On The Map
20-acre site at Dupont and Dufferin turning into Galleria on the Park
Ar chi te ctu rally, there’s never been anything remarkable about the Galleria Mall at Dupont and Dufferin streets.
The ’70s-era building was a nondescript slab with a parking lot, a Mcdonald’s and a small park tucked in the back where skateboarders would do their thing next to kids on swing sets. Both the mall and the park were gathering places. But, according to Dror Duchovny, vice president of marketing and asset management for ELAD, the firm redeveloping the site — along with the Wallace community centre, in collaboration with the City of Toronto and Perkins + Will — the area has been lacking in the infrastructure needed for a neighbourhood that’s increasing in density year over year.
“We love the neighbourhood,” says Duchovny, but “it’s underdeveloped and needed change badly.”
The developer is turning the 20-acre site into Galleria on the Park. With its “pedestrian-only pathways, doublesided retail with beautiful greenery and a European look and feel to the sitting areas,” as Duchovny describes it, the mixed- use, master-planned community will inject energy into the vicinity. He also calls it a “bicycle-centric” project — there will be parking for 3,500 bikes.
Nearly 3,000 condo units, meanwhile, will be spread out over three buildings. The first two, by Core Architects, sold out last year. The third phase — a 31- storey flatiron building designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects — will serve as a gateway to the development. Residences in the 427-unit flatiron building range from studios to three bedrooms. Suites range in size from 395 to 1,225 square feet, with prices starting in the high $400,000s.
“Dupont takes a bend towards the north around our site, and as it gets west of the site it comes back to its regular position,” says Michael Conway, an associate partner at Hariri Pontarini Architects, who says the shape makes it a natural fit for a flatiron.
Moreover, its shape will enhance the park that’s there, “which previously felt a lot more like a backyard,” says Conway. “There was a small entrance to it off Dufferin and then it extended down the site,” he says. “By creating a diagonal road through the site, it allowed us to add on a park to the existing, while opening up the access along the entire road and increasing the porosity with the neighbourhood.”
The new park will be eight acres and, together with a skating rink, an attractive addition to the project. There will also be a trail running through the park, which will be divided into three distinct zones.
The building itself will feature “hard- working materials that speak to the former industrial uses of the building, as well as its proximity to the rail line,” says Conway. Curved balconies will appear on the bow, along with detailed rungs up top, inspired by the radiator plant that once operated there, says Conway.
“We’re also showing a strong robust brick mixed with a metal detail on the first eight floors,” notes Conway of the building, which will have double- storey retail at its base. “A lot of that came out of the history of the neighbourhood.”
The area is in need of housing, adds Duchovny. “There’s not a lot of offerings. The demographics are changing. New families are coming in, as well as the existing population.” A kids’ area is going in on the building’s 11th floor.
Rolling out a massive community has its advantages, he says. “We can offer a wide range of unit types.”
The DesignAgency — the firm that brought attitude to The Broadview Hotel and Momofuku — are behind the unit design. They’re bringing that same “elevated experience” here, says Duchovny.
Residents can choose between three palettes: light and bright, high contrast or tone on tone. Contemporary kitchens feature flat- panel cabinets, while the bathrooms are outfitted with upscale custom wood- veneer vanities.
Amenities on the third floor will include a fitness area, an exterior dog run and pet wash, a spot to do outdoor yoga under trees and a co-working space.
In addition to the kids’ area, the 11th floor has a social lounge with a hanging orb fireplace, billiards and a private dining room with chef ’s kitchen and wine cellars. Outdoors there will be a barbecue area, games space and an elevated pool with cabanas.
Every unit will have a balcony.
Meanwhile, for the lobby, the designers created cosy seating, brought in custom artwork and recharge stations, while curved walls and arches echo the sinuous lines of the building’s exterior.
While residents won’t be able to see the lobby’s artwork until the project is finished in 2023, they can check out the 60- foot mall pylon that’s outside of the site — a neon installation by Toronto artist Thrush Holmes. He “has a studio nearby on Geary,” says Duchovny. “We wanted to engage the community as much as we could.”
Across the street at the sales centre, a large, splashy mural was commissioned to artist Jacquie Comrie, another marker of the area’s next chapter.
Prices for Phase III start in the high $ 400,000s. For more information, visit galleriaonthepark.com.