A proposal surfaced last month, which would see a condo higher than the Minto Tower built at the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue. Developer Bazis International introduced the news at a meeting attended by Coun. Josh Matlow and representatives from the Sherwood Park Residents’ Association.
“We met with them pre-application, so there’s a lot of room to negotiate before the formal process begins,” said Matlow.
Bazis has bought up several properties at the corner anchored by the TD Canada Trust bank. Matlow said the proposed height of the tower is approximately 160 metres — three storeys higher than the controversial 54-storey Minto development (just south of Eglinton Avenue).
According to Matlow, preliminary discussions have been focused more on Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue as a whole, rather than solely on the proposed building. “When we discuss one development, we have to consider how the junction works,” he said. A primary concern is establishing an open public space at the intersection, Matlow said, especially since the public square at the northwest corner will be lost as part of the RioCan redevelopment. It is also important to study how the underground LRT and subway stations will be integrated and what retail space at street level should look like.
Matlow has vowed to include local representatives in all discussions. Terry Mills, from the Sherwood Park Residents’ Association, was one local who attended the initial meeting. “We’re involved in the process from the get-go, rather than being introduced to it after all the drawings are done,” said Mills, who supports Matlow’s approach.
According to Mills, all parties were receptive during the meeting — though finding a happy medium is going to be a long process. Matlow agreed: “We, as a community, have an opportunity to consider what boundaries we need to set.”
Michael Gold, North American president of Bazis, declined comment.
