Condominium Proposed at Kipling and Hwy 7 in Vaughan

Urbantoronto.ca
April 21, 2023

There is plenty of land to be found for development and intensification venturing north of Toronto’s city limits into the towns and cities of York Region.

Elegance Residence is a proposed condominium in the Woodbridge area of southwest Vaughan. for which Avalee Homes has submitted a Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Approval applications.

The site is on the west side of Lansdowne Avenue, just northeast of the intersection of Kipling Avenue and Highway 7. It is about 3,040m in area and is an assembly of five properties from 4 to 24 Lansdowne, previously home to a commercial unit and several detached dwellings which have been demolished. The site is south of single detached dwellings, west of Woodbridge Public School, and a five-minute walk to multiple parks.

The design by Diamond Schmitt Architects calls for a 13-storey building standing 47.68m tall and containing 72 residential units. With two elevators included in the architectural plans, that would result in 36 units per elevator, a very high ratio promising short waits. A step back at the ground floor along Highway 7 would allow for a cantilevered area for the main entrance. The design also features descending masonry volumes stepping down from south to north, providing scale for the condominium relative to the surrounding residences.

The proposal has undergone revisions since a high-level concept was first presented to the City of Vaughan in 2018, initially proposed at 12 storeys with a three-storey podium. City staff provided feedback that included improving transition of density with the dwellings to the north, as well as opportunities for public art.

A revised submission in 2019 proposed 93 units with a floating podium and enhanced landscaping for a private park space. The City of Vaughan then provided further feedback compiled in a comments and response matrix. The current architectural plans and the 2019 resubmission both call for three levels of underground parking, with 149 parking spaces and 44 bicycle parking spots.

The resubmission also includes plans for a two-storey co-working office space, along with a retail space of 338m. There would also be a private amenity space totalling 4,104m. The park area of 660m, situated along Highway 7, would be designated a POPS (Privately Owned Publicly accessible Space).

The site is only 50m from local bus stops for the VIVA Bus Rapid Transit, York Regional Transit local bus services, and a Brampton Transit ZUM route.

The proposal notes the Vaughan Official Plan, declaring it is in line with the Plan in regards to increased density and environmental features.