Developers have submitted a site plan approval application to build a 29-storey mixed-use building with 294 residential units at 140 Merton Street, in Toronto’s Davisville Village area.
The project is led by CreateTO and is the first non-profit developed Housing Now site led by an Indigenous organization (Housing Now uses City-owned land to develop affordable housing). The Indigenous organization, the Missanabie Cree First Nation, will be developing the site, which will provide housing options for Indigenous elders and other seniors.
The initial proposal (submitted in November 2020) was for an 18-storey development, but this was revised to a 28-storey tower in 2023 and most recently to 29 stories.
The site — surrounded by Yonge St to the west and Mount Pleasant Rd to the east — is currently occupied by a heritage-designated office building and a paved parking lot, but a portion of the heritage-designated structure will be retained and incorporated into the new development.
The new development will have 20,330 square meters of residential gross floor area (an increase from the previous proposal of 19,987 square meters) and a total gross floor area of 21,948 square meters.
Residents can expect 244 one-bedroom units and 50 two-bedroom units.
According to the application, about 33 per cent of the 294 units will be affordable — rents for the affordable homes will average 77 per cent of the average market rent (AMR), with 15 per cent of these homes set aside as deeply affordable (40 per cent AMR). The building will also include a ceremonial space, a smudging room, and indoor and outdoor amenities for residents.
The building will have 570 square meters of indoor amenities (increased from 492 square meters) and 126 square meters of outdoor amenities. There will be three elevators for residential floors, with an additional elevator extending to the third floor (primarily to reach communal areas).
Drivers should have ample parking spaces with a two-level underground garage —15 spots will be for residents, 16 for visitors, and 15 for the community. For bikes, there will be 317 long-term spaces and 35 short-term spaces.
It’s a prime location for seniors — Davisville Station is less than a 10-minute walk, and there are plenty of drug stores, parks, grocers, and pharmacies nearby.
