)

Bangkok's Unconventional MahaNakhon Nearing Completion (Bangkok)

Master-Planned Development Could Reshape Houston Site (Houston)

Curvy Shadow Play Planned for Melbourne's Southbank (Melbourne)

With Toronto's perpetually low vacancy rates, renting out a condo for an extra income stream—and to put one more good landlord into the mix!—makes a lot of sense: enough that buckets of local condo owners are getting into the rental game. But it's also a job, with responsibilities to yourself, your tenant, and the law, and it's frequently a bigger job than condo owners bargained for.

Enter the property management company.

For a fee, a property management company will run your condo unit's day to day operations, finding tenants, collecting rent, making repairs, dealing with any issues—basically doing that full-time landlord job.

While you might be the type of landlord who prefers the hands-on approach, here are five reasons why working with a property management company could be the right fit for you.

Suite interior in a Del Rentals unit, image courtesy of Del Rentals

1) There is no substitute for a professional

We discount, in some ways, what experience can mean. It's almost intangible, but it's the difference between diving for Google when a situation arises and being able to say, "Yeah, I've seen this one before"—and knowing exactly what to do.

Property managers know what a good—and legal—lease looks like, which contractors are fast as well as good and affordable, which expenses you can write off at the end of the year on your taxes, what a reasonable market rent is, and more. It's their business to stay current with the developments, standards, and pitfalls of renting out units in the specific neighbourhood you're in.

There's a wealth of experience available through condo property management companies that can be frankly hard to access as the landlord of a single or a few units, even if you've been in the game for a while. That accretion of experience means being able to take the best route forward the first time, and save yourself time, money, stress, and the other bumps which come along any learning curve.

2) Stop problems before they start

One of the major problems a property management company can eliminate—the one that sends landlords looking for one the most often, according to the Globe and Mail—is getting burned. Eviction's a miserable process: paperwork, bad blood, stress, repair expenses, and the not-to-be-discounted disappointment of having someone betray your trust.

If there is one service property management companies offer that's worth their fees by itself, tenant screening would be it. The ability to bring the expertise, big-business resources, contacts, and knowledge on what makes a tenant great stuff or someone to avoid is the first, fundamental step to setting a smooth course for your condo unit. Because every issue is easier to deal with when the right person's on the other side, helping you solve it.

The other major problem a property management company can handily disappear is not knowing the law. The Residential Tenancies Act isn't the most oblique document that's ever come out of a government, but it's a law, and it's got plenty of nuance to learn. Having an expert on hand can keep you from making any innocent missteps that would be a little too interesting to the Landlord and Tenant Board—or to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Suite interior in a Del Rentals unit, image courtesy of Del Rentals

3) Time matters

Yours, and that of your tenants.  Being a landlord isn't, unfortunately, a nine-to-five job; that pipe might burst on the first day of your beach vacation, or that stove might break when you're in the middle of a serious deadline at work—and because those are basic necessities for other human beings, they'll need to get fixed now.

If you have a demanding workplace, substantial family obligations, or just generally do the time and money equation and find time winning out, a property management company might well be the way to go.

4) Stay competitive

The vacancy rates in Toronto are ever-high—but with Urbanation's most recent report showing condo rents on a slight decline in the downtown core, there's still competition for good tenants at rents that cover your mortgage and expenses. The convenience, peace of mind, and access that a property management firm can offer a good tenant matters when it comes time to put in an offer.

What's more, a property management company has contractors on call, and can handle the kind of soft upkeep that keeps a property in excellent condition. A property is a long-term investment, and the tinkering repairs matter: a cabinet hinge here, a fussy closet rail there.  Property managers are trained to consider the long game. A commitment to making sure the little things don't add up keeps your unit rentable for market rates over the course of years.

Suite interior in a Del Rentals unit, image courtesy of Del Rentals

5) The satisfaction of knowing you're a good landlord

Very few people wake up, start a new business venture, and go, "I think I'll phone this one in." So of course you want to be a good landlord: have a great, cordial relationship with your tenants, pick your renters well, offer a great space, and know that both you and your tenants are happy every year at lease renewal time.

On the more budgetary side, word about the quality of a landlord gets around through sites like Rate My Landlord, local startup R3NTR, social media, or just the endless Toronto grapevine. Good landlords rarely have to worry about their unit sitting vacant while tenants pass it up, and good landlords won't have trouble finding new (also responsible) tenants as departing ones recommend the unit to their friends.

Having a property management company on your side is a great, simple way to know you're giving your tenants responsive, polite assistance—and building yourself and your unit a good name. It means less stress and the satisfaction of knowing the job's being done right.

