UrbanToronto

Sustainability Month: ReHousing — A Multiplex How-To Guide Explores What’s Possible in the Yellowbelt

Sebastian Lopez Cardozo — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:30:13 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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In today's Toronto, clusters of post-war apartment towers loom over single-family homes, walk-ups are camouflaged amid Old Toronto houses, and residential neighbourhoods stagnate or shrink as the population booms. These incongruencies speak of short-lived attempts to distribute growth more evenly across the city’s vast residential areas.

Until recently, growth had nowhere to go but up and out, putting pressure on the apartment-friendly areas that have served new immigrants and the working poor for decades. The result of this uneven and unequal allocation of supply is seen most starkly in images like the one below at Yonge and Eglinton.

A densely built up cluster of high-rises surrounded by low-rise residential areas, Yonge and Eglinton epitomizes Toronto’s uneven growth and density. Image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor NorthshoreCity.

If the previous zoning regime is responsible for Toronto's irregular growth and density, perhaps updated zoning can provide a corrective. That was the hope of Toronto’s City Council last year when it voted in favour of Official Plan and Zoning by-law amendments to allow multiplex housing citywide, which effectively ended single-family zoning. Informed by studies spearheaded by City of Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON), the new rules aim to make it easier to create a gentle density boost across the vast residential areas of the city. ReHousing, a research initiative that contributed key design research to the EHON study, offers an evolving how-to guide that explores what’s now possible in the ‘Yellowbelt.’

Timeline showing common ‘Yellowbelt’ housing types through the years. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

“It’s not enough to change the rules of what you can build,” ReHousing co-director Michael Piper told UrbanToronto. “In California, garden suites have been allowed for about 10 years,” said Piper, “however, research suggests that it was only after tools to help people were developed that they began to see a lot of uptake.” This is what prompted the group to create their own free set of tools and guides for Toronto. Conceived in collaboration among the University of Toronto, Tuf Lab, and LGA Architectural Partners, ReHousing aims to provide current and prospective landowners with the knowledge needed to convert single-family homes into multi-unit housing — or from 1 to up to 5 units. The comprehensive website, which earned the group the 2023 CMHC President’s Medal for Outstanding Housing Research, takes users through a step-by-step process that shows what’s feasible and considers key rules and constraints, budget, and more.

The ReHousing website provides an easy-to-navigate guide to what’s now possible in the ‘Yellowbelt.’ Image courtesy of ReHousing.

At the heart of ReHousing’s how-to website is a catalogue of 13 housing types organized according to location and age, each with over four paths for transformation that range from minor renovations to new builds (divided into low, medium, high, and new depending on cost, complexity, and number of units added). Three-dimensional drawings and floor plans, real-estate listings, and a map locating a sample house make it easy for current or prospective owners to identify their house type.

ReHousing’s design catalogue is made up of the 13 most common house designs in Toronto, offering four different transformation options for each. Image Courtesy of ReHousing.

Navigating through each of the house types in the catalogue shows that the solutions offered can be quite different. The Postwar Bungalow and the Metroburb Wide, two house types on roughly similar-sized lots (12x38m and 13x33m respectively) usually found around Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York, are a case in point. The Postwar Bungalow, the website explains to the user, is a single-storey house with finished basement that typically features a detached garage with a side entrance. It often sits small on its lot and is aligned to one side to allow for parking access. The Metroburb Wide, a two-storey “snout” house with a protruding two-car garage and an unfinished basement, commonly occupies a higher percentage of the lot—and takes up its full width.

Real estate listings for the Postwar Bungalow, one of the 13 house types in ReHousing’s design catalogue. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

The Postwar Bungalow and Metroburb Wide house types lead to solutions of varying cost and complexity, each accompanied by prototype plans and three-dimensional drawings, which ultimately arrive at 5 units with anywhere from 10 to 15 beds. But the key difference is in the quality and type of units that each site can produce. While for the most part, the transformations to the Metroburb Wide are confined to its existing building footprint, the characteristics of the Postwar Bungalow mean that it can grow beyond it—typically in the form of a garden suite and a side addition.

“Medium” transformation option for the Metroburb Wide, with garage conversion. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

An example of the “high” transformation option for the Postwar Bungalow, with a new side addition and garden suite. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

ReHousing’s guide goes into a high-degree of granularity for each of the four types of transformations. The Postwar Bungalow's first option (“low”) works within the building's existing footprint to create two generous 3-bedroom units: To make the basement transformation possible, it converts the existing side door and stair into a private entry and introduces light wells. In addition to bringing light into the basement, ReHousing’s prototypical solution explains, the new light wells ensure the code requirement for a second means of egress is satisfied.

Prototypical plans, axonometric drawings, and stats for the existing and “low” transformation option for the Postwar Bungalow. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

The second option (“medium”) builds on the previous transformation and increases the unit count to four. Within the bungalow’s footprint, the basement alteration is maintained and the ground floor is split into two new units through the addition of a rear entrance. The generous proportions of the lot, ReHousing’s prototypical plans note, allow for a two-storey garden suite with firefighting access. The third option (“high”) combines all previous transformations and adds a fifth unit. A 2.8m wide side addition to the bungalow and two new sunken courtyards provide the space and access points needed to split the basement into two units. The final option (“new”), not shown here, contemplates a full rebuild in the form of a walk-up or stacked townhouses.

