Grocery store near Toronto to be redeveloped with condos after 20 years in business

Blogto.com
Oct. 27, 2023

An entirely new skyline will soon stretch across Toronto's northern city limit as the area of Yonge and Steeles prepares for a generational transformation, all built on the back of the new Steeles Station planned as part of the Yonge North Subway Extension.

Mirroring the wave of development applications on the Toronto side south of Steeles, plans are being filed in a similarly frenzied manner for the blocks to the north in Vaughan as developers race to intensify land surrounding the future station.

A plan to redevelop an assembly of properties wrapping around the northwest corner of Yonge and Steeles has been brewing since 2020 and was recently resubmitted to the City of Vaughan with several refinements that bring it closer to final approvals.

Included in the assembly are 72 Steeles Avenue West and 7040-7054 Yonge Street, the former address home to a business park with a Moore's menswear location, and the latter the site of Korean grocery chain Galleria Supermarket's original Thornhill location.

Developer Humbold Properties is seeking to replace the existing buildings with a four-tower community far taller than anything that exists on site today, but proposed in line with other large-scale in the pipeline for the immediate surrounding blocks.

The approximately 19,681 square metre (1.97 hectare) L-shaped site would be built out with towers of 60, 59, 45, and 38 storeys, featuring designs by Kirkor Architects Planners.

The developer has proposed a phased approach for developing the site in accordance with demand, which will likely give the existing supermarket a few more years of shelf life.

A first phase of development would include 59-, 45-, and 38-storey towers at the southwest and northwest portions of the site, while the 60-storey tower would follow as a second phase at the eastern portion of the site.

This phasing approach would guarantee Galleria Supermarket another few years in business, as the developer would focus on the western areas of the site for the initial build-out.

While Galleria will ultimately have to relocate prior to the second phase, the development includes plenty of opportunities for a new grocery store to serve the community.

Large retail spaces in the bases of both phases would continue to serve locals, and offer ample space for Galleria or another grocer to set up shop once all is realized.