Massive affordable housing development with over 700 units officially open in Toronto

Anyone who has driven down Eastern Avenue between the bustling east-end neighbourhoods of Leslieville and The Beaches (or The Beach) has no doubt noticed the sprawling multi-building white condo taking shape along the road.

Now, that striking white building has opened with a mix of affordable and market-rate rental and condominium units. 

This week, the city and the Toronto Community Housing Corporation announced the opening of Don Summerville, a mixed-income, mixed-tenure housing community that they say “sets the bar for new housing developments in Toronto.” 

Built in partnership with Context Development and RioCan, the development, located at 1070 Eastern Ave., features a total of 770 homes. 

In a news release, the city said the building contributes to the city’s HousingTO target of approving 65,000 rent-controlled and affordable homes by 2030. 

The three-building development sits on a 3.3-acre site and features 120 rent-geared-to-income suites, 100 affordable rental units, 183 market-rent units and 367 condominium (owned) suites. It also boasts 16,000 square feet of retail space. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by City of Toronto (@cityofto)

The community will also feature a Privately Owned Public Space (or POP), providing a dedicated open space for public use. 

Prior to the building’s construction, the site was home to two 60-unit TCHC rent-geared-to-income buildings. 

Located on the eastern edge of Leslieville, Don Summerville is close to Woodbine Park, Woodbine Beach and the Martin Goodman Trail. It offers residents quick access to the TTC’s 501 streetcars and Coxwell Avenue buses.

Within the market rental and condo buildings, there are 82 affordable homes, including 50 affordable homes for women and their families, and 32 co-operative dwellings, which comprise 17 RGI units and 15 affordable homes, with some units allocated for artists.

“Soon, residents will start moving into the newly revitalized Don Summerville community that is home to 780 mixed-income, mixed-tenure new homes. Don Summerville was created through the strong partnership from the City of Toronto, TCHC and private partners to deliver more affordable housing for Torontonians,” Mayor Olivia Chow said in a statement. 

“Every Torontonian deserves to live in a home that they’re proud of, and in a neighbourhood where they can thrive, like the future residents of Don Summerville will. This community is a model of what we can achieve across the City, and we will continue identifying communities and opportunities where we can do the same.”  

Photos from the TCHC and City of Toronto