Location: 1746 Weston Road, Toronto
Developer: A1 Development
Architect: DIALOG
In northwest Toronto, the Weston GO Transit and UP Express station has been the focus for new and upcoming high-rise projects in the area.
Options for Homes is selling units at The Humber just south of the station, while a proposal put forward in November 2021 wants to create a two-tower, mixed-use project with a revitalized church component nearby. A recently-submitted application could deliver another tower to Toronto’s growing Weston neighbourhood.
This month, a zoning by-law amendment application was submitted to city planners to build a 25-storey tower with 253 units at 1736-1746 Weston Road.
The development site is a corner lot spanning roughly 1,849 square metres near Weston Road and Wilby Crescent just south of Lawrence Avenue West. The site, which comprises two lots located at 1736 and 1746 Weston Road, is about 60 metres from the platforms at Weston GO Transit Station. One- and two-storey commercial buildings currently exist on the land.
As part of the proposed development, the two commercial buildings would be demolished and replaced with the 25-storey mixed-use high-rise. Dubbed the “Hickory Tree Tower,” the high-rise would bring a “highly innovative design,” to the Weston neighbourhood according to A1 Development.
“Located at the intersection of Weston Road and Lawrence Avenue West, the future Hickory Tree Tower will be the ideal combination of urban and suburban living, with close site proximity to Raymore Park and Humber River, as well as all major transit lines,” said an update posted by the developer on its company website on February 14th.
The tower would be supported by a seven-storey podium, which transitions to a two-storey podium along the southern property line. To distinguish the podium from the building’s tower element, different materials would be used according to the application’s planning rationale. A series of architectural setbacks and components would give the high-rise its terraced appearance. DIALOG, the architectural firm that designed the development, is also known for its work on the 73-storey tower proposed in downtown Toronto near Gerrard and Yonge streets.
Of the 253 units proposed for the high-rise, the breakdown would consist of five studios, 135 one-bedroom, 85 two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom units.
Approximately 472 square metres of retail space would be incorporated on the building’s ground floor between two separate commercial units accessible from Weston Road. The proposal also entails the expansion of the sidewalk zone along Wilby Crescent with new trees and decorative pavers, providing a “beautified gateway to the Humber River Recreation Trail.” Access to the tower’s residential lobby would be provided from Wilby Crescent.
In the west corner of the building, an indoor amenity space would be constructed, accessible from the building’s lobby. Additional indoor amenities would be included on the third and 14th floors with connecting outdoor spaces.
An internal loading area at the south end of the property would provide access to the underground parking garage, where 88 parking spaces are proposed across four levels. A total of 190 bicycle spaces for long- and short-term use are also proposed for the project.
In the neighbourhood, sales are ongoing for Riverside Residences and registration is open for Empire Maverick Condos.
