The revolution is now for TTC Bus Bay area

Yonge and Eglinton block is about to begin redevelopment

As the only Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue corner not overwhelmed by tall buildings, locals have long wondered what will become of the old TTC Bus Bay area southwest of the intersection. However, with a 17-storey condo and townhouse complex about to break ground, the overhaul is here. 

The complex, called the Berwick, will sit next to the Canada Square building and will include a parkette that eventually will expand onto its northern neighbour, the TTC land. Andrin homes, the developer of the Berwick, this month opened the sale of its 225 condo units to the public.

“The building is very sensitive to the existing neighbourhood,” said Anne Marchildon, Andrin vice-president of sales and marketing, regarding the site which received final approval last June. “It steps back on Yonge Street. It doesn’t have the overshadowing effect on the neighbourhood.”

As for the long-anticipated plans for the TTC bus bays, several things must be accomplished before all of the site can be considered for development. The land is currently being managed by the city-owned real estate agent Build Toronto. However John Macintyre, the senior vice-president of Build Toronto, said that ownership of the land still has to be transferred to them from the TTC.

“We don’t actually have the keys, yet, or the title to the land,” said MacIntyre. “Really at this point it’s more about investigation and waiting for the TTC to get their plans finalized.”

Additionally, Macintyre said Build Toronto will not move forward with development until after the construction of the Eglinton light rail line. He also said there is no guarantee the city will either keep or sell off the land and that it will likely be a year before Build Toronto starts assessing what can be done with the property. 

As for the Berwick, Marchildon said construction will likely begin in spring 2011 and completion is slated for June 2013.

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