The Sky’s the Limit: Another Towering Achievement on Kingston Road
Hold onto your hard hats, folks! Pickering is gearing up for yet another architectural monument to density—a towering mix-use development that’s about to replace an utterly thrilling commercial plaza. Designed by BDP Quadrangle for the astutely named Resident, this proposal features five startling skyscrapers reaching between 28 and 35 storeys. It’s basically like Monopoly, but in real life, just with fewer classic board game-style arguments and way more concrete.
A “high-rise” view of 705 Kingston Road, your next favorite landmark, designed by BDP Quadrangle for Resident
Located at 705 Kingston Road, just east of the Whites Road interchange and defying all odds, this 2.73-hectare site currently plays host to the Whites Road Shopping Centre. Here, you can experience the joy of an L-shaped plaza along with various commercial tenants, including an illustrious restaurant pad. Who wouldn’t want to dine with great access to surface parking and a delightful view of a highway? Talk about ambiance!
A sincere snapshot of the site, courtesy of Google Maps and a collective wish for better landscapes
The ambitious developer has submitted their plans to the City of Pickering, featuring five luminous towers (think 102.12m to 122.77m of pure awe). These behemoths will strut atop four-storey podiums, cutting a fine figure as they provide a visual feast for anyone and everyone who dared to linger at a stoplight on Kingston Road. The shortest tower will cozy up at the northwest corner, while the other three will soak in the glamor of Highway 401’s traffic.
In total, get ready for the addition of 1,748 residential units. Because who needs elbow room anyway? With a Gross Floor Area of 116,199m² and retail space of 3,922m², we’re looking at a Floor Space Index of 5.0. Yes, that’s correct—5.0! That’s more density than a small country!
A site plan that’ll have you scratching your head, designed by BDP Quadrangle for Resident
But wait, there’s more! Indoor spaces will total 3,149m², and outdoor spaces will grace us with 6,648m² on the rooftops, because why not literally look down on the common folk for your leisure activities? And it gets even more thrilling with three Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces. That’s 815m² of public space that’s secretly owned—such an intriguing concept! Don’t forget about the 2,193m² public park anchoring the northeast corner, because every high-rise needs a place to breathe… and take selfies.
Phased Construction: Brace for Impact!
This magnificent project will be delivered in two phases, naturally: first the buildings fronting Kingston Road, and then… well, we’re not sure what comes next. Maybe a parade? Existing easements will be adjusted, because who needs things like “consistency” and “convenience” anyway?
A gargantuan ground floor plan, designed by BDP Quadrangle for Resident, which may or may not lead you to your next existential crisis
As for parking, despair not! There will be two levels of underground parking, with 1,138 spaces for residents and an additional 350 for visitors. Yes, that’s right: just enough to make your guest feel awkward about asking where they can park. Bicycle enthusiasts can rejoice with 880 long-term and 176 short-term spots, because clearly, biking is the new luxe transportation choice.
The 28-storey tower promises three elevators, because we all know how vital it is to get from the lobby to your high-rise apartment in record time. Meanwhile, our luxurious high-speed elevators would make everyone feel like they’re part of a sci-fi movie—without the fun plot twists.
Connecting the Dots (or Potholes)
Public transit? Check. Just a brisk 3-minute walk to Durham Region Transit bus stops. And if you’re feeling ambitious, the Pickering GO station is only a 15-minute bus ride away. For those who fancy cycling, the dreams of bike lanes on Kingston Road are apparently coming to fruition—though we can’t wait to see how many of them actually get built.
An aerial view that will inspire all sorts of ambitions, courtesy of a submission to the City of Pickering
Finally, as if the surrounding landscape couldn’t become any more thrilling, several nearby large-scale proposals will make this area feel like a bustling metropolis/mysterious jungle. From dual 17-storey towers to 14 towers varying from 17 to 35 storeys, it’s basically an architect’s playground around here. If you squint hard enough, you might even imagine yourself walking through a carnival of high-density housing bliss.
UrbanToronto will be gliding through the progress of this ambitious development as it unfolds, and you, dear reader, can fan the excitement by diving into related discussions. Who knows? It may become an exclusive invite to the tallest block party you never knew you needed.
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So, if you’re curious about the more mundane aspects of these development projects, join the ruckus at UTPro, your one-stop shop for all things related to the drama of housing—as thrilling as binge-watching your favorite soap opera, but with more urban planning jargon!
