The Canada Square project, a five-tower development planned for the southwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton intersection in Toronto, has undergone significant changes. Originally, the project proposed the total demolition of the two towers currently on the site and replacing them with five skyscrapers up to 70 storeys tall. However, new plans submitted in December to the City of Toronto now include retaining the existing office building at 2200 Yonge, and the tallest of the proposed towers will now only reach 65 storeys.
Despite the reduced height, the development now includes a total of 2,892 residential units, up
from the original 2,701 units. These units will mainly be market rental housing, but some
affordable units will be provided, and 40% of the units will be two- and three-bedrooms.
The revision came after months of feedback from various city divisions, including the Design Review Panel, which raised concerns about carbon emissions from the demolition of existing towers, the quality of public space, and the design of the TTC pavilion on the property.
To address these concerns, Oxford Properties, the developer behind Canada Square, has included a significantly larger parkland dedication of 4,200 sq. m and set aside approximately 5,500 sq. m for a “large community use space” along Berwick Avenue, with potential programs to be determined later. The development will also feature a reconfigured mid-block connection for pedestrians, retail storefronts, and a large community gathering space called Canada Square Plaza.
The five glassy towers, reaching between 45 and 65 storeys, have undergone several changes in the new application. Instead of one large tower above the mid-block connection, there will now be two towers on the north half of the site, sharing the space with the remaining 2200 Yonge office building. A TTC pavilion providing access to the Eglinton subway station and a bus terminal integrated below the northernmost tower is also proposed.
The development will be constructed in three phases, beginning with the northernmost 65-storey tower and ending with the southern 55-storey tower. The proposal will need to go through various City divisions before any approvals can be given out.
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