Prototypical plans, axonometric drawings, and stats for the “medium” and “high” transformation options for the Postwar Bungalow. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

“The goal [of the ReHousing initiative] is to empower groups that are not commonly part of the larger development community,” Piper told UrbanToronto, “whether that’s a small nonprofit housing provider or multiple generations of a family looking to live together.” ReHousing’s future work includes further improvements to how it delivers its guides and tools, and expanding its scope beyond Toronto. As more mayors look to gentle density increases to alleviate the housing crisis, ReHousing is gearing up to provide them with the necessary tools: “The next step is to work toward a more dynamic platform that can serve municipalities across Canada,” Piper said. “We’re reaching out to other municipalities [...] it’s a national-scale issue.”

Those interested in more information on ReHousing’s options for expanding housing can visit their website for all of the details.

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UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png?2[/img]

Mattamy's Soleil and Mile & Creek Condos in Milton’s Flourishing Landscape

Anthony Teles — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:00:32 -0400

Once known primarily for its sprawling farmlands and quiet, small-town charm, Milton is rapidly transforming into one of Canada’s fastest-growing towns. Cradled by the picturesque Niagara Escarpment, it is here on the west side of the Greater Toronto Area that Mattamy Homes is planting its roots deeper with Soleil Condos and Mile & Creek Condos, two projects now under construction that are each designed to complement Milton’s offerings and budding urban culture, with designs by KNYMH Inc. Furthering their support for development in the region, the developer is holding a Spring Savings Event this weekend at their Milton sales office.

Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Milton offers an exceptional setting for developments like Soleil Condos and Mile & Creek. Close to both sites, residents have access to the Milton Sports Centre and Lions Sports Park, offering a variety of recreational activities. The future Milton Education Village, being built with partners Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, and more, will combine advanced learning offerings in a state-of-the-art campus environment. Shopping and dining are just a short drive away at the Milton Mall Shopping Centre and along Main Street, where local eateries and boutiques provide a vibrant retail scene.

Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

For nature enthusiasts, the proximity to Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area and the expansive Kelso Conservation Area offers plenty of outdoor activities. The developments' accessibility is enhanced by major thoroughfares such as Highway 401 and 407, as well as the Milton GO station, facilitating easy commutes to and from the Greater Toronto Area.

Lobby, Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Soleil Condos

To the west, located at 480-490 Gordon Krantz Avenue near Tremaine Road, Soleil Condos consists of four buildings spread across two phases. Each phase contains two buildings rising six storeys and housing a total of approximately 250 units per phase, with the second phase currently under construction. Each building’s architectural style strikes a balance between modern sophistication and the natural environment, featuring a mix of brickwork and contemporary finishes that resonate with their surroundings.

In-suite kitchen and living room, Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Residents benefit from cutting-edge Smart Home technology, including digital door locks and in-suite security systems, all accessible via smartphone. There is a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a yoga studio for health and wellness enthusiasts, while a spacious social lounge with a full kitchen and dining area makes entertaining simple. The co-working lounge and dedicated work-from-home spaces are designed for optimal productivity, reflecting the needs of today's hybrid working environment.

Rooftop, Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Mile & Creek Condos

To the east at 720 and 740-770 Whitlock Avenue, Mile & Creek Condos showcases urban architecture within Milton’s natural environment. Situated in the Cobban neighbourhood on the east side of the city, this expansive development spans seven buildings organized into three phases. The architectural design by KNYMH Inc. includes five buildings reaching up to eight storeys. Collectively, these phases house a range of suites from cozy one-bedrooms to more expansive three-bedroom plus den options. The buildings feature a sophisticated mix of materials, such as wood, glass, and stone, meant to complement the picturesque backdrop of Milton’s landscape.

In-suite kitchen and living room, Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

The heart of this community is the Clubhouse Amenity Pavilion, which serves as a social and recreational hub with three floors of amenities. Here, residents can enjoy a fully equipped fitness centre, a media room for entertainment, and co-working spaces that cater to the needs of professionals. The social lounge and entertainment area offer perfect settings for community gatherings or private celebrations. Moreover, the expansive rooftop terrace with barbecuses, a dining area, and a fireside lounge offers views of the adjacent protected greenspaces.

Cliubhouse, Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

As one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities, Mattamy sees Milton as an ideal location for these projects. To celebrate these community developments, Mattamy Homes is running a Spring Savings Event taking place on April 27th and 28th at their sales office at 10180 Derry Road. Running both days from 11 AM to 6 PM, Mattamy will be offering prospective homeowners significant incentives.

Rooftop, Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

With Soleil and Mile & Creek, Mattamy Homes continues to set a benchmark for community development, merging modern living with the serene backdrop of Milton’s landscapes.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on these developments, but in the meantime, you can learn more about them from our Database files, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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Galleria on the Park Soon to Welcome First Residents of Masterplanned Community

Anthony Teles — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:56:34 -0400

Since 1972, the Galleria Shopping Centre has stood at the intersection of Dupont and Dufferin streets in Toronto’s Wallace-Emerson neighbourhood. Now, Almadev is transforming the site into a masterplanned, mixed-use community, Galleria on the Park. This ambitious endeavour is bringing together residential, commercial, and public spaces across eight distinct towers and their surroundings. As a highlight of neighbourhood intensification, Galleria on the Park is building a vibrant community of nearly 3,000 units, a sprawling eight-acre park, and a state-of-the-art community centre.

