A major transformation could soon reshape the intersection of O’Connor Drive and St Clair Avenue East in East York. A development application has been submitted for a 16-storey mixed-use condominium project at 793–797 O’Connor Drive. Proposed by 2027708 Ontario Limited and designed by Studio JCI, the building will introduce both residential units and street-facing retail to this predominantly low-rise area.
The site spans 2,654m² across two parcels and is located at the southeast corner of the O’Connor and St Clair intersection. The current property at 793 O’Connor contains a vacant detached house in disrepair. The rear of the lot slopes into a wooded ravine, part of a designated natural heritage area.
A Ravine Stewardship Plan, developed by Urban Forest Associates, guides development away from this sensitive area, with a 10-metre buffer established from the top-of-slope.
Urban Toronto reports that while the site is within a designated transit corridor, nearby developments remain modest in height, emphasizing the proposed building’s dramatic contrast to the local built form.
The proposed structure will rise to 16 storeys (55.53 metres), with a Gross Floor Area of 16,145m². This includes:
- 15,936m² for residential use
- 209m² of retail space across two commercial units
- 219 condominium units atop a 4- to 6-storey podium
- A Floor Space Index (FSI) of 6.20 times the lot area
The development will include 581m² of indoor amenities and 314m² of outdoor rooftop space. There will be two high-speed elevators to service the 219 units. Nearly 45% of the units will be family-sized (two- and three-bedroom), addressing a critical housing need in Toronto.
A two-level underground garage will provide the following parking options:
- 31 spaces for residents
- 15 spaces for visitors
- 8 spaces for retail customers
- 197 long-term and 44 short-term bicycle parking spaces
The site is well-served by public transit, with four TTC bus routes converging at the nearby intersection. It also provides connectivity to Danforth Line 2 and the upcoming Eglinton Line 5.
The scale and scope of this project will require a diverse range of construction professionals and skilled tradespeople, including:
- Excavation crews for underground garage work
- Concrete formers and finishers for the podium and tower structure
- Steelworkers for structural framing
- Electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians for interior systems
- Elevator installers for high-speed lifts
- Waterproofing and insulation specialists
- Window and facade installers
- Interior trades such as drywallers, painters, and flooring specialists
- Landscapers for rooftop and buffer zone planting
With its strategic location, sustainable planning approach, and emphasis on family-sized units, the proposed development at 793–797 O’Connor Drive could set a new standard for urban intensification in East York. It also promises significant employment opportunities for construction workers across multiple trades.
DataBid is reporting on this project - 797 OConnor Drive Mixed Use Development OConnor Parkview - Toronto (0063061125)