Minto Group’s Westshore townhome community is aimed at the “missing middle” of young families and mature buyers who wish to stay in Etobicoke's Long Branch area, but also have proximity to downtown Toronto.

Vince Santino, the vice-president of development at Minto, told RENX Homes the Westshore development continues the company's interest in Long Branch, as seen through its completed townhome communities Southshore and Longbranch.

Planned to host 509 townhomes, Santino said Westshore will offer diverse products that break from what has been previously offered in the area – and at competitive prices.

“You’re seeing a lot of typical condo units being released. The response here has been great because we're getting investors and end-user responses as well, simply because they are townhomes. They’re smaller ones in terms of our urban townhomes, which are stacked townhome style . . . By virtue of the fact there isn’t a typical high-rise building, we are seeing a lot more interest because of that.”

About Westshore

Westshore is to be sited on approximately 10 acres of land at 3600 Lake Shore Blvd. W. Almost 11,000 square feet of retail at grade is also planned.

Twelve of its 16 blocks will be occupied by three-storey townhomes under condominium and freehold ownership, featuring condo amenities such as an underground garage and elevators.

Units will range from one to three bedrooms, varying from one-storey units with balconies, two-storey upper units with rooftop patios and two-storey ground units with garden patios.

The units are expected to range from just under 500 square feet to over 1,200 square feet.

Santino said prices will start at approximately $530,000 up to over $1 million.

The first phase will roll out multi-unit townhomes, the second phase will focus on stacked townhomes and the third will revolve around conventional townhomes, according to Santino.

He listed “cosmopolitan families” that like to go to Toronto, middle-aged buyers who want to stay in the Lakeshore area to enjoy its conveniences, and urban singles and couples who are attracted to its pricing as the main demographics who've taken an interest in Westshore.

“It’s an area that’s gentrifying. A lot of people who grew up in Lakeshore want to stay in Lakeshore or in Etobicoke and Long Branch . . . You’re starting to see a lot of retail activity in and along Lakeshore West and in that area.”

He also highlighted access to local schools and its proximity to Bloor West Village and downtown Toronto as assets.

Public transit options will help facilitate the ease of travel into Toronto via the Long Branch GO station and the 501 TTC streetcar line.

Minto is currently finalizing approvals for the community and is ready to start servicing the first phase. The Ottawa-based developer and manager hopes to start construction in early 2025 and have occupants moving in toward the end of 2026 and into 2027.

Sales will launch this week.

Highlighting its architecture

Minto has taken pride in Westshore’s architecture courtesy of BDP Quadrangle, which incorporates condo design principles into the townhomes.

In a release, Richard Witt, a principal at BDP Quadrangle, said the units are based on a shared grid size which allows for versatility in unit combinations.

Santino said the architecture can offer two-storey back townhomes and a townhome flat in the same block or building, which appeals to many people.

“It provides another option of housing out there for people,” Santino said, as the smaller townhomes in the range of two- to three-bedrooms resonates with people who do not envision living in a 20-storey concrete tower and want their housing to be at grade, in an area with landscaping and at their price range.

Westshore will target Energy Star efficiency standards for multifamily high-rises and new homes, and is to exceed the Ontario Building Code energy efficiency standard by a minimum of 15 per cent.

Minto anticipates including high-performance envelopes, in-suite metering, LED lighting, lighting motion sensors in common areas and water-efficient plumbing fixtures and toilets.

Minto’s other areas of interest

Minto is pursuing a number of other housing developments in the Greater Toronto Area and in Long Branch, with communities in Markham, East Gwillimbury, Oshawa, Clarington, Whitby and Oakville.

Its Heights of Harmony community in Oshawa went to market a few weeks ago, and Santino said Minto has “upcoming surprises” in Markham, such as Park and Main, which is being brought to market in 2024.

Minto, which has presence in the U.S., has recently made a foray into Texas. Santino said Texas is a “great market” which is pre-disposed to the success Minto has seen in Florida and the Carolinas.

Editor's note: The community Minto is bringing to Markham is Park and Main, not Unionville as previously reported.