Last Updated - June 13, 2025
This week, the Toronto Lands Corporation (TLC) initiated the first step for the design of a future school at 50 Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ Lane in North York. The project aims to construct a state-of-the-art elementary school in an emerging high-density neighbourhood while exploring broader city-building initiatives, including the provision of affordable housing and childcare, to strengthen the surrounding community.
On Tuesday, the TLC team was joined on site by staff from the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and representatives from the architecture and design firms Hawkins\Brown and gh3. These firms were awarded the project contract following a recent Request for Proposals. They will collaborate with TLC over the summer to develop two design concepts, which will be followed by a more detailed schematic design.
TLC views this project as an opportunity to set new benchmarks for urban format podium elementary schools, integrating housing in a way that complements and supports student learning. This will be the first TDSB led design for an integrated podium school on school property, putting the needs of students at the forefront of the design efforts. The precedent will inform future projects across Toronto.
Recently, Ethennonnhawahstihnen’ was included in the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) presented to Toronto City Council. If adopted by the TDSB in the fall, the MOU would commit to establishing 20% of all residential units built across eight TDSB properties as affordable rental units. In return, the TDSB would receive a reduction in development-related fees and charges, making the development of these sites more economically feasible. With a City community center, library, and park adjacent to the school site, TLC also sees opportunities to engage with the City to design this school to compliment these facilities and create additional benefits for the neighbourhood.
TLC aims to present a business case for this site to the Ministry of Education by the end of 2025 and looks forward to sharing the results of the design process with the community once completed.