Looking north to Galleria on the Park, image courtesy of Almadev

The new Wallace Emerson Community Centre, spanning 90,000 ft² with a design by Perkins&Will, will be one of the largest community centres in Toronto. It is set to offer community engagement and wellness with diverse programming, including a childcare centre, playground, gym, and swimming pools. Full fitness facilities will also boast a dance studio, running track, and outdoor skating trail. The centre is already rapidly taking shape, and progress can be seen as it reaches two storeys above ground, with its unique shape and curvature alongside Galleria 01 and 02 beginning to emerge.

Wallace-Emerson Community Centre, image courtesy of Almadev

The centre will sit on the edge of the expansive Wallace Emerson Park, slated to be eight acres, which will form the heart of this community, offering a green sanctuary in the urban environment. It will feature three multi-functional spaces. First, the "Community Heart" will include a BMX and skateboard park, a sports court, and an ice-skating trail for year-round activity. The "Play Heart" offers a versatile green field and playful hill, inviting residents to gather, socialize, and engage in outdoor activities. Finally, the "Nature Heart" provides a tranquil setting with a treed canopy and meandering paths.

The community will also enjoy nearly 300,000 ft² dedicated to a diverse array of shops and services. From day-to-day conveniences to boutique and artisan experiences, the retail offerings are aiming for variety and vibrancy.

Kicking off Galleria on the Park’s extensive redevelopment are Galleria 01 and 02, 24- and 29-storey high-rise buildings designed by Core Architects, introducing a sleek, modern aesthetic to the west end of the site. Having launched in late 2019, the buildings are now gearing up to open their doors to the first residents. The preparation for occupancies is in full swing, targeting the end of May, 2024, with Pre-Delivery Inspections (PDIs) slated for early May, 2024, and first occupancies shortly after.

An aerial view looking south to construction on the Wallace-Emerson Community Centre, image by Almadev

Galleria 01 and 02 offer living spaces where natural light and design excellence are paramount. These residential towers have commanding views of the park to the south and the dynamic stretch of Dupont Street to the north, with studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. Each suite offers a sophisticated design, featuring contemporary countertops, sleek cabinetry, and built-in appliances alongside airy, open-concept kitchen and dining areas. Interiors are complemented by expansive terraces and balconies that invite the outside in.

In-suite kitchen, Galleria 01 & 02, image courtesy of Almadev

On the third floor, families will appreciate a spacious and creatively designed kids' playroom, complete with art niches and a variety of play structures to inspire young imaginations. For events and birthday celebrations, a kitchenette facilitates convenience and sociability. The building's twelfth floor offers a breadth of options for fitness enthusiasts, including an outdoor swimming pool framed by cabanas, and a state-of-the-art cardio zone, where residents can work out while enjoying views of the parkland below, complete with modern equipment, a yoga studio, and a sauna.

Fostering productivity, a co-working lounge provides a dynamic space enhanced by a calm colour palette and natural materials, reflecting the outdoor environment, while an outdoor terrace offers an intimate garden setting for social gatherings.

In-suite living room, Galleria 01 & 02, image courtesy of Almadev

While a handful of inventory Galleria 01 and 02 suites remain available, Almadev is announcing the release of new suites within Galleria III. That 31-storey second phase, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, is making tangible strides, with six of the podium’s seven storeys now complete. Its distinctive flatiron design is coming to life with the curvature of the podium already hinting at the distinctive shape that will characterize this new landmark.

Looking west to Galleria III, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for Almadev

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News Roundup for April 26, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Toronto unveils new sidewalk garbage bins, more than 1,000 to be installed across the city; this $6M ‘office mansion’ in the Annex is from the same designer as Casa Loma and Old City Hall; TTC says no subway service on part of Line 2 after fire; and other news.

Toronto unveils new sidewalk garbage bins, more than 1,000 to be installed across the city (CityNews)

This $6M ‘office mansion’ in the Annex is from the same designer as Casa Loma and Old City Hall (The Star)

TTC says no subway service on part of Line 2 after fire (CP24)

Brampton's new housing for women escaping violence is already full (CBC)

‘It’s going to take us all’: Mayor’s veto advances affordable housing plan in Stoney Creek (The Star)

Cherry St. bridge locked in upright position after it was damaged: PortsToronto (CityNews)

This $5-million sixplex can be bought empty, thanks to a loophole that’s let the units be rented on Airbnb (The Star)

Weekend need-to-know: Hot Docs and more Leafs playoff action (CityNews)

How It's Going

Craig White — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Following yesterday's Daily Photo of an early point in this building's restoration, a recent shot from an early point in the day highlights the restored walls of the Canada Malting Company Silos at Bathurst Quay. The glowing, mirror-glass, lakeside photo is by Bryan Bowen, the City of Toronto's manager of the restoration project, who is known around these parts as UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen. Work continues on the site as a park space is constructed to the south, OCAD University prepares to use some interior space as a new gallery, and other potential uses of parts of the historic structure are explored.

Early morning light on the restored Canada Malting Silos on Toronto Harbour, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen

Want to see your work featured as Daily Photo? You can post in the City Photos & Videos section of the UrbanToronto Forum, or submit your images to our UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page.

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GTA 2024 BILD Award Finalists Announced — and You Can Vote!

Anthony Teles — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:32:11 -0400

The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) is once again spotlighting the best of architectural and developmental innovation in the Greater Toronto Area with the announcement of the 2024 BILD Awards finalists. Established in 1980, these prestigious awards celebrate the exceptional achievements in design, construction, sales, and marketing of new homes across the region. With a focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, and community design, the list of finalists offers a compelling glimpse into the future of Toronto.

