Starlight Developments proposes to redevelop the existing rental properties at 1637-1645 Bathurst Street, dramatically upgrading them with a modern, elegant and welcoming rental building that is more compatible and complementary to the neighbourhood. We are very conscious of the distinctive nature of this part of Toronto and have taken great care, assisted by your advice, in developing a project that will sensitively blend in with its surroundings.
Since submitting the original proposal to the City in 2018, we have been listening carefully to the thoughtful comments from residents and city staff. And we’ve made changes. This is a start. You’ll be hearing more from us.
The Neighbourhood
1637 Bathurst is in the heart of Forest Hill South, one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods, with leafy streets bordered by elegant, stately homes. It is only steps away from the walking paths of Cedarvale Park and within easy reach of both the St. Clair West and Eglinton West subway stops.
Forest Hill / Toronto
Community Consultation
We believe in community, in neighbourhoods. We believe in building homes that people can be proud of and that respect their surroundings. We believe in listening and learning. We believe in city building. We believe in being sensitive, supportive landlords and good neighbours. That is why we are committed to community consultation and why we have made meaningful changes and improvements to our proposal.
Starlight has listened to the wishes of the community and the city and made several improvements and changes to the project based on what it has heard:
All surface parking spaces have been removed and relocated to…more
All surface parking spaces have been removed and relocated to an underground facility, while continuing to provide a sufficient number of vehicular and bicycle parking spaces to comply with the zoning by-law. less
Reduction of the massing in the northern portion of the…
The Bathurst façade was completely redesigned to break up the…more
The Bathurst façade was completely redesigned to break up the building massing to be more reflective of surrounding square brick buildings. This was carefully considered with the City of Toronto Urban Design Department. less
Significant reduction of the building height on the Bathurst side…more
Significant reduction of the building height on the Bathurst side to mitigate shadowing impact. less
Removal of stair pop-ups and any rooftop terraces facing Richview,…more
Removal of stair pop-ups and any rooftop terraces facing Richview, with terraces facing Bathurst Street only, and no outdoor amenity space proposed in the rear. less
Planting of interspersed deciduous trees within the rear yard (southeast…more
Planting of interspersed deciduous trees within the rear yard (southeast corner) and along the north side yard to provide additional separation between neighbouring backyards of homeowners along Ardmore Road and Richview Avenue. less
Articulated fronting breaks up the massing of the structure facing…more
Articulated fronting breaks up the massing of the structure facing Bathurst Street. less
Increased setbacks on all sides of the building.
Increased setbacks on all sides of the building. less
The rear yard of the new building is being transformed…more
The rear yard of the new building is being transformed from an alleyway with parking garages into a landscaped open space with adjacent residential units and patios. New units will look out onto this landscaped area which combined with planting and lighting will improve the look and safety of this area and create a feeling of backyards facing backyards—a substantial improvement over the bleak existing situation. less
Planting of shrubs and additional landscaping along the rear of…more
Planting of shrubs and additional landscaping along the rear of the building (east elevation) to provide for noise and visual privacy between proposed resident patios and the rear yards of homes along Richview Avenue. less
The Plan.
Before and After.
Current Bathurst St. View
The project comprises a grouping of five older, low-rise rental buildings (1637-1645 Bathurst Street) that are cut off from the street by a retaining wall.
The project comprises a grouping of five older, low-rise rental buildings (1637-1645 Bathurst Street) that are cut off from the street by a retaining wall. less
Aerial View
Set in one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods, they stick out as drab and unwelcoming.
