Six-tower transit-oriented community proposed for Markham’s Mount Joy GO Station
By Gene Pereira, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
A major transformation is on the horizon for northeast Markham.
Infrastructure Ontario has unveiled plans for the proposed Mount Joy Transit-Oriented Community (TOC), a landmark mixed-use development set to reshape the Metrolinx-owned lands surrounding the Mount Joy GO Station.
Designed by global design and engineering firm Arup, the ambitious proposal aims to convert a sprawling commuter surface parking lot at the southeast corner of Markham Road and Bur Oak Avenue into a compact, walkable, and vibrant transit-first district.
The proposed Mount Joy TOC is a cornerstone of the Province of Ontario’s broader transit strategy. Rather than continuing the trend of low-density urban sprawl, the project aims to concentrate growth directly around major transit hubs, aligning with the municipal planning best practice of building within a 10-minute walk (500 to 800 meters) of transit stations.
The development envisions six mixed-use towers rising between 28 and 38 storeys (reaching heights up to 114 meters). These high-density structures will sit atop six-to-eight-storey podiums, featuring selected 12-to-14-storey mid-rise elements.
Key highlights of the proposal include approximately 2,088 to 2,090 new residential units ranging from studios to three-bedroom-plus suites. This will expand local housing choices significantly. The ground-floor retail and flexible office spaces will total about 3,889 square metres, which could support some 100 retail and office jobs.
Also part of the development will be a centrally located public park and integrated, pedestrian-friendly open spaces to connect residents with nearby Mount Joy Park and its multi-use trail network. The community will have direct connectivity to the Stouffville GO Line, local York Region Transit (YRT), and TTC bus services.
“The Transit Oriented Community (TOC) Program aims to build vibrant, mixed-use communities that integrate new housing, jobs, retail, and public amenities with transit,” said Ian McConachie, Manager of Media Relations & Communications at Infrastructure Ontario. “This would make transit more viable and attractive for residents, which would reduce congestion as part of a wider transformation of the area.”
The 5.2-hectare Metrolinx-owned site is split into three primary development blocks, allowing for flexible, phased construction.
Block A will be approximately 1.73 hectares in size and will be located at the southeast quadrant of Markham Rd. and Bur Oak Ave. It will be divided into four smaller areas to accommodate mixed-use towers, private servicing laneways, and a centrally located park.
Block B will be approximately 0.56 hectares and will be located south of the Block A. It will offer additional mixed-use and residential density.
Block C will be approximately 0.97 hectares and will be reserved for development or station-related uses to help preserve long-term operational flexibility for Metrolink.
To help accommodate the new grid, the plan introduces 0.78 hectares of new public rights-of-way, including a new east-west street (Mount Joy Street) and an extension of Anderson Avenue running north-south through the site.
To address concerns from local commuters about the elimination of the existing surface parking, the project proposes a “one-for-one” replacement of the existing 838 commuter parking spaces, which will be moved into a secure, dedicated underground parking structure featuring direct elevator and entrance access to the GO station platforms.
The development is a collaborative, multi-step process. Between October 2025 and March 2026, Infrastructure Ontario, the City of Markham, and Arup held frequent discussions regarding planning approvals, enabling works, and phasing.
While Arup’s evaluations suggest that the TOC will not materially affect traffic conditions beyond the immediate study limits, the City of Markham has requested a broader network evaluation. Arup intends to address these and other municipal comments during the upcoming Step 4 resubmission phase.
As this large-scale project progresses, community feedback remains vital to shaping the final design. Several virtual and in-person public engagement sessions were hosted by the province in June 2026 to gather local input on what Markham residents want to see in the new hub.
“Community engagement is an important part of the process and will help inform the province and city about what the public would like to see within their community,” added McConachie. “Following the virtual and in-person public engagements in June 2026, we look forward to presenting the updated development proposal for the Mount Joy GO TOC to the community in the future.”
For more detailed project documents or to stay updated on future public meetings, residents are encouraged to visit the official Mount Joy GO – Transit-Oriented Community page.
Photo: The proposed Mount Joy TOC is a cornerstone of the Province of Ontario’s broader transit strategy. (City of Markham image)