Groundbreaking for New Purpose-Built Rental Community at Don Valley Station
📅 Today
In Toronto, developers Osmington Gerofsky Development Corporation (OGDC) and WJ Properties have officially commenced the first phase of a new purpose-built rental community located at 9 St. Dennis Drive. This phase, known as the Mixed-Use Rental Tower (Phase 1), carries a design value of $73 million and is set to feature a substantial 38-storey structure housing 474 units. This initiative marks the beginning of a multi-phase redevelopment project at the site, which is strategically situated near Don Mills and Eglinton, adjacent to the new Don Valley Station. Notably, the development is committed to providing 20 percent affordable housing, as well as nearly an acre of new public parkland. A significant aspect of the project is its environmentally friendly approach; the building will operate using a fully geothermal heating and cooling system.
The land on which this project is being built has been under the stewardship of the Weinbaum family, operating as WJ Properties, for over 60 years. Allan Weinbaum, the owner of WJ Properties, expressed the family’s long-standing commitment to the Flemingdon Park community, stating, “Since the late 1960s, our family has helped shape Flemingdon Park, building homes and caring for the people who live in them.” He emphasized that this project represents an investment in the neighborhood’s future, aiming to deliver more rental housing, create new public spaces, and enhance connectivity for residents to transit and surrounding opportunities.
The building’s energy-efficient design is particularly noteworthy. It will be powered entirely by geothermal energy sourced from 99 boreholes drilled deep into the ground. This innovative approach is projected to reduce energy consumption by 60 percent while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent compared to standard code-built structures.
Architect Peter Clewes of Architects Alliance commented on the design philosophy, stating, “At 9 St. Dennis, we wanted to work with that original morphology of the area and evolve the Modernist idea of the ‘tower in the park’ for contemporary life.” He elaborated on the design, which features a slender tower enveloped in glass and precast concrete frames, elegantly positioned atop a black porcelain-clad base that extends over a double-height atrium.
In addition to the residential component, OGDC and WJ Properties have taken steps to benefit the local community beyond the construction site. They have financed renovations for the nearby Flemingdon Park branch of the Toronto Public Library and have been providing 25 annual scholarships to graduating students at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute since 2025, in collaboration with The Neighbourhood Organization.
The project has also received substantial financial support through the Apartment Construction Loan program, securing $185 million in federal funding to facilitate its development. As construction progresses, the community can anticipate a blend of modern living spaces and enhanced public amenities that align with the needs of current and future residents.
The land on which this project is being built has been under the stewardship of the Weinbaum family, operating as WJ Properties, for over 60 years. Allan Weinbaum, the owner of WJ Properties, expressed the family’s long-standing commitment to the Flemingdon Park community, stating, “Since the late 1960s, our family has helped shape Flemingdon Park, building homes and caring for the people who live in them.” He emphasized that this project represents an investment in the neighborhood’s future, aiming to deliver more rental housing, create new public spaces, and enhance connectivity for residents to transit and surrounding opportunities.
The building’s energy-efficient design is particularly noteworthy. It will be powered entirely by geothermal energy sourced from 99 boreholes drilled deep into the ground. This innovative approach is projected to reduce energy consumption by 60 percent while also cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent compared to standard code-built structures.
Architect Peter Clewes of Architects Alliance commented on the design philosophy, stating, “At 9 St. Dennis, we wanted to work with that original morphology of the area and evolve the Modernist idea of the ‘tower in the park’ for contemporary life.” He elaborated on the design, which features a slender tower enveloped in glass and precast concrete frames, elegantly positioned atop a black porcelain-clad base that extends over a double-height atrium.
In addition to the residential component, OGDC and WJ Properties have taken steps to benefit the local community beyond the construction site. They have financed renovations for the nearby Flemingdon Park branch of the Toronto Public Library and have been providing 25 annual scholarships to graduating students at Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute since 2025, in collaboration with The Neighbourhood Organization.
The project has also received substantial financial support through the Apartment Construction Loan program, securing $185 million in federal funding to facilitate its development. As construction progresses, the community can anticipate a blend of modern living spaces and enhanced public amenities that align with the needs of current and future residents.
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Toronto
construction funding
sustainable construction
geothermal energy
multi-residential
public parkland
urban development
community investment
rental housing
Affordable housing