While there are more categories that you can check through on the official website, including Home Builder of the Year, Green Builder of the Year, Best Purpose-Built Rental, Best Community, and many more, we are highlighting three categories here: Project of the Year Mid-rise, Project of the Year High-rise, and the one where you are asked to vote, the People's Choice Award.

Finalists for Best Mid-Rise Building Design

55 Port East | Designed by Giannone Petricone Associates for FRAM + Slokker
Exhale Condominiums | Designed by Architecture Unfolded for Brixen Developments
Kingside Residences | Designed by Kohn Partnership Architects Inc. for Altree Developments
Lily at Crosstown | Designed by Core Architects for Aspen Ridge Homes
North Shore | Designed by Kirkor Architects Planners for National Homes

Finalists for Best High-Rise Building Design

Birchley Park | Designed by TACT Architecture for Diamond Kilmer Developments, CreateTO, Habitat for Humanity, and Evergreen
Elm – Ledbury | Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Turner Fleischer Architects for Fitzrovia Real Estate Inc.
Freed Hotel & Residences | Designed by AS + GG Architecture (with B+H Architects as Architect of Record) for Freed Developments
Park Road | Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for Capital Developments

Vote for the People's Choice Award

The BILD Awards invites you to have your say in the People's Choice Award for the best new community in the GTA from a list of ten finalists. You are encouraged to cast your vote by May 15, 2024, for a chance to not only shape the outcome but also win a $250 VISA pre-paid card.

People's Choice Award nominees, image by BILD

The Finalists:

The Campbell | Designed by Teeple Architects for TAS and BentallGreenOak
Daniels Mount Pleasant Village - MPV2 | Designed by Lemay and Kirkor Architects Planners for The Daniels Corporation
Elm – Ledbury | Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Turner Fleischer Architects for Fitzrovia Real Estate Inc.
FourFifty The Well | Designed by architects—Alliance for RioCan Living and Woodbourne Canada Management, Inc.
Freed Hotel & Residences | Designed by AS + GG Architecture (with B+H Architects as Architect of Record) for Freed Developments
Clarehaven | Geranium Corporation
The Heights of Harmony, Phase II | Designed by RN Design for Minto Communities GTA
Maple House at Canary Landing | Designed by COBE Architects and architects—Alliance for Dream Unlimited, Kilmer Group, and Tricon Residential
Park Road | Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for Capital Developments
West & Post Towns | Designed by Orchard Design Studio Inc for Branthaven Homes

Remember, the power to decide lies in your hands — click here to cast your vote!

The winners will be announced on the BILD Awards website on May 29, 2024, with award trophies handed out at the BILD Awards Gala on May 30, 2024.

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Brightwater Resubmission Proposes Increased Density and Height in Port Credit

Anthony Teles — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:52:18 -0400

Plans are being revised for Brightwater, a masterplanned community on a sprawling 72-acre site on the shores of Lake Ontario in Port Credit. Developed by Port Credit West Village Partners — a consortium including Kilmer Group, Dream Unlimited, Diamond Corp, FRAM + Slokker, and Slokker Real Estate Group — and designed by Giannone Petricone Associates, the latest resubmission to the City of Mississauga seeks to upzone its as yet undeveloped southernmost blocks to bring additional residential units.

Brightwater, Mississauga, designed by Giannone Petricone Architects for Port Credit West Village Partners

The former industrial site at 70 Mississauga Road South has been an active hub of construction since 2019, with phased development progressing from north to south. To date, about 725 residential units have been built, and significant site works and infrastructure development, including extensive remediation and road network construction, have been completed.

The development strategy emphasizes a mix of uses and housing types, with townhomes, mid-rise, and tall buildings. Already lining the main street along Lakeshore Road West are retail and mid-rise buildings.

Images of current construction at Brightwater, image from submission to City of Mississauga

In 2019, the Brightwater Master Plan, implemented via Amendment 97 to the Mississauga Official Plan, laid a comprehensive foundation for transforming the site into a mixed-use, transit-supportive community. It envisioned 2,995 residential units distributed across a variety of building types, from townhomes to high-rise towers reaching 29 storeys, with a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of approximately 417,500m². Public spaces were integral, with around 18 acres designated for parks and open spaces, amounting to 25% of the net site area.

A diagram of the blocks and storeys of the master-planned community, image from submission to City of Mississauga

A March, 2024 Official Plan Amendment application introduces modifications to Blocks P, Q, and U, aiming to optimize residential capacity, increasing the total number of units by 898 to 3,893. Block P would now feature a 35-storey tower, up from the previously approved 29 storeys, increasing Brightwater's skyline presence. Block Q would see a shift from townhomes to two high-rise towers at 15 and 29 storeys, supporting sustainable urban growth and maximizing the waterfront location.

A comparison of Blocks P, Q, and U from the original application (left) and resubmission (right), image from submission to City of Mississauga

Block U would see its maximum heights adjusted slightly. Its buildings, previously capped between 8 and 15 storeys, are now revised to span from 9 to 19 storeys, to better transition from the adjacent blocks to the waterfront park to the south.

