As land values rise, landowners of shopping malls across Toronto are looking for ways to use the often underdeveloped land to its highest potential. At the Dufferin Mall, Primaris Management Inc., a subsidiary of H&R REIT, is looking to capitalize on the Mall's location within 200 metres of Dufferin Subway Station, by redeveloping the north end of the mall property, currently home to a couple single-storey big box shops and drive-through fast food outlets.

Looking north-west to the east block at Dufferin Grove Village, image courtesy of Primaris Management Inc.

Last week, the developer submitted Official Plan Amendment and Rezoning applications to the City. Our Lady Queen of Croatia Church, in a pocket on the north side of the property fronting Croatia Street, will remain untouched. Across Croatia Street, Capital Developments and Metropia are similarly looking to redevelop a 7.3-acre Toronto District School Board property for a 7-tower residential, office, and retail community at Bloor & Dufferin.

Site plan at Dufferin Grove Village, image courtesy of Primaris Management Inc.

The Primaris development, dubbed Dufferin Grove Village and designed by Quadrangle and Urban Strategies, would be bisected by a new landscaped private road that runs in an L-shape between Croatia and Dufferin streets. Increasing connectivity throughout the neighbourhood, the street would link to the Russett Avenue extension through the development proposed to the north, extending the planned retail-oriented street from Bloor Street down to Dufferin Grove Park. A 0.15-hectare park dubbed 'Dufferin Commons' would be located at the southeast corner of the redevelopment site, just north of the new intersection where the private road meets Dufferin Street.

Future street intersecting the development, image courtesy of Primaris Management Inc.

The master plan places two groups of buildings on either side of the new road. The two podium blocks are designed to stand in contrast to one another, for the effect of a varied streetscape. Wavy balconies traverse the tower elevations above, articulating the 35 and 39-storey buildings. With towers rising 119.1 and 131.4 metres, the western block emphasizes the use of rust coloured brick, fitting in with the historic buildings in the neighbourhood. Here, the podium is connected to Dufferin Mall itself, extending the mall with an additional 76,075 ft² of retail.

Looking south-west across Croatia Street to the western block at Dufferin Grove Village, image courtesy of Primaris Management

The eastern building, which runs along the Dufferin Street frontage, (see the first image in this article), features an 8-storey podium with tower volumes reaching 14 and 23-storeys up top. Clad in white and yellow brick, the podium opens up to the Dufferin Commons park with amphitheater-style seating, extending the public realm further to the architecture itself. The base of the 56.4 and 82.7-metre towers houses 19,536 ft² of leasable retail space.

Designed by landscape architecture firm North Design Office, Dufferin Commons is inspired by the Dennison Creek that used to traverse the site but has long since been buried. The geology is recreated with concrete wave formations that follow the path of the stream. The park utilizes recycled materials from the site's demolition, offering a sustainable approach to landscape design.

Dufferin Commons park and amphitheatre podium seating, image courtesy of Primaris Management Inc.

In all, the towers would introduce 1,135 residential units to the property in a mix of 117 Bachelor, 452 one-bedroom, 461 two-bedroom and 105 three-bedroom units. Amenities would be specifically programmed to benefit children, pets, and seniors looking to age in place. The plan relocates 309 existing surface parking spaces, adding 98 new spaces for increased retail area, and 329 spaces for the new residential suites, all in a 736-space underground garage. 1,198 bicycle parking spaces are proposed to be built, with 1,022 for residents, and the remainder for visitors to the site.

Additional information and images can be found in our database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment in the field provided at the bottom of this page.

* * *

UrbanToronto has a new way you can track projects through the planning process on a daily basis. Sign up for a free trial of our New Development Insider here.