Galleria on the Park will revitalize Toronto’s West End

The Galleria on the Park development is one of the largest communities to be introduced to Toronto this year. Eight mixed-use buildings, encompassing nearly 2,900 condominium residences, 300,000 sq. ft. of retail and 150 affordable rental housing units, an approximately eight-acre park, as well as a 95,000-sq.-ft. brand-new community centre that doubles the size of the current facility.

Located at the corner of Dufferin St. and Dupont St., the master-planned community will transform the 20-acre Galleria Shopping Centre site into a much-needed vibrant hub in Toronto’s west end. In the much-anticipated launch, ELAD Canada will deliver the expansive Wallace Emerson Community Centre and Park, as well as Galleria 01, a 29-storey mixed-use tower that features condominium residences, and 40,000 sq. ft of commercial space spanning two storeys to support the growing local community.

“Galleria on the Park reflects the Toronto we live in today – a city that is active and diverse, featuring amenities and public spaces that reflect how we want to live,” says Dror Duchovny, vice-president of marketing and asset management at ELAD Canada.

The introduction of Galleria on the Park is perfectly timed as the city’s west end shifts from Toronto’s industrial roots. With new artisanal restaurants and cafés cropping up within the Dupont West neighbourhood, along with a fast-growing entrepreneurial energy, and arts and culture scene on Geary Avenue, the neighbourhood is primed for urban renewal.

“Galleria on the Park will be transformational for this neighbourhood’s growth, bringing a downtown lifestyle to this western stretch of Dupont St. On top of creating viable housing options, we are proud to be delivering larger and modernized public amenities and greenspace that will become the central gathering place for the entire neighbourhood,” says Duchovny.

The project began in 2015 when ELAD Canada and Freed Developments partnered on the Galleria site, unlocking one of the largest untapped development opportunities in Toronto. Over the past four years, the partnership has taken a highly collaborative, community-centred approach to the site’s re-imagination, conducting numerous public engagement sessions to better understand their neighbours’ vision, engage experts and collaborate with stakeholders. The opinions of hundreds of people were included in the final master-plan design by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Urban Strategies.

The new 95,000 sq. ft. Wallace Emerson Community Centre will become one of the largest community centres in Toronto. Designed by internationally recognized architecture firm Perkins and Will, who also designed the Aaniin Community Centre and Library in Markham as well as the award-winning Albion Library in Etobicoke, the Wallace Emerson Community Centre will feature a wide range of programming and activities for a multi-generational demographic, including an outdoor skating trail, daycare, community kitchen, a dance studio, swimming pools, and a running track, among others.

A new street will be introduced that runs diagonally through the site connecting Dufferin St. to Dupont St, ensuring maximum public frontage onto the expansive Wallace Emerson Park designed by Public Work, an urban design and landscape architecture firm behind some of Toronto’s most prolific public spaces, including the Bentway and the Wavedecks. A fine-grained network of streets and blocks through the site enhance streetscapes, serving multiple uses, including retail, office and recreational.

The amenities and suites, by award-winning design firm U31, bring urban sophistication indoors. With an emphasis on family-friendly lifestyles, amenities on the third floor feature an expansive co-working space that doubles as an events space opening out to a wrap-around outdoor terrace, as well as a kids’ playroom, a screening and games room, and a chef’s kitchen and dining room. On the 12th floor, residents can enjoy views of the park and the city skyline while lounging by the pool or in the fitness centre.

“We have operated on an unwavering belief in the project’s strong commitment to creating a thriving, vibrant community. Galleria on the Park is an ambitious project by the community for the community – the public’s vision is truly embedded within our own, creating something truly meaningful for the city,” says Duchovny.

Galleria 01, the first tower of the two-tower building, will feature 267 residences, ranging from 493 sq. ft. to 1,107 sq. ft.Prices start from high-$400s. For more information and to register, please visit galleriaonthepark.com