housing
College Park redevelopment at Yonge and College: three towers, 2,342 units, heritage alteration approved
Toronto and East York Community Council approved a mixed-use development at 420-444 Yonge Street and 1-23 College Street: three towers of 65, 75, and 96 storeys with 2,342 residential units, 216 replacement rental units for 210 existing tenants, conservation of the heritage College Park building, and 600 square metres of new parkland. The project requires an Official Plan Amendment because it breaches the protected view corridor of City Hall and Old City Hall. Infrastructure strain in the downtown core and tenant protections were the central disputes.
From the floor
“The proposal conserves and thoughtfully respects the heritage base building while introducing three towers on the site, 65, 96, and 75 stories. This vertically integrates new housing, retail spaces, child care, and a boutique hotel, and also includes 100% replacement flora area for existing rental units totaling 260 rental replacement units.”Weston Consulting on behalf of GWL Realty Advisors, the applicant
“We are committed to working with the tenants as we've already met with them regularly and we'll continue to work with them through the process to meet their needs.”Urban Strategies, on behalf of GWL Realty Advisors, the applicant
“Right now the number of people living there is putting serious strain on all of the infrastructure and I mean all of it. The subway station at peak times 10 12 people deep it can be five or six trains go by and that you can't get on 20 25 minute wait and very crowded.”A resident
“The infrastructure cannot meet the current needs of the current population of that square city block, let alone the 93 story tower that's already going up across the street with about four to 5,000 new residents. And you want to add three more towers, one over 90 floors tall and the other 60 and 70. If it's already broken, don't fix if it's not broken, don't fix it. But if it's broken, don't break it more.”A resident
“This is a site where major growth can make sense. It is directly on top of College Station. It is in the downtown core. It already has a mix of commercial, cultural, residential, and transit uses. I am not here to argue that nothing should change, but I'm asking committee not to treat this as a routine approval.”Resident of Ward 11 and candidate for city council in Ward 11 University Rosedale
2 more people spoke
“That combination demands a higher standard of public interest protection. First, tenants need stronger, clearer, and more public accountability. The staff report includes a replacement rental units, right of return, similar rents, and a tenant assistance plan. Those are important. But for tenants, especially seniors and people with special needs, the real question is not only what is written in the agreement. It is whether they can actually navigate reallocation, uncertainty, construction timelines, and return.”Resident of Ward 11 and candidate for city council in Ward 11 University Rosedale
“Move this forward only with stronger conditions before final council approval. Require clear clearer tenant accountability, clear construction and public realm communication, stronger heritage transparency, and a concrete community benefits package. Growth at young and college may be appropriate, but growth at this scale must show residents that city hall is not just approving height and density. It is protecting homes, heritage, public space, and trust.”Resident of Ward 11 and candidate for city council in Ward 11 University Rosedale
Also in this item
• Official Plan Amendment required: the project breaches the protected view corridor of City Hall and Old City Hall, a constraint that typically triggers heightened scrutiny.
• 210 existing rental units will be demolished and replaced with 216 units. A tenant assistance plan is promised, but no on-the-record commitment to exceed statutory minimum requirements or use developer's own vacant units for displacement.
• A candidate for city council (Ward 11 University Rosedale) deputized against the item and is running on a housing/heritage protection platform. His stated position may signal or shape the Council vote in that ward.
The journey
Time to act
You can weigh in
City Council vote is the next stage. Residents can contact their City Council members before the vote. The item moves from Community Council to City Council for final approval.
Decision
Approved by Toronto and East York Community Council. The Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendment was recommended for City Council approval. The decision includes the proposal as presented: three towers, 2,342 units, 216 replacement rental units, heritage conservation of the base building, 600 square-metre parkland dedication, and a tenant assistance plan addressing right of return and similar rents.
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