Photos: James Bombales
Beech House Condos is a six-storey condominium located at 353 Beech Avenue in Toronto’s coveted Upper Beaches neighbourhood. The development by Mitchell Loft consists of a modern mid-rise structure with 95 suites and onsite amenities, including a brand new YMCA facing Kingston Road.
The project has been under construction since 2015 when the former Kingston Road YMCA was demolished. Excavation and shoring work wrapped up in 2016, followed by the installation of a crane in 2017. The following years saw construction progress slowly, but the project eventually topped off in the summer of 2019. Residents finally began to move in last summer, however a recent visit to the site showed crews are still putting the finishing touches on various parts of the building.
The largest section that remains under construction is the 60,000-square-foot YMCA that will be incorporated into the building’s ground level on the south side of Kingston Road. The Steve and Sally Stavro Family YMCA replaces the much smaller Kingston Road YMCA which served the neighbourhood for decades. Originally scheduled to be completed in 2020, the opening date has been delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We are anxious to open our doors, but the second wave of COVID-19 has unfortunately caused further delays,” reads the Stavro Family YMCA website. “We want you to enjoy the many benefits of having a Y in your community and we are working hard to make this a reality for you. At this time, it is not clear by how much the second wave will delay your centre opening, but we will continue to provide you with the latest information and updates as the situation develops.”
When it does open, the centre will house a conditioning/weight room, fitness studios and a full-size gymnasium/community space. Residents of the community will also have access to two swimming pools, including a fully accessible 25-metre lap pool, and a fitness and therapeutic pool.
