Huge 58-storey condo tower would replace beloved Toronto building

A development proposal first pitched for Toronto’s condo-packed midtown back in 2020 has been resubmitted with a much larger plan that would soar high into the local skyline.

Almost four years ago, developer RioCan REIT tabled plans to bring a 37-storey rental and commercial tower to 2323 Yonge Street, located at the northeast corner of Yonge and Roehampton, a block north of Eglinton.

In June, the developer resubmitted plans and is now seeking a 58-storey condo tower for the site — an increase of 21 storeys — along with a completely reimagined design.

The proposal aims to replace an existing eight-storey office building at 2323 Yonge and a single-storey Dollarama location at 2329 Yonge with a new tower designed by architects Dialog.

2323 Yonge Street. Rendering by Dialog via City of Toronto.

The existing office building, while lacking heritage protections, is a beloved example of mid-20th-century architecture — from a grey area of an era rarely afforded the same protections as buildings just a few decades older.

A previous plan paid basic lip service to this 1970-built structure with an intent to incorporate a small fraction of its facade of precast concrete window frame panels. Even this most basic retention effort has been axed from the current plan, which intends to demolish the building wholesale.

The existing building at 2323 Yonge Street. Photo by Jack Landau.

The updated plan would rise to a height of almost 191 metres, and would be one of the tallest buildings on the midtown skyline if approved as currently proposed.

A total of 750 condominium units are proposed atop a base containing approximately 1,000 square metres of retail space and two levels of amenities for condo residents.

Facing east from Orchard View Blvd across Yonge to 2323 Yonge Street. Rendering by Dialog via City of Toronto.

The design itself is somewhat chaotic, rendered in black and white with trees sprouting from rounded, projecting balconies.

Facing northeast across Yonge to 2323 Yonge Street. Rendering by Dialog via City of Toronto.

The trio of renderings produced thus far do not suggest that this will be a particularly visually appealing addition to the neighbourhood, and for a building of such height and prominence, the decision to design a background building rather than a landmark adds insult to the injury of demolishing what exists today.