With the lack of available space in the downtown core, builders are starting to be more creative with their methods to fulfill Toronto’s need for intensification and new residential projects. One of those methods is building and revitalizing around malls and strip malls. As at the Don Mills Centre, there are times when parking lots or commercial office buildings can be rebuilt or demolished to make way for residential towers. Another of these types of projects is the Humbertown Centre, a low-rise mall on The Kingsway in Etobicoke.

In a plan submitted to the City of Toronto, the owners of The Humbertown Centre are spelling out an interesting future for the site. The proposal sees the addition of seven condominium towers, ranging in size to a maximum of 21 storeys. There would also be a significant addition of commercial office and retail spaces. As part of the plan, all surface parking would be eliminated, and an underground parking lot would be constructed. The project would be rolled out over four phases.

The Humbertown Centre offers more than 137,000 square feet of retail space. Some of their major tenants include Loblaws, Shoppers Drug Mart, The Royal Bank of Canada, and an LCBO.

Although there are no dates set, we can expect First Capital Realty to take their time with this one, as there is a significant number of low-rise homes in the area, and they will probably be looking for a big name developer to work with.

What are your thoughts about this potential plan? Do you envision more builders heading to Etobicoke and other outskirts of the Greater Toronto Area?

Please comment below.