Public recreational facilities such as sport fields, pools, community centres, and ice rinks are an important element in community building. New additions to the city including Regent Park's new Aquatic Centre and Central Park and Parkway Forest's new Community Centre have helped those neighbourhoods develop a refreshed sense of community, and similar projects are expected to enliven other neighbourhoods in the coming years.

To further the goal of community building, The City of Toronto is in the process of developing a 20-year plan to guide both investment and decision making in regards to new public facilities. The new plan will serve as a guide for what, where, how and when to construct new parks and recreation facilities, or revitalize existing spaces to address new needs. The plan also aims to increase accessibility of public spaces, while exploring the possibility of new partnership opportunities.

Regent Park Central Park and Aquatic Centre, image by Rémi Carreiro via Flickr

Public input is being sought on this 20-year plan, and members of the public are being invited to participate in upcoming Town Hall meetings planned across the city. Dates and times for the planned meetings are included below.

• Toronto & East York District: Tuesday, February 23, 7 to 9 PM, Wallace Emmerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin St.) 

• Scarborough District: Wednesday, February 24, 7 to 9 PM, Warden Hilltop Community Centre (25 Mendelssohn St.)

• Etobicoke York District: Wednesday, March 2, 7 to 9 PM, Etobicoke Olympium (590 Rathburn Rd.)

• North York District: Thursday, March 3, 7 to 9 PM, Edithvale Community Centre (131 Finch Ave. W.)

The meetings will be held in accessible locations, and guide dogs will be welcome. Those unable to attend the meetings can participate online by following this link.

A newly-released rendering provides a view of Opearl Developments' Sail Condos from the northeast, placing the building into its context with the glimmering Downtown Toronto skyline on the horizon. The 18-storey Keith Loffler McAlpine Architects-designed condominium tower is located on Sheppard Avenue East, steps east of Victoria Park Avenue and the North York limits in Scarborough. While the development's curving, nautically-inspired southfacade is its most notable design gesture, and the signature element featured in the first rendering of the project, the new rendering focuses in on the Sheppard Avenue frontage.

Rendering of Sail Condos, image courtesy of Opearl Developments

Sail's ground level offers an improved pedestrian realm featuring widened sidewalks along Sheppard, partially sheltered by an overhanging canopy. The rendering also depicts new planting beds and bicycle parking. The four floors above are designed to resemble the bridge of an ocean liner with a generous terrace on the second level and balconies extending off the side above.  

Detail of podium levels at Sail Condos, image courtesy of Opearl Developments

The tower's north side steps back above the fifth level, rising uninterrupted vertically until the uppermost residential level, before stepping back again for the mechanical penthouse level. The mechanical equipment will be mostly open to the elements, screened by a series of horizontal slats.

Detail of upper levels at Sail Condos, image courtesy of Opearl Developments

Sail's 180 suites range from 353 square feet all the way up to 1,412 square feet. Residents at Sail will enjoy a selection of amenity spaces appointed by Gordana Car Design, including a multi-purpose party room, a landscaped outdoor courtyard, and a fitness centre with cardio, aerobics and weights equipment.

Rendering of party room at Sail Condos, image courtesy of Opearl Developments

Additional information and renderings can be found in our dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.

After two decades without a tenant, a retail space in the base of a Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) building at 261 Jarvis Street just north of Dundas, will finally come to life thanks to a $1.6 million, four-year investment by the Ontario provincial government. The new sport, education and research facility for at-risk youth was announced on February 11 by Premier Kathleen Wynne, who was joined at the site by Tracy MacCharles, Minister of Children and Youth Services. The provincial investment will be an important space which supports research for the provincial youth strategy, 'Stepping Up'.

Disused retail space at 261 Jarvis, image retrieved from Google Street View

To be operated by a partnership of the MLSE Foundation, TCHC, and the City of Toronto, the facility will provide 200,000 people between the ages of 6 to 25 from under-serviced communities with access to a multipurpose gymnasium, classrooms and a teaching kitchen, all in an environment designed to foster teamwork and healthy lifestyles. The goal of the new facility—set to open in 2017—is to give young underprivileged Ontarians access to the necessary resources to excel in life.

The funding for the project is part of the provincial government's enhanced Ontario Youth Action Plan, which will see $55 million in investment directed at providing services for youth in Ontario.

"MLSE LaunchPad will encourage teamwork and give young people the discipline and determination to help them tackle any challenge they face in life", said Premier Kathleen Wynne. "Our government is pleased to support these innovative programs, which will help youth develop the skills and habits they need to reach their full potential".

Along with the benefits that users of the facility will derive, this stretch of Jarvis Street will finally become lively, and a vital part of the quickly revitalize eastern shoulders of Toronto's Downtown area.