The development of Vaughan City Center could involve Smart Centres REIT, which is working on the Smart VMC project, which would create 20 million square feet of residential and commercial space on 100 acres.
Smart Centres is preparing to submit an application to the City of Vaughan for approval of the project. The development would take place in VMC South Block B4, which borders the Metro station to the east, Highway 7 to the south, New Park Place to the north, and Edgeley Boulevard to the west.
The project team showed off their ambitious plan at a November 30 presentation at the Vaughan Design Review Panel. VMC South Block B4 currently houses
Smart Centres' headquarters, surrounded by surface parking. Danish architectural firm 3XN proposes to transform the space into a new complex, which will feature three 20-story buildings, as well as 16-, 15-, 12-, and 8-story buildings around Central Avenue. The two blocks were presented as "landmark office buildings," one of which could well become an architectural icon of the area. A stepped 20-story building will be built near the subway station. It is planned to be built as the first of seven buildings in the complex.
"This site is in the center of Vaughan, and we recognize that the complex that will be built here needs to not only serve the necessary functions, but also to look spectacular. To achieve this, we have attracted renowned architects," said Paula Bustard, executive vice president of development for SmartCentres.
You can see that the density and height of the development in this project are indeed inferior to the surrounding complexes: the project team places an emphasis on open space and airiness of the architectural ensemble.
Ashton Stair of 3XN said that when developing the project, the architects focused on ensuring convenient transportation, sufficient number of pedestrian crossings and the presence of comfortable public space. Steir noted that the buildings are designed to allow sunlight to enter the courtyard and park on the north side of the site.