Category: Sunnybrook Plaza Redevelopment

Revised proposal for 660 Eglinton (Sunnybrook Plaza)

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Dec. 2023 – 660 Eglinton Ave E (Sunnybrook Plaza) /South Bayview Bulldog archive photo

A revised redevelopment proposal has been submitted for the former Sunnybrook Plaza site at 660 Eglinton Ave E and 278 Bessborough Dr. The updated plan, led by Concert Properties, seeks rezoning approval for a mixed-use development featuring three residential towers at 32, 37, and 43 storeys. The project includes 1,201 residential units — a mix of rental and condominium housing — and 419 parking spaces, along with retail spaces fronting Eglinton and Bayview.

Building B (43-storeys) is anticipated to be built first introducing 460 rental apartments that will be managed and marketed by Concert. Approximately 43% of the rental apartments are expected to be 2 and 3-bedroom suites. Buildings C (37-storeys) and D (32-storeys) are anticipated to be condominium ownership and may be built independently or together, depending on market conditions.

The proposal also dedicates 278 Bessborough Dr as a new public park, expanding the adjacent Bessborough Parkette. Since the previous 2020 planning approval, Concert acquired the residential property at 278 Bessborough Drive adjacent to the existing public park on the northeast corner of Eglinton Avenue East.

Vehicle access will be provided from Bayview and Eglinton, with parking integrated both underground and within podium levels.

The revised plan marks a significant departure from earlier approvals in 2016 and 2020, reflecting evolving city planning priorities and a stronger focus on transit-oriented development. For a detailed history of past applications and planning decisions for the redevelopment of 660 Eglinton Ave E and 278 Bessborough Dr, including key milestones from 2016, 2020, and the revised 2024 proposal, readers can refer to the Planning Rationale document available on the City of Toronto’s Application Details page.

End of an era: Sunnybrook Plaza demolition has begun

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Dec. 2023 – 660 Eglinton Ave E (Sunnybrook Plaza) /South Bayview Bulldog archive photo

Since its fencing off in 2020, the long-anticipated demolition of Sunnybrook Plaza has finally commenced — in December 2023.

“Leaside Heritage is proud to say we now have in our LHPS collection, donated by Concert Properties, the clock, SP and Sunnybrook Plaza signage from the tower plus the letters that surrounded the offices which spelled, “Sunnybrook Plaza Offices”.” Leaside Heritage on Facebook

Eerie echoes from past emerge at vacant Sunnybrook Plaza

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Echoes of the past at empty Sunnybrook Plaza/Virginia Lennox Kelly Facebook
John and Chris Interiors in September

Here’s an eerie echo of the past posted to Leaside Community Facebook page by member Virginia Lennox Kelly. John and Chris Interiors was among the oldest tenant at the 1951 plaza. They had been in business since 1971 at this location. But behind their sign was this even older retail memory of Marion’s Smoke Shop, Gifts and Barber Shop. Talk about a multi-purpose store. Other such Sunnybrook memories have come to the surface as seen in this 2017 post about the mall’s original Canadian Bank of Commerce sign.

Last anchor at Sunnybrook, Rexall opens at 1820 Bayview

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Rexall now open at 1820 Bayview Ave.

Rexall has opened its pharmacy at 1820 Bayview Ave. on the west side of the street between Roehampton and Glazebrook Aves. The move shifts the last anchor tenant from Sunnybrook Plaza. There’s been a Rexall (and before that a Pharma Plus} drugstore at Sunnybrook for decades. The new store is smaller and employs a modest mezzanine level to accommodate all necessary stock. A wheelchair lift takes disabled customers up the four or five steps. There is parking behind the store accessed off Glazebrook.

Sunnybrook in 2009 hosted Mac’s, CIBC, Wrap-It-Up. Rogers, Paws N Claws, Black’s, Rexall, Home Hardware, Source, Second Cup and Sunnybrook Restaurant among many others

Sunnybrook Plaza will creak past 2020 before demolition

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Sunnybrook Plaza is merely a shadow of its former self but it appears business will continue in some form well into 2020 and perhaps beyond. It’s understood that the plaza’s owner, RioCan Reit, will avoid lease cancellation payments by letting tenants stay to the bitter end if they choose. But few will remain by late next year. Rexall is set to move into space around the corner at 1820 Bayview in April.

UPS to 82 Laird

The UPS store will move to 82 Laird Drive in a few weeks. That’s beside Express Hand Car Wash. The Ontario government has also told RioCan not to start work on redeveloping the plaza until the corner of Eglinton and Bayview is more or less back to normal. Seems that will be no sooner than mid-2021.

Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen

The new restaurant at 1613 Bayview will be called Darna Middle Eastern Kitchen. The windows of this new business remain papered over and there is no indication yet of the opening date.

Urban Toronto shows updated plans for Sunnybrook Plaza

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Urban Toronto has published updated information for the redevelopment of the Sunnybrook Plaza at 660 Eglinton Ave East. They note that the project has been redesigned with the OMB-mediated heights of 16 and 11 storeys (55.9 and 44.05 metres high), reduced from the previous 19 and 13-storey heights. More: UrbanToronto

West tower, Sunnybrook Plaza redevelopment, image via submission to City of Toronto – SOURCE: urbantoronto.ca
East tower, Sunnybrook Plaza redevelopment, image via submission to City of Toronto – SOURCE: urbantoronto.ca

Sunnybrook Plaza locked up tight at Bayview Ave. entrance

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Sunnybrook Plaza closed at Bayview entrance

The recent transfer of traffic to the west side of Bayview Ave. at Eglinton has brought a close to the entrance to Sunnybrook Plaza. The present traffic configuration is said to be for a period ending sometime in June. Speculation seems reasonable that Sunnybrook will be locked-in at the west end until then. The closure seems to render a serious blow to businesses in the plaza. Many people had stopped going there but it seems few indeed will struggle through the single file line of buses, trucks and cars that crowd Eglinton westbound. At this writing, the Bulldog is not up to date on the prospect for left turns onto Eglinton, if any.

Sunnybrook the plaza of empty stores and not much parking

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Home Hardware is closed
Traffic jam
Going nowhere

Sunnybrook Plaza was experiencing a curious traffic jam this week as motorists sat in their cars waiting for a spot or at least a little movement to leave. Some of the parked vehicles jamming the lot may be owned by construction workers. There are a few service stores remaining at the 1952 strip mall. Mamma’s Pizza and Subway are still able to feed Leaside High School kids at lunch. But only one anchor store remains. Operators of the Rexall Drugstore are quietly carrying on despite the departure this month of next-door Home Hardware. CIBC, Source and Mac’s have long since left. Sad.

Home Hardware ready to say goodbye to Sunnybrook Plaza

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Closing Down

Home Hardware in the Sunnybrook Plaza has confirmed that the end is near for the store that has been an essential go-to place in South Bayview. An employee says that that owner Malcolm expects to be at the location until about November. There are apparently no plans to open another area store so far. Rents are high, it was noted. Malcolm owns three other Home Hardware operations, two on the Danforth and one at 2305 Queen East in the Beach. The closest Home Hardware store now appears to be at 1420 Yonge (at Pleasant Blvd). You will walk from the Green P garage on Pleasant up to Yonge and cross the street to patronize it. Dickson Home Hardware at 2028 Avenue Rd. is very good (and large) but it’s nearly at Highway 401. Most days, we would trade an LRT for a good Home Hardware.

Sunnybrook Plaza residential units to be 100 percent rental

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Planned at Sunnybrook Plaza

The redevelopment of Sunybrook Plaza, which may still be two or three years away, will see the new 16 and 11 tower residential complex offered solely as rental apartments. There will be about 332,000 square feet of such relatively high-end accommodation built into the project along with some 43,000 square feet of retail space. The subject was raised Wednesday at the Leaside Property Owners Association meeting by Councillor Jon Burnside. Sunnybrook Plaza has operated for many decades under the ownership of the RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust Company. Earlier this year, RioCan sold a half interest in the redevelopment to Concert Real Estate Corporation. On completion of the new complex, Concert will operate the residential side of the business and RioCan the retail side. Councillor Burnside said the rental option might give area residents an opportunity to stay in the community after selling their homes without having to buy a major asset.

Mid-Century bank archeology revealed at Sunnybrook Plaza

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The permanent closure of the CIBC branch in Sunnyrook Plaza and the removal of the new plastic sign has revealed part of the original limestone carving that graced the branch when it opened in 1951. It didn’t belong to CIBC yet. That merger came in 1960. This was a branch of The Canadian Bank of Commerce. A close look (and good eyes) on the file picture left will reveal how the chiselled name proclaimed

THE Canadian Bank
of COMMERCE

The bank liked to be known as The Commerce. It appears from the picture taken Sunday that the top half of the limestone sign was cemented over when hooks were installed for CIBC signs in later years.