Site of brand new Sobeys and Longo’s is 1061 The Queensway.
A new grocery store and shopping centre have been given the green light to be constructed on The Queensway.
A proposal to build a huge new Sobeys and Longo’s grocery stores and shopping centre with other stores is closer to becoming a reality at 1061 The Queensway, just east of Islington Ave.
Sobeys own a major stake in Longo’s and the stores will be massive and side by side.
“The entire centre will have a combined 5,126.77 square metres (in size), 180 vehicle parking spaces with seven accessibility spaces and 23 bicycle stalls are proposed to service the development,” according to the proposal.
Sobeys, Longo’s will be facing The Queensway with two towers at the rear.
The plan was approved after revisions by the Committee of Adjustment, Etobicoke York District, on November 9, and is expected to proceed.
Sobeys already has a store at the Kipling Queensway Mall, but that is expected to close as a large chunk of the property will be used for condo towers and a highway interchange to the Gardiner Expressway.
“The proposal is to redevelop the lands for a shopping centre, anchored by a Longo’s grocery store,” according to the proposal.
It said vehicle access is provided to the west of the site along Caven Street and on the east of the site along St. Lawrence Avenue. Both streets are located off The Queensway.
A proposal to build these two towers with almost 1,000 units is in the works.
“Both entrances to the subject lands provide access to the parking spaces as well as providing for an adequate fire route,” the grocer said.
The company was seeking to have the property rezoned to mixed use lands.
“Mixed use areas will create a high-quality commercial space that meets the needs of the local community while creating and providing new jobs for a growing population on an underutilized site,” the committee heard.
Lawyers for Sobeys argued that there is much access to public transit and the development will increase walking and cycling and reduce the need for vehicles.
The proposal they wrote will make ‘more efficient use of this underutilized site and serve the needs of the surrounding community.’
The new grocery stores will make provide residents with more of a choice of goods.
Another major development by another company is proposed for the rear of the grocery stores site.
A 22 and 27-storey towers are also planned for the rear of 1061 The Queensway that will be parallel to the Gardiner and contain almost 1,000 units.
Parkland would be tucked between the two buildings and fronting a Caven Street extension.
That proposal is proceeding before city officials.