Scarborough’s future transit landscape is moving beyond tracks and stations—it’s about building complete communities around rapid transit hubs. The proposed Lawrence East Transit-Oriented Community (TOC) at the Lawrence and McCowan Station on the upcoming Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE) is a cornerstone of that vision.
Led by Infrastructure Ontario (IO) in partnership with the Ministry of Infrastructure (MOI), the project proposes approximately 770 new residential units, including affordable housing options, alongside 350 new jobs, and a mix of retail and office space. The TOC aims to transform the area into a vibrant, walkable hub with direct access to the future subway station, Scarborough General Hospital, and surrounding neighborhoods.
“This development is about more than transit—it’s about creating housing supply, job opportunities, and a better quality of life for Scarborough residents,” IO noted in its latest community update.
Community Benefits and Features
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Residential Growth: 770 units, including a portion dedicated to affordable housing.
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Employment: 350 new jobs to support local economic development.
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Retail and Office Space: Street-level activity to bring life and convenience to the area.
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Green Space: New parkland and landscaped public areas for community use.
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Transit Access: Seamless connections to the Lawrence and McCowan Station, with a dedicated drop-off area and underground parking.
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Pedestrian-Friendly Design: A future transit plaza linking the community directly to the subway.
Planning and Next Steps
The development concept was submitted to the City of Toronto in October 2023, with public consultations beginning in March 2024. A second open house took place on June 10, 2025, gathering more feedback from residents and stakeholders.
This Scarborough TOC is part of Ontario’s broader strategy to link housing growth directly to transit investment, addressing long-term population pressures and housing shortages while reducing reliance on cars. The project reflects the province’s “More Homes Near Transit” initiative, which aims to deliver sustainable, mixed-use communities at key subway and GO Train stations across the GTA.
The Bigger Picture
Transit-oriented communities like Lawrence East are crucial to solving Toronto’s housing crunch. By building density around new subway stations, developments can add thousands of homes while cutting commute times and creating more liveable, connected neighborhoods.
The Lawrence East TOC could serve as a model for future projects along the SSE corridor, as the city prepares for significant population growth leading up to 2051.
📰 Square Footage is GTA Weekly’s Saturday feature on design, density, and development across Ontario. Published every Saturday. Follow us @GTAWeeklyNews for more on Toronto’s transit-oriented future. #GTAToday #SquareFootage
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