Hillcrest Mall Owners Seek Approval to Split Yonge Street Property
Staff Report
The owners of Hillcrest Mall have applied to the City of Richmond Hill for permission to divide a large parcel of land tied to the shopping centre property.
According to a notice for an upcoming Committee of Adjustment hearing, the application concerns lands at 9350 Yonge Street. The owner, Hillcrest Holdings Inc., is seeking provisional consent to sever the property into two separate parcels.
The proposal would create one smaller parcel of approximately 7,970 square metres and retain a significantly larger parcel of about 176,240 square metres. Both would become independent legal properties if approved.
City documents indicate the change is limited to land division at this stage, with no specific development proposal formally before the committee. However, the accompanying map outlines a broader area that appears to anticipate future internal streets and blocks, suggesting the possibility of longer-term planning for the site.
The application will be considered at a public hearing scheduled for April 23, 2026, at Richmond Hill’s Council Chambers.
The property is part of a major commercial corridor along Yonge Street and includes one of the city’s longstanding retail centres. In recent years, large-format retail spaces across Canada have undergone shifts driven by changing consumer habits and evolving land use priorities. At Hillcrest Mall, the closure of Hudson’s Bay last year marked a notable change within the mall’s tenant mix.
While no direct connection has been outlined between that closure and the current application, such adjustments often occur alongside broader transitions in how major retail properties are used and planned.
Residents may attend the hearing or submit comments to the City as part of the review process.