[Paclo]

1450-1500 O'Connor Drive, currently a retail plaza with 1-storey commercial structures and surface parking.
Proposal calls for four buildings with 29, 21, 15 & 14 storeys, mixed-use rental, retail, daycare & parkland designed by Arcadis and developed by 1000920447 Ontario Inc.

Site plan:

Renderings:

AIC link:

Application Details

www.toronto.ca

 

[north-of-anything]

This is right near O'Connor and Bermondsey.

I really don't like the idea of an internal cul-de-sac. If they're going to redevelop this property, they should be incorporating the property with Bermondsey frontage directly to the south.

Not that I think it should be developed at all; this is the kind of employment land that should be transit-accessible and doesn't need to be pushed out of the inner suburbs...

 

[rdaner]

‘O’Connor is the next The Queensway!’ BlogTO

 

[JBR]

Call me crazy….
But I remember a downtown relief line phase2 study was being done on this corridor before Doug took over.

Now imagine a streetcar from Broadview all the way up to Eglinton along this corridor. That would bring major density along O’Connor, just like this proposal has

 

[Northern Light]

In a word, No.

This is nowhere near higher-order transit, nor any that is contemplated in the next 2 decades. The nearest Crosstown stop, at Victoria Park is ~1.3km away. Bermondsey is actually ~2km away.

The parking ratio here is above 0.5, which is understandable in light of the lack of higher order transit, but does not contribute to quality of life, but instead to congestion.

There is no precedent for this density level at this location. Why would the City want yet another tiny park on O'Connor? Illogical and undesirable.

There's actually a micro park immediately to the east of this site that would be marginally functionally if expanded by this size:

One better option would be to buy Scott Mission's facility at 1550 O'connor should be purchased and add to the adjacent park (even though it is on O'Connor) and its facilities should be accommodated in a below-market lease/ownership in the podium.

Look how sad the current 'park' is:

Topography here is a real challenge as this is where O'Connor markedly climbs.

Alternatively, very popular Topham Park is way over subscribed and would benefit from expansion: ( ~450m from this site)

Overall, density is excessive, site concept is poor, park is unacceptable. Send back for complete re-think.

 

[mferna]

Read our new article featuring this development here: https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2025/1...munity-proposed-oconnor-drive-east-york.59577

 

[dowlingm]

I go to the neighbouring Swiss Chalet regularly because my kid likes it but I doubt I would like to live that close to Peek Freans smell.

 

[Northern Light]

Community Meeting for this one is next week:

New Arch plans were u/l Sept 15th, I don't see any substantive changes but will flag @Paclo just the same.

 

[mikejb]

Looks like Lanterra is also involved with this. That name is buried in the Application check list documnet.