50-storey tower proposal has Liberty Village residents ‘exhausted’

A 50-storey mixed-used tower is being proposed in the west side of Liberty Village, and local residents say they are concerned about how the building will impact the neighbourhood.

Most of the existing buildings in the area are low- to mid-rise buildings, meaning a proposed development like this 50-storey tower at 58 Atlantic Ave. could loom over the rest of the neighbourhood.

Though there is not a construction start date yet, the development would have retail space on the ground level, residential units above and two levels dedicated to community space. The building is expected to have a gross floor area of about 47,335 square metres.

In total, 514 residential units are proposed, including 30 affordable rental units and 20 rental replacement units, according to a planning rationale from developers 2-8 St. Thomas Street LP c/o BGO.

Robert Howley, director of the Liberty Village Residents’ Association, said the organization has heard complaints from locals about the possible development.