Metrolinx selects development partner to transform Front and Spadina

Metrolinx is working to integrate transit into the places people live, work, shop and play at the southwest corner of Front Street West and Spadina Avenue in downtown Toronto to increase housing supply and spur new economic opportunities. 

The plan is to transform a 1.01-acre site at 433 Front Street West into a new mixed-use development that will connect the future Spadina-Front GO Station to a high-density mixed-use development. This is an opportunity to bring more housing, jobs and transit options to the growing population of downtown Toronto. People living, working and visiting Toronto will benefit from two-way, all-day GO Train service with faster trains and more frequent service that will better connect the region. 

The site currently serves as the North Bathurst Yard, a train layover facility where GO Trains are stored during non-peak periods. With the multi-billion-dollar investment in GO Expansion underway to transform GO rail service across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, an opportunity was presented to better utilize the North Bathurst Yard lands. 

The GO station will be delivered through GO Expansion and is currently planned to serve the Barrie GO Line. Above the station is where Metrolinx is exploring a forward-thinking approach to optimize land above and around the GO station to create a vibrant, sustainable, mixed-use community that will bring more housing and jobs within walking distance of transit.   

Given the complexities of building on a tight parcel of land on an active rail corridor, Metrolinx issued a two stage Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and Request for Proposals (RFP) to seek the expertise of industry through an open competition. 

Through that process, a partnership formed by Dream Unlimited Corp. and Kilmer Group, which was selected as the successful proponent and Metrolinx’s development partner on the project. Dream Kilmer has experience in mixed use and infrastructure development. 

The proposal by Dream Kilmer integrates the at-grade GO station within a new mixed-use development, with station entrances connecting onto Front Street West and Spadina Avenue. 

Selecting a development partner is the first step in the process. Dream Kilmer will work with Metrolinx and ONxpress (the successful GO Expansion proponent) throughout the two-year GO Expansion development phase to ensure the scope, design and construction schedule are seamlessly integrated.  

Dream Kilmer has entered into a partnership agreement with Metrolinx and will work with the city of Toronto through the established municipal planning approvals process and other necessary due diligence. 

Projects like this don’t happen overnight. They require time, coordination and partnership to succeed. This will be top of mind as Metrolinx and Dream Kilmer work to bring this vision to life.