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Phase 1, at the southeast corner of the property at McCowan and Highway 7, proposes five mixed-use residential buildings ranging from 30 to 39 storeys and a total of 1,881 units
Scarlett Liu, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
Jan 24, 2026 5:00 PM
The multi-year plan for Markville Mall will eventually replace large sections of its parking lots with high-density residential towers, parks and public spaces.LJI photo/Scarlett Liu
Markham council has approved zoning for the first phase of Cadillac Fairview (CF)’s major redevelopment of the Markville Mall lands. The multi-year plan will eventually replace large sections of the mall’s parking lots with high-density residential towers, parks and public spaces.
The master plan divides the site into four phases. Phase 1, located at the southeast corner of the property near the McCowan Road and Highway 7 intersection, proposes five mixed-use residential buildings ranging from 30 to 39 storeys and a total of 1,881 units.
Phase 1A includes two towers with 700 units, while Phase 1B would add three more towers and another 1,181 units. CF must demonstrate sufficient transportation and utility capacity before Phase 1B can proceed.
Council approved the zoning in a 10-2 vote on Dec. 16, with Ward 3 Councillor Reid McAlpine and Ward 4 Councillor Karen Rea opposed.
Over the past numerous meetings, residents repeatedly raised concerns related to:
- high density
- limited transit capacity
- impacts on seniors
- infrastructure constraints
- underestimated school needs.
However, none of these issues will be addressed in Phase 1 because no physical transportation or infrastructure improvements will occur at this stage.
Eric Chan, Markham’s senior manager of transportation, confirmed no road or intersection upgrades are required prior to the 700 units, although city data shows that the Highway 7 and McCowan intersection is operating at 99.4 per cent capacity.
“There is no infrastructure needed at all networks, including the busiest intersection at Highway 7 and McCowan,” Chan said, “No physical improvements, but there are improvements internal to the site, allowing people to make the turning movements.”
Chan said Phase 1 would add about 1.6 per cent to overall roadway capacity, and even “one second” of extra green time in one direction could produce meaningful benefits. Major interventions, such as widening McCowan Road, are expected only in later phases.
McAlpine challenged this assessment, arguing the development could bring up to 560 additional cars to the intersection and that improving signal time in one direction would only reduce it in another.
City staff maintains the increase is marginal, which it says is not going to affect the intersection. McAlpine disagrees, calling it “a subjective judgment as to what’s a significant impact and what isn’t.”
Phase 1 allows up to 0.8 parking spaces per unit, even though the secondary plan for the area aims to eventually bring that number down to 0.4. Critics say the higher parking allowance could bring more cars and add pressure to the intersection.
Mayor Frank Scarpitti acknowledged the area’s traffic challenges, but said he expects parking demand to decline “as more transit becomes available in the area.”
Chan reiterated that the 0.4 ratio is a long-term average for the broader district and will only be achievable once future transportation improvements are in place.
In other aspects, the Phase 1 plan includes no commitment to affordable housing. Meanwhile, CF has promised a 0.44-hectare public park block, two privately owned publicly accessible open spaces (the Gateway Mews and Markville Plaza), and additional open spaces and outdoor amenity space, including Grand Boulevard framing the main mall entrance.
Original:https://www.newmarkettoday.ca/local-news/highrise-towers-coming-to-markville-mall-site-as-council-greenlights-phase-1-11784555
