735 Wonderland Road North - 25s (Approved)

[CanadianTalk]

Ward 6 Councillor Sam Trosow shared on social media that an open house is taking place next week to discuss a 25-storey residential apartment building, proposed to replace part of the plaza at the southeast corner of Wonderland and Beaverbrook (735 Wonderland Rd N).

SBM Limited, on behalf of the applicant, intends to host this open-house before filing an official zoning application with the city.

I believe York Developments owns the plaza, so this is likely their proposal.

This building would be the tallest in the Oxford/Wonderland area (and maybe the tallest in London outside the downtown core????), even if you count the other proposals in the area such as the future Beaverbrook/Oxford development next to Cherryhill, and the Westdell proposal near Capulet.

[manny_santos]

I’ll call it the Swiss Chalet Tower, since that’s what was there in my childhood.

[Djeffery]

I'm curious about the 2 low-rise buildings this image shows on the corner of that parking lot. Wonder who is proposing those?

[jammer139]

Not surprising as that plaza has been struggling for a while now. Although I suspect this tower is pretty low on York's to-do list given how long it is with previously approved towers around the city. Would not be surprised that this project may be 10 years out for them.

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by jammer139

Not surprising as that plaza has been struggling for a while now. Although I suspect this tower is pretty low on York's to-do list given how long it is with previously approved towers around the city. Would not be surprised that this project may be 10 years out for them.

Wow, that would bring a sea-change to the look of that neighborhood, and just maybe, slightly blunt the extreme ugliness of the Drewlo forest of nearly identical concrete slabs and the general soul-suckingness that is the Stroad known as north Wonderland Road.

[CanadianTalk]

York has officially submitted their zoning application to the city for this proposed 25 storey building. It will be mixed-use with 219 residential apartment units.

Planning application page: https://london.ca/business-development/p...nning-applications/735-wonderland-road-n

Planning application notice: https://london.ca/sites/default/files/20...rland%20Road%20-%20Combined%20Notice.pdf

[jammer139]

Good to see some more detailed renders but I still think this is pretty far out on their time table given all the other projects they have around the city. I'd be surprised if this started before 2030.

[inimrepus]

Originally Posted by jammer139

Good to see some more detailed renders but I still think this is pretty far out on their time table given all the other projects they have around the city. I'd be surprised if this started before 2030.

It feels like York is just constantly proposing new developments.

[Djeffery]

Originally Posted by inimrepus

It feels like York is just constantly proposing new developments.

Sure, but unlike certain other companies that keep putting out sketches and proposals, they are actually building things too.

[jammer139]

The architect website with more renders of this proposal.



https://matterinc.ca/?typology=735-wonderland-road-north


City webpage has been updated:


https://london.ca/business-development/p...nning-applications/735-wonderland-road-n




Architectural plans - https://london.ca/sites/default/files/20...erland%20Tower%20-%202023-11-24_aoda.pdf


Will have a roof top pool it appears

[jammer139]

LFP article on Yorks 25s rezoning proposal for site of Swiss Chalet plus some other projects in the area.


https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/a-25...ower-and-concerns-about-traffic-overload

[CanadianTalk]

City planning staff is recommending that Council approve the zoning changes that would allow for this proposed 25-storey apartment building.

This goes to the Planning and Environment committee on April 9th, then to Council on April 23rd.

https://london.ca/sites/default/files/20...5%20Wonderland%20Road%20N%20%28AR%29.pdf

[jammer139]

LFP article on this proposal going to PEC today.


https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/a-ra...n-northwest-london-just-no-rapid-transit

[jammer139]

PEC approves this rezoning in 4-1 vote. Same old NIMBY talking points trotted out. Next up full council where this should be approved easily.



https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/traf...-25-storey-wonderland-road-tower-debated

[CanadianTalk]

Council voted 12-2 to approve this apartment building.

CBC London: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/tr...d-in-favour-of-apartment-tower-1.7182433

Global London: https://globalnews.ca/news/10445700/cont...wer-approved-by-london-ont-city-council/

London Free Press: https://lfpress.com/news/local-news/25-s...id-transit-village-without-rapid-transit

[jammer139]

Not surprising to see the same two councillors vote against yet another development. Asking to delay the vote and refer back to city staff is getting tedious on their part. Thankfully the rest of council has ignored them again and approved the zoning.

[CharlesSaticoy]

Would like to see a nice design like this downtown.

[haljackey]

Bye bye Swiss Chalet

With the BRT and Wonderland widening cancelled, perhaps the two could eventually be hybridized to widen Wonderland, but those new lanes would be bus only.

[MolsonExport]

Despite living close by, I haven't been to that Swiss Chalet in at least a decade.

[inimrepus]

Honestly, having rapid transit on Wonderland would be a huge benefit.