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Galleria on the Park breaks ground

In early August, a socially-distanced groundbreaking ceremony took place for Galleria on the Park—the mixed-use community that will rise on a 20-acre site at Dufferin and Dupont streets in Toronto’s west end. The plan includes eight mixed-use buildings, 300,000 square feet of retail and the new 95,000 square-foot Wallace Emerson Community Centre.

Representatives from ELAD Canada joined Councillor Ana Bailao and staff from the City’s affordable housing division, as well as project team members from CORE Architects, PSR Brokerage and Clark Construction Management, to commemorate the occasion on-site.

“We are extremely proud to deliver such a significant project to the City of Toronto,” said Rafael Lazer, CEO of ELAD Canada. “We have always deeply believed in the West End – its rich industrial past, its strong sense of community, and its vibrant arts and culture scene.”

As part of the first phase of the development, Galleria on the Park will include mixed-use towers Galleria 01 and 02, 150 affordable rental units, retail, the community centre and Phase 1 of the expanded eight-acre park. Galleria 01 and 02 are now more than 95 per cent sold of released units.

The towers—a CORE Architects’ design—are clad with dark and rich metals, paying homage to the industrial character of the neighbourhood. The amenities and suites, by design firm U31, feature modern interiors that take cues from the neighbourhood. Family-friendly amenities include an expansive co-working space that doubles as an event space opening out to a wrap-around outdoor terrace, an outdoor pool and a state-ofthe-art fitness centre.

Newmarket welcomes new purpose-built rental development

The federal government announced it is financing $79 million to help construct 216 residential units located at 195 Deerfield Road in Newmarket.

This project by The Rose Corporation is receiving financing through the Rental Construction Financing initiative (RCFi), a National Housing Strategy program delivered through CMHC. The program encourages the construction of a stable supply of rental housing for middle-class families in expensive housing markets and those families working hard to join them.

“Current events remind us that nothing is more important than a home. Canada’s middle-class and those working hard to join them will benefit from the construction of new rental housing,” said the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the Minister responsible for CMHC. “Through new investments, we are taking action to increase the supply of new rental developments, providing housing options that are closer to jobs, services and amenities families need.”

With 195 Deerfield, The Rose Corporation will be building on the success it delivered with 212 Davis Apartments, the first new privately funded purpose-built rental apartment tower Newmarket has welcomed

since the mid-1980s. Part of the company’s mission is to provide diverse and attainable housing options.

“As city builders, we have a corporate social responsibility to help create more attainable rental and ownership housing alternatives within the communities in which we build,” said Daniel Berholz, President, The Rose Corporation. “We firmly believe that a healthy community is an essential tool in building a thriving corridor. By embracing public-private partnerships, The Rose Corporation’s collaboration with all levels of government – York Region, the Town of Newmarket and the federal government (CMHC) has allowed us to successfully help fill a desperate need for more affordable housing options in Newmarket.”

The new development involves the construction of a 15-storey building with 216 residential units, ranging from 1-bedroom units to 3-bedroom ground-oriented and tower units. This will be the initial phase of a 4.4-acre master-planned community consisting of three towers rising above a landscaped courtyard.

Construction commenced in March 2020, and substantial completion is expected in early 2023. Amenity spaces will include a communal 20,000 square foot park with a playground, a kids’ zone, fitness centre and yoga studio. The development has easy access to the VIVA bus rapid transit, bicycle parking for all residents and direct access to biking and walking trails

Designed to meet LEED Silver requirements, the building has also invested significantly into electric vehicle charging stations. At least 30 units will meet the municipal accessibility requirements, and will include units with universal and adaptable design.

About 20 per cent of Newmarket residents rely on the rental market for housing. This development represents a new supply of purpose-built rental housing in Newmarket, where the vacancy rate was 2.0 per cent as of Oct. 2019, a decrease from 2.4 per cent in Oct. 2018.