Set in one of Toronto’s most desirable neighbourhoods, they stick out as drab and unwelcoming. less
Proposed Bathurst St. View
We propose a significant upgrade to the property with a single building that is tasteful, welcoming and much more in keeping with the feel of the neighbourhood. The retaining wall…more
We propose a significant upgrade to the property with a single building that is tasteful, welcoming and much more in keeping with the feel of the neighbourhood. The retaining wall will be removed, (a significant request from the city), connecting the building at a human level with the street. Based on community input and with the collaboration of the city’s Urban Planning and Urban Design Department, the original proposal for the Bathurst façade was completely redesigned, adding articulated fronting to break up massing and to be more reflective of surrounding brick buildings. less
Side View from North
This side view, looking from the north, shows how the building height was significantly reduced and the profile changed to mitigate shadowing as well as overlook impacts onto Richview Avenue…more
This side view, looking from the north, shows how the building height was significantly reduced and the profile changed to mitigate shadowing as well as overlook impacts onto Richview Avenue homes. Based on input from the community and city staff, rooftop terraces on the eastern side were removed. less
Current Rear View
The rear of the existing buildings is a bleak, forbidding alleyway.
The rear of the existing buildings is a bleak, forbidding alleyway. less
Proposed Rear View
The proposed new building would be a landscaped open space with adjacent residential units and patios. Combined with planting and lighting, it will be a dramatic improvement on the look…more
The proposed new building would be a landscaped open space with adjacent residential units and patios. Combined with planting and lighting, it will be a dramatic improvement on the look and safety of the area, creating a feeling of backyards facing backyards. Based on community and city input, above grade parking has been moved underground. Deciduous trees will be planted to provide additional separation from neighbouring backyards. less
FAQ’s
The existing, three-storey buildings have a total of 25 rental units. We propose a single, four-storey building with 75 rental units.
The buildings are dated and drab and no longer a good fit into the fabric of the neighbourhood. The new building will be a major upgrade—beautiful and welcoming and more connected to the street. We believe it will be much more of a complement to the surrounding neighbourhood, while still staying within an appropriate scale.
Starlight already has a significant presence in the area. We own and manage about 700 rental units in and around Forest Hill and take pride in maintaining them as beautiful and liveable homes.
At a time of a severe shortage of rental housing in Toronto, we are adding much-needed new units. City planners have been promoting this kind of gentle intensification as an important tool in avoiding urban sprawl, while still respecting the character of the neighbourhood. Allowing more people to live closer to the centre of the city helps limit greenhouse gas emissions and traffic congestion, while contributing to the vitality of the city.
In accordance with city policy, they will all be offered units in the new building at the same rent they are paying now. Starlight will cover moving costs and provide assistance in finding temporary accommodation during construction.
We are planning to engage with the current tenants, members of neighbourhood and the broader community to continue to hear their opinions and work together on a shared vision for this development. The COVID-19 pandemic currently limits our options for face-to-face meetings, but we are exploring options through virtual channels.
Please scroll to the bottom and you will see a form for submitting comments and questions.
Before the pandemic, we were planning meetings with both the tenants of the existing building and with residents in the broader community. Given the public health prohibitions on gatherings, we are exploring options for virtual meetings.
Starlight has launched a charitable fund, the COVID-19 Community Relief Initiative, which has raised more than $330,000 (including a $100,000 donation from Starlight). It supports such charities as Food Banks Canada, Fred Victor and the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre Foundation.
Project Timeline
Submission of application for zoning bylaw amendment
Starlight-initiated consultation with Richview Ave neighbours
Starlight-initiated consultation meeting with tenants of existing buildings
Community consultation meeting
Building redesign undertaken
Revised plans provided to City Planning, meeting with planning staff, further revisions
Building redesign with new architects
Revised plans provided to City Planning
Meetings with City Planning & Housing staff, with further plan revisions + discussions of rental replacement program
Joint submission of revised zoning by-law amendment application and application for Site Plan Amendment
City Staff comments received, which are favourable
City Council approved and adopted the Zoning By-laws for this site
Notice of Approval Conditions is anticipated. Site Plan pre-approval is imminent
We are here
Reports and documents submitted to the city.
