Category: Sunnybrook Plaza Redevelopment

Sunnybrook Plaza Redevelopment: Virtual Meeting April 2

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An update brought to you by the Broadway Area Residents Association (BARA)

Rendering for proposed mixed-use development of three towers at a height of 32, 37 and 43 storeys at 660 Eglinton Ave E. View: Looking north from the park (by Turner Fleischer Architects Inc. for CONCERT PROPERTIES) /City of Toronto

SUNNYBROOK PLAZA (VIRTUAL) PUBLIC MEETING APRIL 2nd AT 6 P.M.

The City of Toronto will hold a virtual public meeting to hear community input on the updated proposal for the redevelopment of the Sunnybrook Plaza site at the northeast corner of Bayview & Eglinton on Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m.

You can join online or by phone. Register anytime in advance here to be able to attend next Wednesday’s meeting.

The developer had originally proposed two mid-rise mixed-use buildings of 11 and 16 storeys. Following the subsequent changes to the city’s official plan made by the Ontario government, a revised application for three towers of 32, 37 and 43 storeys has since been submitted.

The Broadway Area Residents Association (BARA) and the Leaside Residents Association (LRA) are encouraging area residents to participate in the public meeting and make their concerns known to city planners.

BROADWAY PARKETTE CHALLENGE

The city’s plan to designate three lots adjacent to the planned redevelopment of the Esso station site at Broadway and Eglinton as future green space is being challenged by the property owners. The original motion, passed by Toronto City Council, was one of the last initiated by the late area Councillor, Jaye Robinson.

Designed to increase the amount of public park space amid the massive redevelopment plans for both the Esso site and the adjacent Glazebrook Ave. townhouses, the measure is being challenged at the Ontario Land Tribunal, a provincial body which can override municipal decisions. BARA is seeking party status for the proceedings, to support the city’s argument against the appeal and in favour of keeping the future parkette plan in place.

The Broadway Area Residents Association (BARA) is a volunteer organization of Bayview/Eglinton residents who care deeply about their neighbourhood.

We work hard to ensure that our concerns about the impact of new developments on the history and character of our neighbourhood are fully and fairly considered. BARA opposes inappropriate redevelopment in our area, such as 25 to 46-storey towers abutting 2-storey houses and buildings with inadequate parking for residents and guests.

Stay informed by joining the Broadway Area Residents Association (BARA) Facebook Group, or mailing list. Input your e-mail address below to subscribe:

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Stay informed by joining the Broadway Area Residents Association (BARA) mailing list. Input your e-mail address below to subscribe:

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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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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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 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 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

Sunnybrook Plaza locked up tight at Bayview Ave. entrance

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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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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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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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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.