Dual 60-Storey Towers Proposed Along Yonge in Thornhill

urbantoronto.ca
Anthony Teles
Nov. 3, 2023

Thornhill is set to benefit from the enhanced connectivity of the future Yonge North Subway Extension, which will extend Yonge Line 1 from Finch station in North York to Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill. With developers looking to capitalize on this by increasing density in the northern Greater Toronto Area, Grmada Holdings Inc has submitted Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications to the City of Markham for the site north of the future Clark station. Situated at the bustling intersection of Yonge and Elgin streets in the heart of Thornhill, this architectural endeavour would take shape at 7509 through 7529 Yonge Street.

The proposal calls for two soaring 60-storey towers, designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects.

The site, which encompasses approximately 7,180m², consolidates 7509 and 7529 Yonge Street. Its proximity to the planned transit line places it within a Major Transit Station Area. The site is currently home to a one-storey commercial building for the York Farmers Market, along with surface parking.

The design of the towers, sitting atop a podium ranging from one to eight storeys, would reflect a contemporary aesthetic while complementing existing structures. With each tower standing at 195.5m, the pair would house 1,330 residential units between them, with layouts ranging from one to three bedrooms, and predominantly feature one-bedroom configurations. This allocation suggests a targeting of professionals and small families, indicative of the demographic shift towards urban living preferences.

Commercial retail spaces would be woven into the ground level, maintaining the site's tradition of serving the community's shopping needs, including a nod to its history with a planned space for the York Farmers Market. The second storey would feature indoor amenities spread over 1,849m² and contiguous outdoor spaces totalling 2,697m². The plans include six elevators for each tower, providing a ratio of approximately one elevator for every 111 units.

The proposal includes 628 parking spaces across four levels of underground garage, with 493 allocated to residents and 135 to visitors and retail. Additionally, 1,330 bicycle parking spots are planned, including 1,064 for residential use and 266 for visitors and retail, further underscoring an emphasis on sustainable transportation options.

This vision for a connected community is underpinned by the upcoming Yonge North Subway Extension, slated to stretch the TTC's Yonge Line 1 into York Region, bringing with it a wave of accessibility and convenience for its surroundings. Clark station, set to be about a 5-minute walk from the site, will offer residents and visitors easy access to Toronto and beyond. The site is currently serviced by multiple York Region Transit (YRT) bus routes.

The area itself is undergoing an uptick in high-rise development, with the development application noting several projects proposed, approved, and under construction in the area that reach heights of up to 65 storeys. Neighbouring developments like the 33-storey building at 17 Morgan Avenue to the south, and the quartet of towers at 10 Royal Orchard to the north --- with the tallest projected at 59 storeys --- underscore the community's shift towards vertical expansion. This cluster of high-rise developments in proximity to the future subway stations exemplifies a strategic push for densification, leveraging transit expansion as a catalyst for urban growth.

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.