Revised Landscape Plan. / DEC 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Resubmission Cover Letter. / NOV 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Resubmission Form. / NOV 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Revised Project Data Sheet. / NOV 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Revised Architectural Plans 1. / OCT 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Revised Architectural Plans 2. / OCT 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Revised Architectural Plans 3. / OCT 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Site Servicing Plan. / MAR 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Site Grading Plan. / MAR 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Cross Sections. / MAR 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Public Utilities Plan. / MAR 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. / MAR 2021 / DOWNLOAD
General Notes. / MAR 2021 / DOWNLOAD
Transportation Impact Assessment Update and Loading Diagrams. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Public Utilities Plan. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Resubmission Form Zoning By-Law Amendment and Rental Housing Replacement. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
1 of 3 Architectural Drawings. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
2 of 3 Architectural Drawings. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
3 of 3 Architectural Drawings. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Application Comment Response Chart. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Civil Engineering Cross Sections. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Collection Vehicle Structural Engineering Letter. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Cover Letter. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Development Approval Application Site Plan Control. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Energy Efficiency Report. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
General Notes. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Geohydrology Report. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Servicing and Stormwater Management Report. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Shadow Study. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Site Grading Plan. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Site Lighting and Photometric Plan. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Site Servicing Plan. / DEC 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Civil Engineering Comment Responses Letter. / NOV 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Landscape Drawings. / APR 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Draft Zoning By-law Amendment 438-86. / 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Draft Zoning By-law Amendment 569-2013. / 2019 / DOWNLOAD
Hydrological Review Summary Form. / AUG 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Cover Letter. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Transportation Impact Assessment. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Stormwater Management and Servicing Report. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Architectural Plans. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Rental Housing Screening Form. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Public Consultation Plan. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Planning Justification Report. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Housing Issues Report. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Application Form. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Site Servicing Plan. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Site Grading Plan. / FEB 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Geohydrology Assessment. / JAN 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Draft Zoning By-law Amendment (569-2013). / 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Draft Zoning By-law Amendment (438-86). / 2018 / DOWNLOAD
Servicing Report Groundwater Review Summary Form. / DEC 2017 / DOWNLOAD
Arborist Report. / NOV 2017 / DOWNLOAD
Tree Preservation Plan. / SEP 2017 / DOWNLOAD
Landscape Plan. / SEP 2017 / DOWNLOAD
Geotechnical Report. / AUG 2017 / DOWNLOAD
Planning Application Checklist. / MAY 2017 / DOWNLOAD
Shadow Study. / JAN 2017 / DOWNLOAD
Survey. / FEB 2016 / DOWNLOAD
Project Data Sheet 1. / DOWNLOAD
Project Data Sheet 2. / DOWNLOAD
Toronto Green Standards Checklist. / DOWNLOAD
News / Events
Redesigned 1637 Bathurst Improves Relationship With Street
Team /
At Starlight Developments we believe in the lasting value of complete communities that work for people. We are proud to be one of Canada’s leading developers and managers of purpose-built rental housing, office, retail, and mixed-use developments. We want our residents to experience improved quality of living, with access to best in class amenities. We build environments that are modern, diverse, and sustainable places where people want to live, work, shop and play. And we are committed to protecting the health and safety of our residents, staff and neighbours.
Starlight believes in being active, engaged and contributing members of the community.
WZMH Architects is an award-winning architectural partnership established in 1961 in Toronto, Ontario. Since its inception, WZMH has built a reputation on innovative design, technical expertise and dynamic leadership.
The firm’s expertise encompasses all aspects of the architectural process from master planning, site evaluation and feasibility studies, through the design and construction documentation phases, to the final selection of finishes and fittings for building interiors. The firm’s experience spans significant institutional and corporate projects, courthouse design, hotel and conference facilities, data centres, retail and office developments, resort and entertainment complexes, educational and residential buildings, as well as a number of major master plan studies. Project locations range from dense urban downtown sites to suburban, stand-alone facilities. All of these projects included diverse client and user groups with complex programming and technical requirements.
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