Block U Demonstration Plan, 2019 (left) and current proposal (right), image from submission to City of Mississauga

The site is about 1.5km west of Port Credit GO station, which is accessible only by walking, biking, MiWay bus, or by car via the congested Lakeshore Road bridge over the Credit River, although an electric shuttle will be running as of sometime next month for Brightwater residents to get to and from the GO station. The City of Mississauga currently has no remedies insight for the substantial Lakeshore Road bridge congestion issue. The GO station, however, is set to expand with the Hurontario LRT, now under construction, running north to Square One and beyond to Brampton. The Lakeshore West GO line is due to receive significant upgrades in the future as part of the GO network expansion, including electrification and enhanced service of all day frequencies of 15 minutes or better.

Approved heights for Blocks P and Q, original submission (top) and current proposal (bottom), image from submission to City of Mississauga

The Brightwater development is part of a broader surge in urban revitalization sweeping through Port Credit along the waterfront. Directly to the north, The Shores of Port Credit, completed in 2022, features two 8-storey buildings. On the east side of the Credit River, avoiding the congestion on the Lakeshore Road bridge, and closer to the GO station, the Port Credit Marina Redevelopment is an ambitious master-planned project that encompasses 8 blocks and includes 9 buildings, with the tallest reaching 22 storeys. Meanwhile, 42-46 Park Street East and 70 Park Street East are proposed at 22 and 38 storeys, respectively, and 88 Park Street East is a proposed 42-storey tower directly adjacent to the GO station.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been corrected to indicated 18 acres of parks, not hectares, and now includes a reference to a shuttle to and from the GO station.

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Wyse Meter Solutions Encouraging Sustainability Through Submetering Technology

Anthony Teles — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:28:35 -0400

Sustainability remains an ongoing challenge and a guiding principle for many companies active in Toronto’s real estate scene. Wyse Meter Solutions is playing its part through submetering technology for utility management. Submetering involves the installation of smart meters that connect directly to the utility lines within a building’s service rooms or individual suites. These meters measure individual consumption in each suite, enabling precise billing based on actual usage rather than estimations.

Wyse Meter Solutions, founded in 2006, carved its niche in the Canadian utility industry by offering an enhanced submetering experience to building developers, owners, managers, and residents. Recognizing early on the need to integrate advanced technology into its operations, Wyse has transformed its market position to become a leader in the industry. UrbanToronto recently spoke with Peter Mills, their CEO, to dive deeper into how this technology plays an important role in sustainable, mixed-income urban communities.

Licensed and regulated by the Ontario Energy Board, Wyse advocates for what the company refers to as a “triple-bottom-line” approach — balancing environmental, social, and financial responsibilities. As Mills tells UrbanToronto, “Wyse has designed its program to ensure it fits needs from market rentals to affordable housing units.”

Ontario requires new multi-residential buildings to submeter for electricity, with Wyse providing an all-in-one service for utilities. Beyond that, it also promotes mixed-income housing, designed to be inclusive, featuring market-rate, affordable, and subsidized housing. Submetering ensures that residents are only billed for the utilities they consume, which is especially beneficial in settings with more pronounced financial disparities.

Looking southeast to The Well's rental buildings part of Wyse's portfolio, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AHK

Mills highlights the evolution of submetering, "Initially about putting the burden of the cost of utilities into the users' hands, it has evolved substantially. We are now using the data to help support our clients and building owners, and helping them take their buildings to the next level in terms of efficiency." This is illustrated through their work at The Well, one of the most talked about mixed-use developments in Toronto, with 1,700 residential units across six buildings. “There are about 1,000 suites that are rental-occupied,” Mills says, “and residents are thrilled to have access to that data.”

Through their work at The Well, Wyse is looking at “the gamification of data,” as Mills puts it. This data can give residents a better understanding of their greenhouse gas emissions impact and encourage them to potentially change their behaviour. Going further, building owners will be able to compare buildings in their portfolio, giving an overview of how developments rank in different neighbourhoods in terms of sustainability.

Looking east to The Well from street level, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor karledice

At The Well, Wyse’s submetering is complemented by the Enwave Deep Lake Water Cooling system which uses cold water piped from far below the surface of Lake Ontario to provide cooling throughout the complex in the summer. In the winter, the system uses warm water stored in the earth beneath the complex to heat it. Wyse integrates submetering solutions with technologies like this, supporting and advancing Toronto's green building standards.

The integration of AI and extensive data analytics allows for deep insights into energy usage patterns. "With about 8 billion rows of energy data in our cloud system, we're looking beyond billing to see how this information can help building owners enhance operational efficiencies and sustainability," Mills shares. This data-driven strategy enables real-time adjustments to building operations, optimizing energy consumption and significantly reducing waste.

The Well concourse and canopy, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

Looking to the future, Mills is optimistic about the role of submetering in achieving broader sustainability goals. "The next five years will focus heavily on data-driven decisions to make buildings more efficient," he says. Mills envisions a shift towards buildings that are beyond carbon neutral, generating carbon offsets that can also be financially advantageous, with some buildings generating more energy than they use. “This would be a wonderful place to reach,” Mills shares, “and hopefully we can get there before 2050.”

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News Roundup for April 25, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

A look at seven new ‘supertall’ buildings that are coming to Toronto, including the pros and cons; new condo sales in the Toronto area hit low not seen since financial crisis; some Canadian cottage owners upset after Ottawa increases capital gains tax; and other news.

