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In contrast to the towering, high-density packed developments typically covered on UrbanToronto, 140 The Queensway is a community-focused solution on a small plot of land. Its recent Site Plan Approval resubmission is technical in nature, with this six-storey building, designed by Montgomery Sisam Architects for Houselink and Mainstay Community Housing, targeting the need for affordable and supportive housing for low-income seniors. Supported by funding from the City of Toronto’s Open Door Affordable Housing Program and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the development is one of 19 affordable housing projects included in the Open Door program, which aims to supply 856 affordable rental homes.
Currently hosting a vacant low-rise residential home in South Etobicoke's Queensway – Humber Bay neighbourhood, the site is across from a suburban plaza and vast green spaces, with the Humber River to the east and the Lake Ontario waterfront to the south. The location is just 200m west of the Humber Loop, the western terminus of the 501 Queen streetcar, and is a three-minute drive from the Gardiner Expressway.
The initial application, submitted in February, 2023, was followed by the granting of Minor Variances in April, 2023 and a Notice of Approval Conditions in September, 2023. After addressing comments received in May, 2024, the developers proceeded with a second submission of the Site Plan. Demolition and building permits have been applied for this month.
The design encompasses a six-storey building with a height of 23.17m, set to accommodate 38 one-bedroom units, many of which will be accessible and barrier-free. Plans call for a green roof on the north end of the sixth floor, with the development targetted to meet or exceed the criteria for Toronto’s Green Standard Version 4, Tier 1.
Internally, the 103m² of indoor amenities are to include a fireside lounge and multi-purpose rooms. Outdoor amenities, spanning 101m², call for accessible green spaces including a protected rain garden and a courtyard. The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) is set at 2,052m², with a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 3.02.
The design provides two elevators for its 38 units. It accommodates vehicular needs with three parking spaces, along with eight long-term and three short-term bicycle parking spaces, with the application noting residents' extensive use of TTC’s Wheel-Trans service.
Houselink and Mainstay Community Housing is the city’s largest non-profit supportive housing agency, managing over 58 residential properties and more than 1,050 units. With this development, special attention is given to the comfort and social needs of seniors, particularly those with mental health conditions and physical disabilities.
Other development in the area immediate area also tends to be modest such as an addition to a place of worship at 247 Park Lawn Road, and a four-storey residential building proposed at 598 The Queensway. To the south however, much more major development is coming, dependent upon the construction of Park Lawn GO station in the next couple of years, with the 2150 Lake Shore proposal of 29 buildings — with towers as high 66 storeys, including the 44- and 66-storey proposal at Station Square + Park Lawn Gardens. Other nearby proposals include the 13-storey 2157 Lake Shore Boulevard West, 8- and 49-storey towers at 2173 Lake Shore Boulevard West, and the Water's Edge at the Cove,now topped off at 56 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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