Ontario mega-development with 17 towers just got the green light
Toronto boasts the most recognizable skyline in Canada, but another Ontario city is quickly asserting its verticality with a handful of towers reshaping the local cityscape, and a whole lot more change looming on the horizon.
The City of Vaughan recently approved a transformative plan to bring a whopping 17 towers to the burgeoning Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC) area — further intensifying the new purpose-built downtown core that has already created an entirely new local skyline over the last decade.
The massive 27-acre Toromont Master Plan's 17 towers will rival the already established skylines of many Ontario cities, punctuated by an enormous 73-storey tower.
If built as envisioned by developer Toromont and designers WZMH Architects, the plan would introduce a staggering 9,950 residential units across four development blocks, joined by office, hotel, retail, and community spaces.
A significant public space contribution of 1.6 acres would help tie the sprawling community in with the nascent ground realm, including the planned Millway Linear Park and Central Park.
A plan of this size in a suburban setting would usually mean thousands of cars pouring onto local roads. However, Toromont and WZMH sought to capitalize on VMC's transit connectivity, home to the northwest terminus of the TTC's Line 1 subway since the 2017 opening of its most recent extension. In addition to its TTC access, the plan envisions over 8,000 bicycle parking spaces.
However, 17 towers don't just appear overnight — especially amid the current housing market slump. The plan would be delivered in phases, with a first phase set to house almost 3,300 residential units, office space, and portions of the planned park network.
"We are delighted to have designed and help guide this project through to its final approval," said WZMH Principal Len Abelman.
"We are also incredibly proud of the collaborative effort between our team, Toromont Industries, the City of Vaughan and Council, and the many consultants and stakeholders who helped bring this vision forward. We are excited to see the project move toward realization and contribute to Vaughan's continued growth as a vibrant urban centre."
WZMH Architects
