Artist’s rendering of “Haven on the Bluffs”, the new condo development in Cliffside
Sales get underway in two weeks on a proposed ten-storey condominium project close to the Scarborough Bluffs that marks a step forward in the long-standing effort to revitalize Kingston Road in Cliffside.
The condo project called “Haven on the Bluffs” is being constructed by VHL Developments on the block that used to be occupied by Andrews Motel, the Hasty Market and Beer Store.
General Counsel for VHL Developments, Marc Freedman, says when they heard the land was available, they were attracted to the project because of the beauty of the Bluffs and the nice residential pockets that surround the Kingston Road strip.
Site of the new condo development in Cliffside
“We thought that we would take what is not a particularly attractive part of the strip along Kingston Road and, through our development, transform and incorporate it into the attractive residential area of the Bluffs,” says Freedman.
Artist’s rendering of the view from Lake Ontario
250 units – one, two and three bedrooms
The 250-unit building will consist of two ten-storey towers connected by a four-storey podium and will scale back on the south side facing the Bluffs in a tiered fashion, as per zoning requirements and municipal design criteria. There will also be a shared outdoor terrace on the roof of the podium.
Although located on Kingston Road, the primary entrance to the condo will be on East Haven Drive, one block to the south. VHL developments will be required by the City to build a road that connects the two streets.
Design review conducted by City
Freedman says the project was submitted to the City of Toronto’s Design Review Panel to ensure the develoment is architecturally pleasing and interesting as well as compatible with the neighbourhood.
Shared outdoor terrace
“Because of the unique design of the building we have a lot of different styles of units, because it’s not a cookie cutter building with cookie cutter floors,” says Freedman. “A lot of the units have terraces. Some that don’t have terraces have balconies. And many of the units after a certain height will have views of the lake.”
Retail space will be built at street level and could include places that people can gather such as cafes, which Freedman says will “bring a little life to the area”.
Revitalization long overdue
There is hope that “Haven On the Bluffs” will kickstart efforts to revitalize Kingston Road between Danforth Avenue and Chine Drive that have been underway for many years. Although surrounded by lovely housing, many feel the character of the strip brings the neighbourhood down.
This is partially due to the fact that before the 401 was built, Kingston Road was the primary highway to points east of Toronto and has been burdened by legacy uses such as gas stations and motels that were too often accompanied by low-end retail.
Kingston Road in Cliffside
Study and community consultation
Revitalization efforts included a study by the City of Toronto that was completed in 2009 that involved extensive consultation with Cliffside residents, businesses and community groups.
The condo project is the first noticeable sign that change is actually afoot.
Although the flurry of condo construction in Toronto is not welcomed by everyone, Ray Chan, Special Assistant to Ward 36 Councillor Gary Crawford, says they’ve heard no opposition to the ”Haven on the Bluffs” project.
“This is a welcome addition to the community and all the residents who contacted our office have been positive and welcome this proposed development to the community,” says Chan.
About VHL Developments
Other projects in Scarborough by VHL Developments include two 16-storey residential condos on Markham Road, south of Sheppard Avenue. The company is also building three towers at the corner of Lawrence Avenue and Birchmount Road.
VHL Developments is in the process of building a sales office inside the old Hasty Market and billboards are expected to go up next week. The company still requires all necessary governmental approvals for the project but sales get underway on November 3rd.
“The company still requires all necessary governmental approvals for the project but sales get underway on November 3rd.”
Sales will commence without government approvals? I live blocks from the proposed development and have not been informed of any neighbourhood consultation meetings. The statement from Councillor Crawford’s office that no one has objected may be due to the fact that few residents have received any information about it. It’s hard to see how anyone can make the argument that a 250-unit building with two 10-story towers is “compatible with the neighbourhood.”
I have to disagree with Minna regarding the ‘compatibility’ factor. The condo towers will be a huge improvement for the neighbourhood and will help to revitalize the area. The rendering shows a modern non-cookie cutter design which will certainly be pleasing to the eye on an otherwise drab stretch of miss-matched buildings and strip malls. Hopefully more services will follow with new development! Further, area schools with declining populations will benefit from the increased population in the complex.
I completely agree with Minna. The area definitely needs revitalization, but not with what will ultimately become a strip of tall condos. The most highly valued areas in the city (the Beach, Riverdale, Leslieville, High Park, Bayview, Danforth etc.) are built around thriving, dynamic villages or “high streets” that promote retail investment, walking, cycling and community interaction, not rows of condos. Once these condos go up, it will irrevocably change the village feel of Cliffside Village.
Not to mention the typical disregard for the infrastructure required to support all these added condo residents with cars, atop a fragile and unspoiled natural landscape. I contacted Gary Crawford about this project and VHL does not yet have permits to build. There will supposedly be community consultation and a planning review.
This is amazing. I live in the area and I think this will bring up the value just like Henley Gardens did at Victoria Park and Kingston Rd. Right now the area is a dive.
This stretch could be a gold mine for developers. The template is there and the proximity to Downtown is amazing. Im not a advertizer. Just a Scarborough resident who believes its about time
Why is there a picture of that crappy “Daily Bakery Chinese Restaurant”???!!! It has been there for several years as only a storefront. There are ugly old curtains covering what appears to be some suspicious activity because it is NOT open to the public . The few males I have seen go in and out do not acknowledge anyone (I have said hello to them on occasion). Not to mention the fact it makes the
rest of the plaza look bad.
looking for price lists for 2 and 3 bedroom as well as floor plans
I AM LOOKING FOR PRICES FOR 2 AND 3 BEDROOM HOMES AS WELL AS FLOOR PLANS
Not impressed. Condo development in the GTA is repulsive and now they want to bring it to an older neighborhood with a bit of character, and one of the last remaining beautiful nature pockets left also. I’d like to see it left alone. One condo will mean more, and more, and more. Developers are like cockroaches.
Will VHL be paying for the highly necessary upgrades to hydro infrastructure in this area? I highly doubt it. Toronto will be feeling the wrath soon for it’s short sighted behavior of taking the money and then wondering how they are going to pay for the necessary upgrades later. I’ve lived in a lot of different areas, and the more successful cities insist a large sum be payed into for such things well before building ever starts. Toronto is a bit slow when it comes to that, and far too quick to turn all areas into whitewashed little gentrified yuppie havens. How wonderful. Sorry, but I’m not happy about this. VHL – go find somewhere else please. I realize this area could use some cleaning up, but this is not the way to go about it.