Metrolinx has announced that it has selected a partner to redevelop land in downtown Toronto for the future home of the Spadina–Front GO Station.

Dream Kilmer, which is a partnership of Dream Unlimited Corp. and Kilmer Group was selected as the successful proponent and Metrolinx’s development partner on the project.

The group has extensive experience in mixed use and infrastructure development.

The site for the future GO station is located at the southwest corner of Front Street West and Spadina Avenue. The aim of the development is to transform the 1.01-acre site into a new mixed-use development that will connect the station to a high-density mixed-use development.

The site currently serves as the North Bathurst Yard, a train layover facility where GO Trains are stored during non-peak periods.

With the massive multi-billion-dollar investment in GO Expansion underway to transform GO rail service across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, an opportunity was presented to better utilize the North Bathurst Yard lands.

Above the station is where Metrolinx is exploring a new approach to optimize land use to create a vibrant, sustainable, mixed-use community that will bring more housing and jobs within walking distance of transit. 

The proposal by Dream Kilmer integrates the at-grade GO station within a new mixed-use development, with station entrances connecting onto Front Street West and Spadina Avenue.

Given the complexities of building on a tight parcel of land on an active rail corridor, Metrolinx issued a two stage Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals to seek the expertise of industry through an open competition.

Dream Kilmer will work with Metrolinx and ONxpress (the successful GO Expansion proponent) throughout the two-year GO Expansion development phase to ensure the scope, design and construction schedule are seamlessly integrated.

Dream Kilmer has entered into a partnership agreement with Metrolinx and will work with the City of Toronto through the established municipal planning approvals process and other necessary due diligence.