Toronto 797 O'Connor Drive | 55.53m | 16s | 2027708 Ontario Ltd | Studio JCI

[Northern Light]

This is the south-east corner of St. Clair and O'Connor.

The proposal is OPA//ZBA, 16s, 219 units

The site as is:

The App:

Application Details

www.toronto.ca

From the above:

Ground Floor Plan:

@Paclo

Elevators: 2 or 1 elevator for every 109.5 units

Comments:

For this area, a very aggressive height ask. There are no nearby precedents until you cross the valley.

I don't have an inherent problem with it, but would expect pushback.

The architecture in both massing and expression is subpar..........this looks more like something I would expect from KirKor that from Studio JCI as of 2 years ago.
I note that time, because I've noticed a real deterioration in their design quality in recent months. This isn't the first disappointment.

Too many material expressions, the podium is a bit understated relative to the higher floors, and the building should better address the intersection/corner for a start.

Also why is the podium expression 2 storeys taller on St. Clair/shorter on O'Connor.........that looks goofy.

Also, the streetscape, as rendered is not acceptable. The trees should be positioned between the sidewalk and the road.

 

[Paclo]

Additional renderings:

Development context including hypothetical massing in pink:

 

[HousingNowTO]

This is the south-east corner of St. Clair and O'Connor.

The proposal is OPA//ZBA, 16s, 219 units

The site as is:

View attachment 657925

The App:

Application Details

www.toronto.ca

From the above:

View attachment 657926

View attachment 657927

View attachment 657928

View attachment 657929

View attachment 657930

Ground Floor Plan:

View attachment 657934


View attachment 657935

View attachment 657936
View attachment 657937

@Paclo

Also why is the podium expression 2 storeys taller on St. Clair/shorter on O'Connor.........that looks goofy.

I expect the rationalization is because of the different building heights of the adjacent buildings on each side, etc.

 

[jmi22]

Pure zoning exercise, nobody will sell a condo on such a beautiful urban corridor as O'Connor for yearsssss

 

[Northern Light]

Pure zoning exercise, nobody will sell a condo on such a beautiful urban corridor as O'Connor for yearsssss

Condos have already been sold on O'Connor just up the street from here.

And Markee has assembled on the opposite corner here......

Also, the streetscape has been improved a bit here.........not as much as I would have liked......

But still, this is from last fall (not my pics) almost finished.

Photo source:

https://www.reddit.com/r/torontobiking/comments/1g0o49q/oconnor_st_clair_streetscape_improvements_oct_2024

 

[jmi22]

Condos have already been sold on O'Connor just up the street from here.

"will sell', future tense. Market will need to be red hot again, and units in the desirable part of the city unattainable before ppl settle for a 600sf/2 bed in one of the most troubled inner belt suburbs.

Streetscape improvements are interesting but ultimately doesn't do much to make the sea of pavement more inviting

 

[Northern Light]

"will sell', future tense. Market will need to be red hot again, and units in the desirable part of the city unattainable before ppl settle for a 600sf/2 bed in one of the most troubled inner belt suburbs.

Streetscape improvements are interesting but ultimately doesn't do much to make the sea of pavement more inviting

This can come forward as rental, potentially. We'll see. Depends on the land cost here it terms of what rent can be delivered.

 

[jmi22]

This can come forward as rental, potentially. We'll see. Depends on the land cost here it terms of what rent can be delivered.

Ya, I honestly thought it was a rental at first glance of the render due to the architecture.

I suppose this area will actually be quite connected following the OL opening and a rerouting of the O'connor bus to stop at Cosburn Stn. Would guess a 35/45min commute to dt?

 

[rdaner]

And the next iteration of this will be much higher as are the other new builds going up along ravines.

 

[Northern Light]

Ya, I honestly thought it was a rental at first glance of the render due to the architecture.

I suppose this area will actually be quite connected following the OL opening and a rerouting of the O'connor bus to stop at Cosburn Stn. Would guess a 35/45min commute to dt?

I just used the trip planner, and from this corner, St. Clair/O'Connor to Bloor-Yonge Stn (using Broadview 8) shows 32m, 43m to Queen Stn.

 

[AlbertC]

Virtual community consultation meeting coming up for this. Register thru link on the website:

793-797 O'Connor Drive

The application proposes to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit a 16-storey mixed-use building with 219 residential dwelling units, 209m2 of non-residential GFA for ground floor commercial use, and 54 vehicular and 241 bike parking spaces.

haveyoursay.toronto.ca

793-797 O'Connor Drive​

The application proposes to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit a 16-storey mixed-use building with 219 residential dwelling units, 209m2 of non-residential GFA for ground floor commercial use, and 54 vehicular and 241 bike parking spaces.

Application Information Centre:
Application Details - File Number: 25 179633 STE 19 OZ

Contact:
Raymond Tung - Raymond.Tung@toronto.ca

Date and Time​

Mar 16, 2026, 6:30 p.m. - Mar 16, 2026, 8:00 p.m.