The Ontario government has launched a process to identify a building partner for the transit-oriented community (TOC) to be developed at the Ontario Line’s Queen-Spadina station in Toronto.

The TOC will result in about 214 new housing units and 60 new jobs, leveraging private investments to offset the costs of station construction.

“Our government is protecting Ontario by creating more housing and jobs closer to transit stations,” said Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma. “We’re partnering with the private sector to build two mixed-use residential buildings at one of Toronto’s most iconic intersections while preserving the area’s heritage landscape and vibrant history.”

The proposed 14- and 15-storey mixed-use residential towers will connect to the underground subway station on the Ontario Line and TTC streetcar service. The design will incorporate the architectural features of the existing building with the new transit hub, housing, office and retail space.

The province is planning proposed TOCs at 12 future subway stations along the Ontario Line, Yonge North Subway Extension and Scarborough Subway Extension.

It is expected that these TOCs will create space for 56,000 new residential units, including affordable housing, as well as office and retail space to support approximately 75,000 new jobs.

"The Ontario Line isn’t just about shortening people’s commute times – it’s about building complete communities,” said Metrolinx interim president Michael Lindsay. “This planned development at a bustling downtown intersection will put more housing, jobs and retail space within easy reach of fast, reliable transit. A new subway station at Queen and Spadina will also make it easier for people across the city to access more than 42,000 jobs in the area."

Infrastructure Ontario, which will manage the procurement process, uses a broker-led open market process to competitively solicit bids. Bidders will have until July 22 to submit their expressions of interest.