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National Housing Strategy

Opportunity to develop 280+ Units in Toronto

Arbo is a new mixed-use neighbourhood in Toronto. The development will feature a vibrant transit-oriented community with a mix of housing and a significant natural woodlot.

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IMPORTANT

The request for expressions of interest for this property is now closed. The proposals submitted are being evaluated.

Arbo is a future mixed-use neighbourhood located at the northeast quadrant of Keele Street and Sheppard Avenue West, between Downsview Park to the south and Downsview Park TTC/GO Station to the north, in Toronto. The site is located approximately 13.6 kilometres from downtown Toronto and benefits from its location to nearby transit and Highway 401 and the 400-series highways.

The neighbourhood will be built with an existing and significant natural heritage woodlot and a new ecological park at its core. The vision of Arbo is to create a vibrant transit-oriented community that will provide a mix of housing and set a precedent for thoughtful urban development.

Arbo is being developed in multiple phases – Phase 1 includes 3 development blocks (Block 1, 3A and 3B), of which Block 3B is being offered on a land lease basis in this Request for Expression of Interest. The approved District Plan provides approximately 1,400 residential units in Phase 1, of which 280 units have been allocated to Block 3B by CLC predicated on a minimum of 30% of units must be affordable rental.

This property is being offered by Canada Lands Company through the Federal Lands Initiative.

Property Photos

 Federal Lands Initiative Property image
 Federal Lands Initiative Property image
 

Property Location

Property Description

Land Identifier:

CLC_ON_TO_L001

Property Address:

1350 Sheppard Avenue West, Toronto, ON

Offering:

Leasehold interest in Arbo Phase 1 - Block 3B with CLC as landlord; minimum 280 residential units.

Legal Description:

Draft Plan of Subdivision approval underway

Site Area:

0.981 ha (~2.42 acres)

Services:

Responsibility for all base servicing and infrastructure requirements assumed by Canada Lands Company.

Official Plan: 

Apartment Neighborhoods

Zoning:

City of Toronto By-law 1082-2022. RM6(287). There is a (H) Holding provision which CLC is working towards lifting.

Improvements: 

None

Minimum requirements

Interested applicants must demonstrate in their response to this Request for Expression of Interest how they will meet or exceed the following minimum requirements:

1. Affordability

  • Rents for at least 30% of the units must be below 80% of the Median Market Rental Rent, for the term of the lease (99 years).
  • Median Market Rental Rate means the median market rental rate for the regional market and unit type of the project as described in CMHC’s rental market survey or any successor publication published from time to time.
  • In planning the affordability component of your project, you must ensure rents for affordable units are set at 80% or less of the Median Market Rents as outlined below:

      Median Market Rental Rent

    • Bachelor: $1,400
    • 1-bedroom: $1,675
    • 2-bedroom: $1,903
    • 3-bedroom: $2,060

2. Accessibility

  • 20% of all units within the project meet or exceed accessibility standards as prescribed in Table A of the National Housing Strategy Federal Lands Initiative Energy Efficiency and Accessibility Tables and that access to the project and its common areas is barrier free or
  • the entire project (common areas and dwelling units) has full universal accessibility design.

3. Energy efficiency

  • New projects are required to achieve either a 25% decrease in energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions relative to the 2015 National Energy Code for Buildings or the 2015 National Building Code or a
  • 15% decrease relative to the 2017 National Energy Code for Buildings per CMHC.
  • New projects are also required by CLC to achieve or exceed the Toronto Green Standard Version 4 Tier 2.

4. Experience

  • Proponents, or their team, must demonstrate that they have a minimum of 5 years of experience in the construction and operation of projects of similar size and scope.
  • Proponents are permitted to acquire this experience by engaging third parties.
  • If you do not currently possess this experience, you must indicate in your Expression of Interest that you will commit to getting it if you are selected.

Your Expression of Interest response must include the following items:

  1. A signed copy of the Expression of Interest.
  2. A letter (on the applicant’s letter head) outlining, in broad terms, the type of project you would like to develop on the site:
    • A general description of the proposed project that is envisioned.
    • The targeted clientele, if any.
    • The expected schedule of development.
    • The expected composition and number of units, including the level of targeted affordability of those units, in comparison to the Median Market Rental Rate.
    • Expected other sources of funding and the anticipated availability of that funding.
    • Additionally, the applicant (which can include project partners and consultants) must detail their experience in developing and operating affordable housing projects of similar size and scope.
  3. Provide feedback, if any on the Federal Lands Initiative and/or development opportunity related to development considerations for project success/feasibility.
  4. An explanation (on the applicant’s letter head) for each minimum requirement, as to how you intend to meet and/or exceed each minimum requirement.

ABOUT THIS REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

The property will be available on a 99-year ground lease at a discounted to no cost price. The price will be determined based on the level of social outcomes and number of affordable units created.

The opportunity being marketed in this Request for Expression of Interest is the Arbo Phase 1 - Block 3B development lands in Toronto, Ontario.

The Federal Lands Initiative is open, but not limited, to the following groups:

  • community housing organizations
  • non-profit organizations or registered charities
  • co-operative housing organizations
  • municipal, provincial and territorial governments including their agencies
  • Indigenous governments and organizations, including tribal councils
  • for-profit organizations
  • non-profit and for-profit organizations with a seniors focus

RESOURCES

Explore our application resources:

  • Federal Lands Initiative Application Guide (PDF)
  • Energy Efficiency and Accessibility Requirements Guide (PDF)

Please contact your Indigenous and the North Housing Solutions Specialist or Multi-Unit Housing Solutions Specialist at contactcentre@cmhc.ca or 1-800-668-2642 to access the Request for Expression of Interest document and the Data Room.

Interested in This Property?

Please connect with your Indigenous and the North Housing Solutions Specialist or Multi-Unit Housing Solutions Specialist at contactcentre@cmhc.ca or 1-800-668-2642

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Date Published: August 24, 2024

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