The Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH) property at 175 Brentcliffe Rd., north of Glenvale, has been compared to the phoenix, the immortal bird of Greek legends that cyclically regenerates, or is otherwise born again. Formerly the home of Dr. Bell’s pioneering publicly-funded addiction treatment facility, the centre was renovated and transformed in 2016 to become EHN Bellwood Toronto, a private mental health and addictions treatment centre; now nine years later, the property is looking at another critical life phase.
CAMH is well along in their journey. The organization plans to sell the 175 Brentcliffe property by the end of the calendar year. The property was posted in April; CAMH has confirmed that the posting has closed, and the responses to the call for bids are being evaluated. The sale prospectus for “residential or institutional uses” of the lands, totaling 8.32 acres, includes the east portion (2.52 acres), comprising the building currently leased to EHN Bellwood Toronto, and the undeveloped west portion (5.8 acres). The lessee has two five-year renewal options at predetermined rates.
Sale of the property is subject to Ministry of Health approval, with the understanding that the proceeds of the sale will be directed to the redevelopment of the Temerty Discovery Centre. The state-of-the-art research and training facility, currently under construction and due to open in late 2027, will consolidate CAMH’s research programs under one roof on Queen Street West.
The sale “for residential or institutional uses” potentially has major implications for existing institutions in the Bayview Kilgour Institutional lands, as well as for North Leaside. I understand that there were a number of bids for the property, but the identity of the bidders and their land use intentions remain confidential. I feel that the best outcome for the community would be a continuation of a treatment facility. Failing that, a new long-term care or retirement residence would be a welcome addition to the area, well-aligned with the needs of the community. Of course, there is also the potential for residential redevelopment, though there would be Official Plan and zoning barriers to overcome, as well as conservation authority conditions regarding “long-term stable top-of-slope.”
Watch for an update on this when more information is available. CAMH has promised to keep us informed.
I also understand that Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is planning to build a new Sunnybrook Critical Care Centre on their existing Bayview campus and has expressed interest in engaging neighbours about their plans. We’ll keep you posted on this, too.