Seven new ‘supertall’ buildings are coming to Toronto — is that a good thing? (The Star)

New condo sales in the Toronto area hit low not seen since financial crisis (CP24)

Some Canadian cottage owners upset after Ottawa increases capital gains tax (CTV News)

Residents say Toronto’s harbour is getting louder. Here’s the plan to turn the noise down (The Star)

Toronto rent prices fell for a third straight month, while this city saw the highest yearly increase in Ontario (The Star)

More than 11,500 housing units are delayed in Toronto — four times as many as last summer, report says (The Star)

How It Started

Craig White — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Yesterday's Daily Photo was of a new park coming together at the foot of Bathurst Quay. Today we get a look at the main reason why: the Canada Malting Company Silos, a heritage site celebrated for its part in Canada's early growth, is being restored. Today's photo by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen is from May 2022, about 6 months into the silo rehab project. You can see the start of the scaffolding just making its way around the south elevation of the south silo. Tomorrow we'll be back for a look at how well the rehab project is doing now!

The Canada Malting Company Silo as of May, 2022, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen

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Latest Iteration of 50 Eglinton West Proposes 46- and 58-Storey Towers

Anthony Teles — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:58:30 -0400

With the earliest redevelopment plan for the site having been submitted to the City of Toronto over a decade ago and a variety of versions since, 50 Eglinton Avenue West is now proposed as 46 and 58-storey towers designed by AUDAX architecture for Madison Group. Situated on the north side of Eglinton Avenue West, between Duplex Avenue and Henning Avenue, the Midtown Toronto site is a short walk west of Yonge Street. The mixed-use condominium complex would incorporate the heritage Toronto Hydro-Electric System Eglinton Substation within its podium.

Looking northeast to 50 Eglinton Avenue West, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Madison Group

Spanning a total area of approximately 3,989m², the rectangular property assembly comprises 50-60 Eglinton Avenue West, 90 Eglinton Avenue West, and 17-19 Henning Avenue. Currently, the site is home to the heritage-designated 2-story brick building, formerly the Toronto Hydro-Electric System Eglinton Substation, built in 1922, and adjacent structures including a vacant 3-story hydro depot building and a 6-story office building with underground parking.

Looking northwest to the current site from the corner of Eglinton Avenue West and Duplex Avenue, image from submission to City of Toronto

As per the timeline provided in this resubmission, a 2014 rezoning application for 90 Eglinton Avenue West aimed to construct a 29-storey mixed-use building, with subsequent proposals in 2016 including a redesign of the adjacent Henning Avenue properties to mixed-use. In 2017, City Council permitted a maximum height of about 92.5m.

Looking north towards the 2017 proposal for 50-60 Eglinton West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

An application in 2017 proposed a 36-storey building, revised downward to 32 storeys in a settlement that also merged the site with adjacent properties. In 2020, an application proposed 26- and 32-storey towers. Due to the City requiring updated heights in line with the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan, a resubmission increased tower heights to 34 and 39 storeys. However, an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal resulted in a mediated settlement endorsed by City Council in May, 2022, reducing heights to 33 and 35 storeys. The latest Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment application is a technical adjustment rather than a redesign, seeking to increase permitted heights and densities.

The 2019 proposal for 50-90 Eglinton West, image via submission to City of Toronto

The current proposal with Turner Fleischer Architects as Architect of Record would introduce a west tower slated to rise 46 storeys or 159m, and an east tower at 58 storeys or 194.2m. Together, they would house a total of 1,206 residential units. With six elevators per tower, residents would have one elevator for every 100.5 units, indicating reasonable wait times.

Ground floor plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

The design features a 2-storey podium that forms a visually cohesive base for the towers, integrating retail and amenity spaces while partially restoring the south and east elevations of the heritage building, overseen by GBCA Architects, with the western portion mirroring the facade. It would contain 1,313m² of retail units along Eglinton Avenue West. Two separate residential lobbies would be situated at the northwest and northeast corners.

Podium of 50 Eglinton Avenue West, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Madison Group

The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) would be 75,462m², with residential uses taking 74,148m², resulting in a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 19.09. The development plan includes 2,159m² of indoor amenities along with 1,116m² of outdoor amenity areas, found on the first three floors. Within a three-level underground parking structure, there would be provisions for 156 resident, 14 visitor, and 60 retail parking spaces. For cyclists, there would be 1,089 long-term and 128 short-term spots.

Site plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

Located just a short 150m walk west of the Eglinton station, the station is served by Yonge Line 1, several bus routes, and soon the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT. Avenue Road station on Line 5 is just 450m west of the site.

Aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

As urban intensification continues, the Yonge-Eglinton Centre neighbourhood features a diverse array of architectural forms ranging from traditional detached homes and "tower in the park" style buildings, to modern skyscrapers. Northwest of the site, 21-35 Henning Avenue is proposed at 34 storeys. Northeast, 2350 Yonge Street calls for a 50-storey tower. To the east, 36 Eglinton Avenue West is set to stand 59 storeys. At the Yonge and Eglinton intersection, 1 Eglinton Avenue East is proposed at 65 storeys. Southeast of the site, five buildings are proposed at 2180 Yonge Street which would range from 45 to 65 storeys.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database files, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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Sustainability Month: Mass Timber Construction Showing Long-Term Economic Benefits

Rick Muller — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:33:44 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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It took some time to get here, but the use of sustainable materials in construction is proving to be cost-effective and economically beneficial in the long term and most experts in the development industry see this continuing. The move to sustainable construction is growing in popularity and one of the most popular materials is the use of mass timber in buildings. It can be manufactured off-site and assembled on-site, bringing products to market faster and is much more environmentally friendly than concrete or steel.

