Judy Lamelza
Special to Ontario Construction News
Another aging Toronto retail plaza is slated for a dramatic transformation as developer Figtree Holdings Limited moves forward with a high-density redevelopment proposal at the southeast corner of Kipling Avenue and The Queensway in Etobicoke.
In collaboration with architectural firm Studio JCI, Figtree Holdings has proposed a mixed-use master plan featuring:
13 residential towers ranging in height from 12 to 65 storeys
7,360 residential condominium units
Retail and community amenities at the ground level
More than one hectare of public parkland
A potential site for a future Catholic elementary school
Spanning close to 7.5 hectares, the development will replace existing surface parking lots and aging retail structures, injecting new life into a largely underutilized urban block. Taller towers will anchor the Kipling Avenue frontage, while mid-rise forms along The Queensway will blend with the area’s existing character.
Located in Toronto’s Inclusionary Zoning Market Area 3, the site must comply with affordable housing requirements. Options include:
7% of total residential floor area dedicated to affordable ownership units, or
5% designated as affordable rental housing
BlogTo reports that these provisions aim to ensure that the community supports a broad demographic, including first-time homeowners and long-term renters.
Transportation planning is a key element of the project. Proposals call for:
Approximately 4,200 parking spaces, with 3,700 dedicated to residents
Over 5,500 bicycle parking spots, encouraging active transportation
Proximity to the Gardiner Expressway and local TTC routes supports the site’s role in Toronto’s evolving mobility landscape. Still, city officials will need to manage traffic volumes and congestion through future planning approvals.
Beyond housing, the proposal includes community-oriented components designed to foster livability:
Over one hectare of green space dedicated to the city as public parkland
Ground-level retail units to encourage pedestrian activity
Provisions for a new elementary school to serve local families
While visual renderings have not yet been released, diagrams and applications submitted to the City provide a clear picture of the developer’s ambitious plans. With input from planners, residents, and community stakeholders still to come, this project represents a critical juncture in Etobicoke’s transition from suburban plaza landscapes to compact, mixed-use neighbourhoods.
If approved, the Kipling and Queensway development will become a cornerstone of modern urban living in Toronto, showcasing how thoughtful design, density, and community investment can come together to meet the city’
s growing housing needs.
