The Concert Sunnybrook Plaza plan has taken a significant step forward with a site plan application resubmission for Phase 1 of the redevelopment at 660 Eglinton Avenue East in Toronto. This advancement marks a shift toward realizing a standalone first stage of the larger mixed-use master plan on a site that has been under redevelopment discussion for years, attracting strong attention from planners, residents, and investors alike.
Situated in the Leaside neighbourhood, this project sits adjacent to the future Leaside Station on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT — a major transit corridor expected to enhance connectivity and land values across midtown Toronto. As urban intensification continues, this resubmission signals renewed momentum for what could become one of the area’s most transformative developments.
What the Phase 1 Site Plan Includes
According to recent posts and updates from UrbanToronto, the site plan application that has been advanced for approval focuses on a standalone Phase 1 proposal for the Concert Sunnybrook Plaza plan. While specific architectural details remain under review by city planners, early indications suggest a tall tower component — reported to reach around 44 storeys for this phase — which reflects a significant density and height shift compared to earlier concepts.
Historically, the former Sunnybrook Plaza site was the home of one of Canada’s earliest suburban shopping centres. Previous development applications for the location have evolved over time — from mid-rise concepts to ambitious multi-tower proposals that respond to changing market conditions and zoning allowances.
Earlier proposals, such as the three-tower submission before Phase 1, envisioned buildings of 32, 37, and 43 storeys offering a mix of residential units and community amenities. Their objective was to dramatically increase housing supply near transit while reshaping the surrounding streetscape.
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Why This Update Matters for Toronto’s Urban Development
The advancement of the Concert Sunnybrook Plaza plan comes at a time of broad urban change in Toronto as the city works to accommodate population growth and housing demand. Sites like Sunnybrook Plaza, which lie along high-capacity transit routes such as the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, are increasingly attractive for redevelopment that pairs housing with retail and public realm improvements.
This particular resubmission is strategically important because it isolates Phase 1 of the wider concept, potentially enabling construction to begin sooner while keeping the broader master plan intact. Developers often take this approach when staging large projects so that financing, approvals, and early occupation can occur without waiting for later phases to be approved.
For urban planners and investors, visibility into Phase 1 gives early insight into project scale, community impact, and design priorities. It can also influence adjacent land values as staging and construction timelines become clearer.
Transit, Housing & Market Impacts
As noted, the Sunnybrook Plaza redevelopment is positioned right next to an important node on the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, a project that is reshaping commuting patterns across midtown Toronto. Transit-oriented communities typically see increased interest from both renters and buyers due to reduced travel times and better access to employment, cultural, and recreational hubs.
The broader Concert Sunnybrook Plaza plan — including parking, retail, and mixed residential options — highlights broader urban densification goals that the City of Toronto and provincial authorities have advocated for in strategic planning policies. Higher-density developments also serve key housing targets, which matter to policymakers and investors alike given ongoing market pressure.
Developer Strategy & Long-Term Vision
Concert Properties, the developer behind the proposal, has a track record of purpose-built communities and mixed-use planning across Canada. Their broader strategy typically emphasizes transit-linked residential developments that aim to balance livability with density — a key consideration in Toronto’s competitive land market.
The choice to advance a standalone Phase 1 application suggests the developer anticipates favourable planning outcomes and market demand sufficient to justify detailed design and construction sequencing at this stage of the project.
