RioCan REIT is proposing to reimagine the Colossus Centre, located at Highway 7 and Weston Road in the City of Vaughan. At 24 hectares, the site is currently an auto-oriented shopping centre adjacent to transit that serves as a retail and entertainment hub in the City. The master plan is intended to establish a long-term development framework that emphasizes open space and public realm, street network and built form massing. 

With a focus on creating a complete community, the plan proposes a vibrant, transit-oriented mixed use centre that will continue to support the site’s retail and entertainment role. The master plan will deliver 10M square feet of mixed use space including approximately 13,000 residential units, all supported by approximately 12 acres of open space and a new street network that will promote active transportation as the mode of choice for residents and visitors. 

As the planning and urban design lead on the project, Urban Strategies provided analysis for the proposed master plan, and worked closely with a multi-disciplinary team of consultants to coordinate an Official Plan Amendment application submitted in February 2022. In addition to this work, Urban Strategies led a collaborative planning process with two neighbouring landowners, resulting in a coordinated vision for a major development quadrant in the Weston 7 area. Urban Strategies is currently assisting with the ongoing planning approvals for this innovative city-building project. 

 Rendering by Hariri Pontarini Architects

RioCan Colossus Master Plan

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