A leading voice for incorporating mass timber as an economic benefit for sustainability in construction is Don Manlapaz, Partner at Leader Lane Developments. In partnership with Windmill Development Group, Leader Lane currently has three projects in its pipeline using mass timber in its construction, Hälsa, two projects on Royal York Road, and a 12-storey building at Bloor and Jane, with the first project to begin construction this fall.

Looking west to 230 Royal York Road, designed by LWPAC Architects for Leader Lane Developments and Windmill Development Group Ltd

“We could be on the dawn of a new era as the marketplace is experimenting with the mass timber approach in development,” says Manlapaz. “One of the biggest benefits is financial due to time compression. Because mass timber elements can be manufactured off-site and then installed on-site, construction times for some modest multi-storey buildings can be shortened from six months to 10 weeks in some cases.”

Within this mass timber era has emerged a modular wood revolution, building more affordable wood buildings for sustainable, human-scale neighbourhoods, led by such companies as Assembly Corp. It has been successful doing this because quite simply, the market is there.

“We need to start building infrastructure that is good for people and good for the planet because unfortunately, our built environment is a significant contributor to the climate crisis,” says Assembly Corp. CEO Geoff Cape. “These sentiments are shared by the industry and general public as more than 80% of Canadians want action on climate change. Sustainability is core to our DNA as a company and our mission is to build sustainable living solutions.”

“Wood is our primary building material and the only renewable one available,” says Francesca MacKinnon, Director of Sales and Marketing at Assembly. “Its value lies in its operational efficiency, carbon footprint and in its biophilic properties. It’s not only sustainable to work with, but it feels good to live in. Using our prefabricated mass timber approach provides housing to those that need it most, faster than traditional alternatives. Using a prefabricated method reduces time, errors and waste on site. Increasing our level of completion off-site is equally important as it allows us to build in a controlled environment. Assembly is able to achieve 20-50% in time savings and 15-20% in cost savings using a prefab modular wood approach.”

Looking west to 430 Royal York Road, designed by CMV Group architects for Leader Lane Developements and Windmill Development Group Ltd

Evidence that sustainable materials in construction are here to stay can be found in a 125,000 ft² manufacturing facility built for mass timber manufacturer Element5 that opened in December 2020 in St Thomas, which represented an investment of $50 million by the company.

“The growth and excitement in the mass timber industry was apparent and placing a manufacturing facility in Southern Ontario was an opportunity to fill a geographical gap in the market,” says Lee Scott, Manager, Sales for Canada and the USA for Element5. “The St Thomas facility is perfectly situated to serve the GTA, Ontario, the Midwest, and the entire eastern seaboard of the United States, which is a huge potential customer base. Prior to Element5, that market would only have been served by manufacturers in Europe, the West Coast, or Northern Quebec.”

The market is taking to mass timber as a sustainable material in construction because the end users love the aesthetics of the exposed wood, the general contractors see the advantage in the speed at which buildings can be erected and everyone benefits from using a natural, sustainable, renewable resource which has a lower impact on the environment. “If the design is efficient, mass timber buildings are cost-competitive with traditional methods, but you are getting a much better building for the money. It’s win, win,” says Scott.

Looking south to 2453-2469 Bloor Street West, designed by BDP Quadrangle for Leader Lane Developments and Windmill Development Group Ltd

Economically, wood is also proving its long-term benefits in construction. “Looking at the materials though, the wood may cost more than concrete or steel, but you are potentially saving on drywall in areas where the wood is exposed and there are savings for using less concrete for foundations due to wood being a lightweight material,” says Scott. “Also, the savings in the construction schedule translates into real dollars, especially at a time where interest rates are high and therefore construction financing is costly.”

Environmentally and economically, wood is making better sense in using sustainable materials in construction, while at the same time, it is also proving popular to designers. “We’re also seeing more of the design community get behind mass timber and this gives developers options,” observes Scott. “Designs are also getting more efficient and we’re continuing to advance technologies to bring costs down further. Expect to see many more mass timber buildings in the near and distant future.”

Development in any form obviously must make economic sense to move forward. Sustainable construction approaches and materials now being adopted are not only the right thing to do in the bigger picture but are now proven to make the most sense to the bottom line.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png[/img]

Aspen Ridge Freehold Townhomes at Crosstown in Master-Planned Community

Anthony Teles — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:23:13 -0400

Townhomes at Crosstown is the newest addition to Aspen Ridge’s expansive 60-acre master-planned Crosstown Community, nestled in the greenery of Toronto's Don Valley. The freehold townhomes will soon join other Crosstown buildings currently under construction on this remarkable infill site that is set to house a variety of buildings. Offering thousands of residential units, along with office space, retail, parks, and major new community spaces, there will also be a new transit hub at the Science Centre Station that will connect the Ontario Line to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, and offer frequent local and express bus services from the north.

An aerial view of the Crosstown Community, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

The Townhomes at Crosstown each feature 3-storey units. These homes come in spacious layouts that range in area from 2,200 to over 2,800 ft². Prospective homeowners can choose from two distinct collections: the Courtyard Collection, which feature a private detached garage and backyard; and the Rooftop Collection, which features an attached garage and a private rooftop terrace.

Living and dining room, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

The freehold townhomes feature a blend of stone, clay brick, wood-like and/or stucco finishes, complemented by precast concrete window sills, headers, and entrance arches. The windows throughout have bird-friendly exterior glazings.

