Markham is preparing for one of the most significant transit-oriented developments in York Region, as plans advance for the Milliken GO TOC (transit oriented community), a large-scale redevelopment anchored by the Stouffville GO corridor.
Located on the former Market Village site, the project will deliver approximately 5,500 residential units across a mix of high-rise and mid-rise buildings, positioning Milliken as a major growth node along the Toronto–Markham boundary.
From Market Village to Vertical Community
The Milliken GO TOC will transform a 23-acre site into a dense, mixed-use district featuring:
- 12 residential towers
- Heights ranging from 25 to 50 storeys
- Additional mid-rise buildings up to 15 storeys
- Integrated retail, employment, and public space
This marks a dramatic shift from a traditional suburban commercial site to a vertical urban community.
Part of a Larger Urban Vision
The TOC is not a standalone project—it is part of the broader Milliken Centre Secondary Plan, which envisions:
- 8,000+ total residential units
- 4,800 jobs
- A compact, walkable, transit-supportive urban environment
The Milliken GO TOC serves as a key catalyst within that larger plan, accelerating density near transit infrastructure.
Designing Connectivity Across the Corridor
One of the most notable elements under consideration is a pedestrian bridge over the railway, which would connect the TOC site to the broader Milliken Centre community.
This type of infrastructure is critical in TOC planning, ensuring that:
- Communities are connected, not divided by transit corridors
- Residents can access schools, parks, and services safely
- Transit nodes function as integrated neighbourhood hubs
Growth Pressures Already Emerging
Planning documents highlight a key challenge: infrastructure is already under strain.
- Local schools are currently operating above capacity
- A new elementary school is planned to support future growth
- Additional education infrastructure will be required as development progresses
This underscores a broader issue across the GTA:
housing growth must be matched by social infrastructure investment
Transit-Oriented Density at Scale
With GO Expansion increasing service frequency, Milliken GO is being repositioned as a high-density transit anchor.
The TOC model here supports:
- Increased transit ridership
- Reduced reliance on car commuting
- Efficient use of existing rail infrastructure
This aligns with Ontario’s strategy to concentrate growth within Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs).
The Bigger Picture: A New Urban Node in York Region
The Milliken GO TOC reflects a major shift in how the GTA is evolving:
- Former retail lands are being redeveloped into high-density communities
- Growth is expanding along regional transit corridors
- Suburban municipalities are transitioning into urban centres
For Markham, this project signals the emergence of Milliken as a true urban node, not just a commuter station.
Square Footage Takeaway
The Milliken GO transit oriented community is one of the most ambitious TOCs in the region.
It demonstrates that:
- Transit-oriented development is moving toward mega-scale intensification
- Planning must account for schools, infrastructure, and connectivity
- The future GTA will be shaped by dense, transit-linked urban centres
📰 Square Footage is GTA Weekly’s weekly look at design, density, and development across Ontario’s transit corridors.
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