BARRIO (Urban Toronto) – A notable trend in mall redevelopment is taking shape in the Greater Toronto Area, whee the owners of shopping centres seek to redevelop with much greater density, particularly adding residential space. They are found across the GTA — from Cloverdale Mall, to Galleria on the Park, to Pickering City Centre — with many more, and are now being joined by the proposed Jane and Finch Mall Redevelopment. Designed by BDP Quadrangle for Brad-Jay Investments Ltd, the Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment applications for the north end of the Glenfield-Jane Heights neighbourhood.

Located at 1911 Finch Avenue West, at the southeast corner of Jane Street and Finch Avenue West, the Jane Finch Mall is a longstanding retail and community cornerstone since 1968, southwest of York University. Spanning approximately 6.8 hectares, the site currently hosts the one-storey commercial shopping centre. However, recent developments in transit infrastructure, notably the soon to open Finch West Line 6 Light Rail Transit (LRT), have catalyzed an opportunity for comprehensive change. 

The redevelopment would bring about a blend of residential, commercial, and institutional elements across seven blocks. The plan includes ten residential towers and two additional mid-rise buildings, all varying in height to create a diverse skyline. In total, seven buildings would range in height from 8 to 50 storeys, or 37.95m to 165.65m. Seven of the towers would be at least 30 storeys, exceeding 100m in height. The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) would be 196,866m², with 4,703m² dedicated to retail. The plans also include 465m² of indoor community space and a 500m² childcare facility.

The redevelopment plan is structured in two phases. The first phase, set to rise on current parking areas at the northwest corner of the site, lays the groundwork for this ambitious transformation. This phase would introduce the initial 2,730 condominium units across approximately 191,200m² of space. This approach allows for the mall’s continued operation during the redevelopment, with the FreshCo location within the mall being the last retailer to vacate, ensuring the availability of essential services for the community throughout the transition.

For the first phase, the indoor and outdoor amenities would span 1,448m² each. The project proposes a total of 400 parking spaces, with 267 equipped as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) to support sustainable transportation. Additionally, a comprehensive bicycle parking plan is in place, featuring 2,109 long-term and 214 short-term bicycle spaces.

A 1,846m² community plaza and new public parkland totalling 8,448m² are planned, designed to become vibrant gathering spaces for the community. Two neighbourhood parks would be located on the east side of the site, separated by one of the four streets planned as a network of new roads. 

In 2019 the property owners laid the groundwork for redevelopment by launching the jfm+ (Jane Finch Mall Plus) process, a collaborative effort aimed at involving mall tenants and local community members in shaping the site’s future. The applications, alongside a concurrent Site Plan Approval (SPA) application, seek to establish a robust planning framework that aligns with the evolving needs of the Jane and Finch community. 

The redevelopment’s location alongside the upcoming Finch West Line 6 is pivotal in its design and function. This LRT line, spanning 11km with 18 stops and expected to open later this year, is one of the next big steps in Toronto’s transit expansion, enhancing connectivity across the city’s northwest corridor. Two of these stops, at Jane Street and at Driftwood Avenue, are situated adjacent to the site’s northeast and northwest corners. This immediate proximity positions the development within the stops’ Protected Major Transit Station Areas (PMTSAs), so the redevelopment is designed as a transit-oriented community.

The Jane and Finch neighbourhood, historically a diverse community, is evolving, with the mall redevelopment and the Finch West LRT acting as focal points. Northwest of the mall, Yorkgate at 1 York Gate Blvd proposes a 22-story tower, while to the south, developments like 2801 Jane Street at 12 storeys and Yorkwood Condos at 13 storeys are shaping the area’s skyline. The TCHC Firgrove-Grassways Revitalization further complements this growth with seven buildings featuring affordable rentals reaching up to 25 storeys.