Massive master-planned community aims to bring tallest towers to Vaughan

VAUGHAN, ONT. — The 3131 Highway 7 master plan, located directly across from the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre (VMC), aims to bring 10,000 new residential units of various types and sizes to the city while reducing the reliance on cars.

The 27-acre redevelopment has been designed by WZMH Architects and is situated near the VMC subway station.

In addition to housing, the project features a mixture of commercial and retail spaces, including offices, a hotel, day care, retail, and a 3,554-square-metre grocery store, among others, explains a release.

The centrepiece of the development are two 69 and 74-storey towers, which will be the tallest buildings in Vaughan, and will signify a “centre” for the VMC.

COURTESY WZMH — Green roofs, new parks, public gardens, green spaces, pedestrian walkways, community gathering areas are central to the design of Vaughan’s 3131 Highway 7 master plan. In particular, the concept of apple baskets, which is inspired by the city’s agricultural heritage has been integrated into the design.

Green roofs, new parks, public gardens, green spaces, pedestrian walkways, community gathering areas are central to the design, the release adds.

In particular, the concept of apple baskets, which is inspired by Vaughan’s agricultural heritage, has been integrated into the landscape design. This is achieved by echoing the orchard patterns seen in historic aerial imagery.

All buildings have been designed to maximize active uses at grade. Some of the areas within the development blocks will have a more residential character, with at-grade units, amenity space and lobbies, the release states.

Other areas, particularly along key street frontages and the Millway Linear Park, will provide non-residential spaces.

The entire project will create four new development blocks structured on a network of public streets as envisioned in the VMC Secondary Plan. The new streets (Celebration Avenue, Doughton Road, Toromont Trai and the extension of Millway Avenue) will be designed as complete streets with landscaping, street trees and sidewalks on both sides.

There will also be a direct underground connection from “Block A.” This section of the development will contain over 7,000 square metres of office space as well as a proposed hotel.

The underground component is meant to provide easier connections for workers and guests, in addition to the residents of the block.

The proposed development has been focused around two parks: the Millway Linear Park and the Central Park. These represent 15 per cent of the gross site area.