A Toronto rental tower Glencairn Station proposal has been submitted that could reshape the Yorkdale–Glen Park neighbourhood and add hundreds of purpose-built rental homes just steps from transit. According to UrbanToronto’s latest planning announcement on December 16, 2025, developers have put forward plans for a 37-storey purpose-built rental tower, designed by BDP Quadrangle, at the southwest corner of Benner and Stayner avenues — just a short walk from the Glencairn subway station on Line 1 and within reach of the future Eglinton Line 5.
This proposal reflects Toronto’s ongoing push toward transit-oriented intensification as the city seeks to deliver more housing near major transit infrastructure. Many contemporary projects of similar scale are emerging along major subway corridors, including other proposals for 30- to 40-storey towers in the same area.
The project site is currently occupied by low-rise houses, and the application would replace these with high-density residential space if approved. The developer — represented through planning filings by MHBC Planning — has applied for Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments to enable the redevelopment.
The proposed building would rise to 37 storeys, delivering 418 rental units designed to meet growing demand for urban living options. The unit mix would include a range of apartment sizes, with a strong share of one- and two-bedroom units alongside larger three-bedroom homes. Indoor amenity space of approximately 1,265 m² and outdoor space of about 653 m² would boost resident experience, including on-site communal areas located at grade and on higher floors. Vehicle parking is planned below grade, and bicycle parking — including e-bike charging stations — would be integrated to support sustainable transportation.
Transit & Location Benefits
This Toronto rental tower Glencairn Station would be exceptionally walkable. The Glencairn subway station on TTC Line 1 sits roughly a five-minute walk to the north, with surface transit connections on Marlee Avenue providing quick access to other parts of the city. Future service upgrades and expanded transit lines like Eglinton Line 5 further enhance the site’s accessibility.
Proximity to major corridors such as Allen Road and nearby parks, trails, and retail services adds substantial neighborhood appeal. Planning policies at both the city and provincial level have increasingly encouraged growth in Protected Major Transit Station Areas, which are designed to concentrate higher-density residential and mixed-use projects near transit hubs to maximize ridership and minimize car dependency.
Context: Growth Around Glencairn
The Glencairn area — once defined by low-rise houses — has seen a wave of taller development proposals in recent years, with numerous applications for towers between roughly 30 and 40 storeys. For example, other nearby submissions have contemplated two-tower complexes of 35- and 37-storeys, as well as 38- and 40-storey buildings, all aimed at adding more housing near transit.
This cluster of planning activity signals a broader trend: City Council and urban planners are increasingly prioritizing dense residential intensification near transit corridors as a strategy to meet long-term housing needs and reduce urban sprawl. This aligns with recent policy shifts designed to support more homes near major transit stations under Ontario growth plans.
You can also check our blogs about A Bold New Skyline: Three 65-Storey Towers Proposed North of VMC on Jane Street, Vaughan and Concord Sky Toronto: 5 Major Updates as Glazing Climbs & Massing Takes Shape.
Market Impact & Investor Signals
From a real estate perspective, the Toronto rental tower Glencairn Station application highlights several meaningful trends for 2025:
- Growing demand for purpose-built rental housing as rental markets tighten in Toronto’s core and inner suburbs.
- Transit-oriented development premiums, which often support higher land values due to strong demand from renters and investors alike.
- Policy alignment at provincial and municipal levels encouraging denser builds near major transit nodes.
Investors and developers will be watching closely as this proposal moves through the municipal review process, with potential implications for land values in adjacent parts of North York and Yorkdale-Glen Park. Condos, rental towers, and mixed-use developments all benefit when a neighbourhood gains official status as a priority transit-oriented area.
