Choice Properties has submitted Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the City of Toronto for redeveloping their Loblaws store along with other properties on Broadview Avenue south of Danforth Avenue.
The total site is an assembly of 682, 686, 688, 720, 740 and 742 Broadview. At the south end are three heritage-listed 3-storey residential buildings currently leased to a supportive housing charity at 682, 686 and 688 Broadview. At 720 there is the existing Loblaws and its parking lot, and at 740 and 742 there are two 3-storey, mixed-use, retail and residential rental buildings.
Urban Toronto reports that this redevelopment proposal was designed by superkul and Public Work and includes the following:
- Seven storey podium around the three listed houses at the south end and replaces the current 1,876 m2 grocery store and parking lot with new public space
- Proposes a new 2,090 m2 grocery store at the base of a 35-storey tower
- Removing 740 Broadview at the north end
- Adding a new service lane
- Preserving 742 Broadview which is being considered for heritage listing
"Broadview + Danforth is an important anchor to the east end, with close proximity to Broadview Station and TTC Streetcar service, as well as sweeping views across the Don Valley to the downtown skyline. Our proposal aims to bring much needed housing to the area, along with a new grocery store, an enhanced public realm, new shops, and a potential connection which will reintroduce the current ravine back into the community."
Vice President of Development & Planning at Choice | Joe Svec
The 35 storey tower would rise almost 120 metres including the mechanical penthouse. It will feature:
- 503 residential units
- 274 one-bedroom units
- 175 two-bedroom units
- 54 three-bedroom units
- public space at ground level between the grocery store and houses
- 460 square metre park dedicated to the City of Toronto
- 1,364 m2 landscaped plaza
- Two pavilions for the park and plaza
- A smaller seasonal kiosk closer to the sidewalk
- A larger year-round retail unit (possibly a cafe)
- Underground park and enclosed loading
- South end of side will have a plaza feature connecting to the ravine called the "Valley Portal"
The plaza transitions via ramps and stairs down the slope into a proposed park, plaza and potential new pedestrian and bicycle connections into the Don Valley trail network. This could eventually be a link to a City-proposed multi-use trail into Riverdale Park beside the Don Valley Parkway onramp that descends from Bloor Street East.
Meg Graham, founding co-partner of superkul stated that the proposed building will be set back from Broadview and raised on columns to create an urban-scaled open plaza and gateway to the ravine, which would re-establish a public connection to this vital landscape at a significant urban intersection.