Etobicoke’s Richview Square is on the brink of a major transformation. Located at the intersection of Eglinton Avenue West and Wincott Drive, the aging retail plaza will soon give way to a bold new redevelopment that blends mixed-use density with desperately needed affordable housing.
The approved plan includes three new residential towers — two at 13 storeys and one at 11 — while retaining part of the existing one-storey plaza. A total of 587 residential units are planned, of which 54 will be purpose-built affordable rental units secured through zoning agreements. The redevelopment, led by Motrin Richview GP Inc., also includes a 1,700 m² public park, a 659 m² privately owned publicly accessible space (POPS), and more than 930 vehicle parking spaces alongside 402 bicycle parking spots.
🏗️ A Mixed-Use Vision for the West End
The Richview Square project exemplifies the growing shift toward mid-rise, transit-oriented development across Toronto’s outer neighbourhoods. The site, designated as a Mixed Use Area under the Official Plan, is ideally positioned to support growth while maintaining community-serving amenities. The retained retail plaza ensures continuity for local businesses, while the addition of new housing responds directly to the city’s ongoing affordability crisis.
The 54 affordable rental units are a welcome addition in a region where vacancy rates remain tight and market rents have surged. The units will be integrated among a broader mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom layouts, ensuring a range of family types can be accommodated.
🌳 Greener Living and Public Access
Beyond housing, the development will introduce new green space and pedestrian-friendly design. The proposed public park and POPS are expected to become vital community gathering areas, while new streetscaping and building massing reflect Toronto’s push for walkable, human-scale development.
The project aligns with broader planning goals laid out in the Growth Plan (2020) and the Provincial Policy Statement, and has been reviewed in line with Toronto’s Mid-Rise Design Guidelines and Avenues & Mid-Rise Buildings Study.
🔑 Final Word: The Path Forward in Etobicoke
While much of the media attention on housing focuses on Toronto’s downtown core, the Richview Square redevelopment shows that critical progress is also happening in the suburbs. These mid-rise, mixed-income communities will play a pivotal role in solving the housing crisis — especially if more projects embed affordability into their foundations.
The 54 affordable units here are only a fraction of what’s needed, but they represent a meaningful step forward for Etobicoke families seeking stability. With construction approval granted and planning policies aligned, Richview Square stands as a blueprint for how underused retail plazas can evolve into vibrant, inclusive neighbourhoods.
🔑 Keys to the City is GTA Weekly’s weekly editorial series on affordable housing across the Greater Toronto Area — published every Monday. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for the full series and housing updates across the GTA. #GTAWeekly #GTAToday #AffordableHousing #KeysToTheCity
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