Virtual community meeting on proposal for 56-storey building at 6 Dawes Rd. slated for March 31
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
After years of planning and negotiation, Fitzrovia Inc. and Ontario Holdings Ltd. have submitted another zoning bylaw amendment application to update their plans for the construction of what is now proposed to be a 56-storey residential building at the East Block of 6 Dawes Rd.
“On behalf of 6 Dawes Fitzrovia Inc. and Ontario Holdings Ltd., I am pleased to submit this Zoning By-Law Amendment Application for the East Block at 6 Dawes Road,” said Gregory Gilbert, Vice President of Planning at Fitzrovia Inc. in the application cover letter.
“We are proposing a right-sizing of the built form from the approved 17-storey slab building to be proportionately consistent with the planned surrounding tower context.”
That “proportional” consistency sees the proposal now calling for a 56-storey building, joining a number of other large residential towers planned for the area between Dawes Road and Main Street (south of Danforth Avenue and north of the railway tracks).
In light of the updated development application, there will be a virtual community consultation meeting for members of the public to view information panels, provide comments, ask questions, and speak with the project team regarding this proposal.
The online meeting will take place on Monday, March 31, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Submitted and approved back in 2019, the current zoning for the East Block permits the development of a 58.2-metre, 17-storey tower on a six-storey podium with a 936-square metre tower floorplate, and a maximum residential gross floor area of 25,612 square metres.
Construction of the West Block of the land just east of Main Street and directly north of the Danforth GO station platform is already well underway.
Also owned by Fitzrovia Inc. and Ontario Holdings Ltd., the 6 Dawes West Block will see three-tower residential buildings with 923 purpose-built rental homes that are expected to be completed by late next year.
According to Gilbert, Dawes Road’s West Block development is the largest single building rental housing project now under construction in Canada.
The companies are now seeking to readjust the East Block residential tower into an “elegant” 56-storey structure with an 854 square metre tower floorplate and 11-storey podium comprised of approximately 533 dwellings. The updated project will also include four levels of above-grade parking with 65 parking spaces, six visitor parking spaces, and 587 bike parking spaces.
The new proposal will also include other major features like a signature podium rooftop pool, a two-level sky-gym concept, a rooftop amenity deck, a cafe and lounge fronting the northwest corner of the site, and a signature pet spa for resident use.
As part of the overarching development plan at 6 Dawes Rd., Fitzrovia Inc. said it will provide outsized community benefits through a registered Section 37 agreement, which includes a $7 million contribution to be allocated toward a new community recreation centre in the area, a $66,667 cash contribution to be allocated toward funding a transportation study at key intersections within the geographic area, a $100,000 cash contribution for bike share, six affordable rental dwelling units, and an extension of Dawes Road for future conveyance.
Residents wishing to take part in the March 31 virtual meeting can do so by going online to https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/get-involved/public-consultations/city-planning-consultations/ and clicking on the Register link for the 6 Dawes Rd. meeting.
