Dual 38-Storey Towers Proposed in Vaughan Metropolitan Centre

Urbantoronto.ca
Sept. 21, 2023
Anthony Teles

Amidst the rapid urban transformation in the burgeoning Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), a new development proposal aims for greater density and vertical growth in its east end. The Cortel Group has submitted a Zoning By-law Amendment application for The Forum at 2800 Highway 7, an 11-minute walk east of the VMC station on the TTC's University Line 1, providing commuters access to the Greater Toronto Area.

The site is at the north end of a 2.6-hectare block occupied by the Riviera Convention and Banquet Centre, and would replace its surface parking lot. The area proposed to be rezoned spans approximately 7,695m².

The area, dominated by low-rise industrial structures, is undergoing a partial transformation into a high-rise downtown for Vaughan, complete with residential, office, retail, cultural, and civic amenities. The Forum, with its proximity to the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway station and YRT Viva bus service along Highway 7, exemplifies the ongoing trend of transit-oriented development proposals in the area. The developer aims to align its plan here with the City's vision for the VMC area.

The proposal calls for two identical towers designed by BDP Quadrangle, rising to 38 storeys or a height of 126.39m. Each tower would rise from a one-storey podium, connected via a breezeway. The Forum's proposal boasts a total of 840 residential units, evenly distributed between the two towers. Each tower will be equipped with four elevators, translating to one elevator for every 105 units.

Residents would have access to a diverse range of indoor spaces, including a wellness spa, fitness centre, office amenities, party rooms, and workshops. The west tower would feature 1,203m² of indoor amenity space complemented by an 800m² outdoor area while the east tower would offer 1,270m² of indoor amenities and an additional 867m² outdoors. Outdoor enthusiasts would also enjoy a 1,500m² POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly-accessible Space) and pedestrian routes at grade.

A total of 858 vehicular parking spaces would spread across four levels of a below-grade garage. Of these, 693 spaces are designated for residents, while 165 are allocated to visitors. In addition to motor vehicle parking, the Forum would have a total of 845 bicycle parking spaces, with 775 spaces dedicated for residents and 70 for visitors and retail patrons.

As the VMC Secondary Plan outlines, the region is set to be a hub of activity. The development's location is situated within a Major Transit Station Area, along an Intensification Corridor and in an Urban Growth Centre, as defined by the Province's Growth Plan.

Surrounding the Forum, other developments are marking their presence in the VMC's east end. To the south, the Vincent Condominiums, with its tallest tower set to rise to 37 storeys, are under construction. To the west, the CG Tower, destined to reach 60 storeys, is also currently taking shape. East of Maplecrete Road and south of Highway 7, there are proposals for V City Condos, 130 Doughton, and 171 Maplecrete, all proposed around the 50-storey mark, indicating a trend towards high-density urban living in Vaughan.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.