The corner of Sheppard Ave W and Keele will soon see more commercial spaces and affordable residential housing options. Recently, the Canada Lands Company (CLC) received approval on its draft plan for Phase 1 of the Arbo project, as part of the massive Downsview Lands development. With this approval, the CLC is one step closer to receiving all necessary municipal approvals, so it could sell or lease the development lands to builders who can bring this project to life.
Arbo will be a multi-block, 1,400-unit mixed-use community consisting of commercial, retail, and seniors’ amenities at Sheppard W and Keele, including a minimum of 20% affordable housing units.
Almost 20 acres of land is being provided by the CLC to the City of Toronto for the woodlot and new City parks. A new east–west street will also be created (connecting Keele and Sheppard Ave W) to serve the three Phase 1 blocks of the development — Block 1 (3.7 acres), Block 3A (2.7 acres), and Block 3B (2.2 acres). Each block will be developed for housing at the Keele/Sheppard intersection, but Block 3B will be listed on the market as part of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s federal land initiative, so affordable housing will likely be available on this block.
Commuter-wise, the development is in an attractive location as it lies between Downsview Park to the south and Downsview Park TTC/GO Station to the north. The site is located approximately 13 kilometres from downtown Toronto and is also close to Highway 401 and the 400-series highways.
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Amenities will include 450 m of public street that Canada Lands will be building, which will include much-needed bike paths and green infrastructure. The 11.9-acre natural heritage woodlot will be transferred to the City to be preserved due to its ecological and heritage value. The area’s new residents will also enjoy an ecological park spanning 9.3 acres, filled with natural landscape area that surrounds the woodlot, as well as a 1.2-acre neighbourhood park.
“Upon approval of the Draft Plan of Subdivision for Phase 1, Canada Lands will begin working through the Conditions of the Draft Plan of Subdivision approval, including detailed engineering design of the public elements starting in 2025,” the CLC stated in a news release on Wednesday. “This will conclude with Subdivision Registration, which will finalize the blocks created by the Draft Plan approval and allow for transfer of ownership to the City and future builder partners.”
The Downsview Lands, spanning 644 acres, was previously home to a Canadian Forces base, the Downsview Airport, and an airport manufacturer. The larger Downsview Lands area, which includes the 291-acre Downsview Park, the Toronto Wildlife Centre, the Downsview Park Film and Television Studios, and the Downsview Park Arts Alliance, is being developed to facilitate new housing, jobs, parks, open spaces, and community services.
