WHAT'S GOING ON HERE? Newmarket's Upper Canada Mall property could be site of 5,100 housing units

5,100 housing units proposed for land around mall

Yorkregion.com
June 24, 2021
Lisa Queen

The owner of Upper Canada Mall hopes to build more than 5,100 housing units as part of a development vision for the property over 35-plus years.

JUST THE FACTS:

Oxford Properties Retail Holdings Inc. will keep the mall, with the plans calling for the lands surrounding the shopping centre to include 5,121 residential units, 9,700-square metres (104,400-square-feet) of non-residential space, a new road system and 1.8 hectares (4.5 acres) of parks, Oz Kemal, a partner with MHBC Planning Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, said at a June 21 town council meeting.

Council made no decision on Oxford's plans for the property at Yonge Street and Davis Drive. The proposal will now be reviewed by planning staff, who will bring back a report.

While there may be some condos, the majority of residential units will be purpose-built rental, which are long-term rentals, Oxford vice-president Cory Estrela said.

Regional malls such as Upper Canada Mall, Yorkdale Shopping Centre and the Eaton Centre, are expected to continue drawing higher-end retailers, amenities such as theatres and gyms and customers looking for in-person experiences, Kemal said.

With Yonge and Davis becoming a VIVA rapid transit hub, there are also other proposed developments in the area.

That includes three residential buildings of 17- to 21 storeys containing 530 units and 1,200 square metres (20,450-square feet) of commercial space at 17645 Yonge, a subdivision of 111 single-family houses, 571 townhouses and 46 semi-detached homes at 219 Hwy. 9, three residential buildings nine- to 15-storeys at 175 Deerfield Rd., two residential buildings and 175 square metres (almost 1,900 square feet) of commercial space at 17365 and 17395 Yonge, a parking lot expansion to support the York Region administration centre addition at 85 Eagle St. W., a 12-storey residential building with 192 units at 55 Eagle St., 40 stacked townhouses at 345-351 Davis and 27 townhouses at 260 Eagle, Kemal said.