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A new pair of development applications in Downtown Oshawa joins a number of others designed by A& Architects for Atria Development. Dubbed Centra, these two proposals across Charles Street from each other signal significant density coming to this eastern Greater Toronto Area city as it anticipates expanded GO train service. Atria’s Centra submissions are Site A, located at 111-117 King Street East, with three towers of 31, 33, and 37 storeys, and Site B, at 29 Charles Street, with a 25-storey tower. Both applications feature retail, office, and residential components.
The two sites were previously separate proposals that have now considered two phases of the same redevelopment. Site A is L-shaped and spans 0.86 hectares, while Site B covers 0.19 hectares.
Currently, both sites feature signficant surface parkingm while Site A is also home to medical offices, including the Oshawa Clinic, a heritage building that opened in 1949 and which is planned to be partially retained in the redevelopment. Site B is primarily occupied by low-rise buildings along with the surface parking. The Downtown Oshawa surroundings feature a mix of residential, commercial, and institutional uses, with an Ontario Tech University campus to the south and other mixed-use buildings to the west and east.
In 2023, a previous proposal envisioned a 16-storey tower alongside three 22-storey towers. Now, A. J. Clarke and Associates has submitted separate Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for each site to the City of Oshawa on behalf of the developer.
Site A at 111-117 King Street East would feature three residential towers rising to 101m, 107.2m, and 119.6m, containing 1,308 residential units and a total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 82,336m², with a residential GFA of 80,962m². The three-storey podium would include 537m² of retail space and 836m² of medical office space. Residents would have access to a minimum of 606m² of rooftop amenities and 402m² of indoor amenity area. Each tower would have four elevators, creating a ratio of one elevator per 109 units.
The heritage Oshawa Clinic at the northwest corner would be partially retained, with the original 1949 structure integrated into the podium as part of the lobby, with the 1966 addition to be demolished. The plans include three levels of underground garage, along with four levels of parking in the podium levels. There would be 831 vehicular parking spaces allocated for residents, visitors, and medical office use. Bicycle parking provisions total 1,493 spaces.
Site B at 29 Charles Street would rise to a height of 93.31m with 408 residential units. The design includes a three-storey podium, which would feature 157m² of retail space at grade and 3,178m² of office space on the second and third floors. The total GFA is planned at 23,382m², with 20,058m² allocated for residential use. Residents would have access to 325m² of outdoor amenities. Four elevators are planned, resulting in a ratio of one elevator per 102 units. Three levels of underground parking would provide 103 vehicular parking spaces and 330 bicycle parking spaces.
The sites are served by two bus routes, which provide direct access to the Oshawa Centre Bus Terminal and operate within the Pulse Network. Regional transit options include GO Transit and VIA Rail, with nearby connections at Oshawa station the city's southwest. A closer, more central Oshawa GO station is under construction.
There are other projects and proposals int he area. Northwest of the sites, Genosha Phase 2 calls for 22 storeys. To the west, 39 Athol Street West proposes 15 storeys and 88 King Street West is planned at 22 storeys, while 135 Bruce Street calls for 10 and 22 storeys to the south. Proposals also designed by A& Architects for Atria Development include PostLofts at 12 storeys to the west and to the north, 45 Division Street at 11 storeys, NEO at 12 storeys, and the dual Beyond towers at 18 storeys each.
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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| Related Companies: | A& Architects, Crozier Consulting Engineers, Ferris + Associates Inc. |
