39- and 40-Storey Towers Proposed at Keele and 7 in Vaughan

Urbantoronto.ca
Sept. 8, 2023
Anthony Teles

Vaughan is experiencing a surge in urban transformation, with high-rise developments dotting the formerly low-rise landscape in several pockets across the city north of Toronto. While the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre area has seen the bulk of activity thanks to the University Line 1 terminal station at its centre, there is another proposed transit station that is currently attracting the attention of developers.

Just east of Highway 7 and Keele Street, the Atelier Park development proposes to transform a low-rise light industrial block into a mixed-use community. Situated less than a 10-minute walk from the proposed Concord GO station, the new station if approved would put the Atelier Park site within the bounds of a Major Transit Station Area (MTSA). Accordingly, the Cortel Group has submitted a Draft Plan of Subdivision for the whole block and a Site Plan Approval application for Phase 1, signalling the beginning of a transformative journey for this 3.9-hectare parcel of land.

The current site, municipally addressed as 2160 and 2180 Highway 7, is characterized by industrial and employment uses. It is situated mid-block between Keele Street and Bowes Road, with approximately 150m of frontage along Highway 7. The area is largely industrial, with few community amenities, making the proposed development a potentially pivotal interjection to the area.

Designed by Arcadis -- the Amsterdam-based global firm that acquired Toronto-based IBI Group in Fall 2022 -- the first phase of Atelier Park would bring two residential towers with heights of 125.95m (39 storeys) and 128.6m (40 storeys), respectively. They would rise from a shared two-storey podium and feature 425 and 453 units respectively.

Each tower would have four elevators, serving approximately 106 and 113 units per elevator. The gross floor area (GFA) for the residential and retail components would total 65,951m² and 413m², respectively. Indoor and outdoor amenities would span 829m² and 467m², located on the ground and third floors.

A key feature of the development is a POPS (Privately Owned Publicly accessible Space), designed as a linear open space which the proponents liken to a pedestrian-focused "secret garden." This space would be framed by the podium of the two towers and act as a gateway from Highway 7. Parking would be provided in five levels below grade, offering a total of 820 spaces. Additionally, parking spaces for 622 bicycles have been incorporated into the building.

Pedestrian facilities and on-street cycling lanes are available on both sides of Highway 7. The site is also served by the dedicated Viva BRT, with stops in both directions on Highway 7 at the Keele Street intersection. The proposed Concord GO station would be east of the site at Highway 7 and Bowes Road.

Looking ahead in the years to come, Atelier Park is set to evolve beyond its initial phase. The master plan envisions a total of 10 residential towers rising from six podiums, divided into six phases of development. According to the developer, each phase aims to contribute to the overall vision of creating a mixed-use destination with a strong sense of community and unique experiences. Cortel indicates that as the first phase takes shape, it will set the stage for the subsequent phases, each designed to build upon the last, adding layers of amenities, retail spaces, and residential units.

The area of the potential MTSA includes other significant proposals. To the southwest, 7733 Keele Street is proposed at 16 storeys, while 7700 Keele Street aims for 60 storeys. To the east, a proposal at 1890 Highway 7 calls for 27 storeys. These developments collectively indicate a significant transformation for the area, aligning with the City of Vaughan's urban design guidelines.