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A major redevelopment proposal has been revised for the site of the Cineplex Cinemas’ largest location at The Queensway and Islington Avenue in South Etobicoke. Designed by WZMH Architects for landowner Talisker Corporation, the resubmission tweaks density and heights while maintaining the general vision for the redevelopment with commercial and institutional spaces anchored around a central park.
The 5.89-hectare site at 1025 The Queensway is bordered by Dorchester Avenue to the west and the Gardiner Expressway to the south. The cinema complex, with its 1,277-space surface parking lot, has been a local entertainment destination since 2001. The adjacent area is a mix of commercial and industrial uses with retail spaces and restaurants lining The Queensway, but which has begun transitioning through the addition of residential towers to the mix over the last decade or so.
The initial June, 2024 application called for ten mixed-use buildings rising between 18 and 46 storeys, and two 7-storey employment buildings. The plan also proposed a 4,347m² central park, three new public roads, and a mix of residential, retail, and employment uses.
Following feedback from City staff, a revised submission was filed in December, 2024 by Bousfields for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision applications to the City of Toronto on behalf of the landowner. The revised proposal maintains 12 buildings across the site, including 10 mixed-use residential towers, still ranging from 18 to 46 storeys with heights between 34.45m and 149.6m, and two 7-storey employment buildings. Six towers, previously ranging from 31 to 43 storeys, have been reduced in height, now from 28 to 41 storeys. A previous continuous L-shaped podium has been replaced with three separate podiums.
A total Gross Floor Area of 327,402m² — down from 346,247m² — includes 281,066m² of residential space (reduced from 304,329m²), and 20,410m² of employment space (reduced from 21,963m²). Retail and daycare space has increased to 2,893m² from 2,500m². The overall Floor Space Index has been reduced to 5.69 times lot coverage, down from 6.0. The site’s central parkland dedication remains at 4,286m², though the revised layout introduces new connections and pedestrian pathways.
The total residential unit count has decreased from 4,222 to 4,077, while each residential tower would still be served by four elevators, achieving a ratio of approximately one elevator per 102 units, compared to the previous ratio of one per 106 units. There would be 8,218m² of indoor and 8,040m² of outdoor amenity space, both reduced from the previous 8,680m² and 9,048m², respectively. A new 862m² community space has been introduced in the northeast building fronting Islington Avenue.
The site’s phasing plan divides construction into three stages. Phase 1 would deliver the four buildings at the northeast corner, with the Cineplex Cinemas remaining operational during this phase. Phase 2 includes the northwest and south-end buildings, and the removal of the theatre. Phase 3 would complete the site with the remaining buildings and final southern park space.
A total of 2,124 motor vehicle parking spaces, down from 2,246, would include 2,031 spaces for residents and 93 for retail use. Bicycle parking entails 2,842 long-term and 310 short-term spots, down from the previous total of 3,320. Parking would be distributed across two underground levels and three podium-integrated above-grade parking levels.
Surface transit routes on Islington Avenue and The Queensway connect to Bloor Line 2. Regional transit is accessible at Kipling station, approximately 2.3km northwest, which offers TTC, GO Transit, and MiWay connections, while Mimico GO station is located 1.5km southeast. The site does not fall within a Major Transit Station Area.
The Queensway corridor is experiencing notable growth. Immediately adjacent to the north, the under-construction Verge Condominiums feature four towers rising between 8 and 17 storeys. To the east, projects such as the 8-storey Kazmir Condos, 10-storey BLVD Q, and 11-storey 859 The Queensway are under construction, while Maxium Condos is proposed at 12 storeys. To the west, Joya Condos is proposed at 12 storeys, and the 9-storey 1156 The Queensway is under construction. Larger proposals to the west include 2 St Lawrence with three towers reaching up to 20 storeys, 10 Zorra at 28 storeys, and IQ Condos Phase 3 with three towers from 18 to 42 storeys. Nearby, the 40-60 St Lawrence proposal includes three towers ranging from 26 to 43 storeys.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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