An aerial view of Townhomes on Crosstown, by Aspen Ridge

Aspen Ridge has introduced the Design Studio, a 4,000 ft² facility where purchasers or buyers can customize their homes with a selection of high-standard finishes to match their unique styles. The interior spaces of these townhomes are designed with high ceilings — 10 feet on the main level in select units, with some units even boasting a 13-foot ceiling in the living room area — and are complemented by a contemporary kitchen cabinetry with either granite or quartz countertops. Each unit will also boast an elevator option, featuring engineered hardwood flooring, stainless steel finish call stations, and a nostalgic manual accordion cab gate.

Kitchen, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

Future residents will benefit from an array of premium amenities all designed to enrich the urban living experience. Crosstown's 5 acres of parkland and open spaces provide many options for relaxation and socializing. The community provides easy access to Sunnybrook Park, Aga Khan Park, and Edwards Gardens, and also plenty of local shops and restaurants in the nearby Leaside and Don Mills neighbourhoods.

Park System, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

Aspen Ridge envisions the Crosstown community as an urban hub that brings together residential, commercial, and public spaces. This transit-oriented development includes direct underground access to Science Centre Transit Hub to be served by the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT and Ontario Line 3, linking residents to downtown Toronto and beyond, to live, work, play and thrive. In only 5 stops, LRT riders can be at Eglinton station to catch the subway downtown.

Ontario Science Centre Station, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

With over 30 years of comprehensive experience, Aspen Ridge stands as one of Canada’s leading developers, known for its vertically integrated approach that encompasses all aspects of community building from land acquisition to construction, following sustainable and innovative development practices.

Townhomes at Crosstown, Courtyard Collection

Interested parties are invited to visit the Crosstown Presentation Centre at 844 Don Mills Road that is now open.

Backyard, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

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News Roundup for April 24, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Fickle home buyers tiptoe into spring market; Queen's Cross food hall is opening in Toronto’s Eaton Centre today; rent in Toronto is on the decline for the third month in a row, according to report; and other news.

Fickle home buyers tiptoe into spring market (The Globe and Mail)

A new food hall is opening in Toronto’s Eaton Centre Wednesday. Here’s what to expect (The Star)

Rent in Toronto is on the decline for the third month in a row: report (CP24)

Hidden waterways beneath Toronto could help transform its future (CBC)

Cottage listings to rise as owners try to sell before capital gains tax changes kick in, realtors say (The Star)

That's Some Arm

Craig White — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

While Toronto rushes into the sky with more concrete and rebar, the same thing is happening in a number of places more horizontally structured, places where we will be able to relax and enjoy the lake and our landscape better. In this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen, work progresses on Bathurst Quay Common, a new park coming by at water's edge of the Western Gap, where Toronto Harbour meets Lake Ontario. Behind in the rear middleground are the Canada Malting Company Silos that are being rejuvenated as another piece of making our waterfront more accessible... but the task at hand, or at arm's length in this photo, is to get the new park ready for Torontonians to enjoy later this year.

A concrete boom pump delivers liquid concrete to forms at the future Bathurst Quay Common, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen

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Madison Resubmits Midtown Proposals with Viñoly-Designed Towers

Anthony TelesCraig White — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:58:53 -0400

Midtown Toronto is seeing a transformative growth spurt, largely spurred by the ever-imminent opening of the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT. Just to the east of Eglinton station, Madison Group has reworked two nearby sites, seeking to create landmark developments at 110 and 150 Eglinton Avenue East, both designed by renowned Rafael Viñoly Architects, with Turner Fleischer Architects as the Architect of Record. These separate yet harmoniously designed applications introduce a vision of tailored high-rise, mixed-use complexes.

Looking south to 90 and 150 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

At 90 and 110 Eglinton Avenue East, a mostly rectangular assembly spans 5,450m². This site currently hosts two significant structures: a 9-storey office building featuring retail spaces at ground level at 90 Eglinton Avenue East, and a 7-storey mixed-use building that accommodates retail, commercial, and office spaces at 110 Eglinton Avenue East.

Currently at 90 and 110 Eglinton Avenue East, image retrieved from Apple Maps

Meanwhile, the 150 Eglinton Avenue East site encompasses 5,172m², merging the addresses of 150, 160, and 162 Eglinton, along with 134 and 140 Redpath Avenue. This site is predominantly filled with low to mid-rise commercial office and retail buildings, except 140 Redpath Avenue, which serves as a surface parking lot.

Currently at 150 to 162 Eglinton Avenue East, image retrieved from Apple Maps

Previously proposed at 90 and 110 Eglinton East was a Turner Fleischer Architects-designed plan for 57 and 59 storey towers rising from a shared podium.

Previous design, looking northeast to 110 Eglinton East, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for the Madison Group

Previously proposed at 150 to 162 Eglinton Avenue east was a design by BDP Quadrangle which called for 49 and 52 storey towers rising from a shared podium.

Previous design of 150 Eglinton East, designed by BDP Quadrangle for the Madison Group

The new proposal for 110 Eglinton Avenue East envisions red aluminum-clad 58-storey towers each rising to 236.55m, integrating residential, office, and retail functions. The revised design maintains a dual-tower configuration but achieves a more slender and elongated form, each featuring two volumes, one volume of which stops partway up — the west tower's shorted volume ending at 31 storeys, and the shorter portion of the east tower ending at 38 storeys. The development proposes a total of 1,035 residential units — a reduction from an earlier proposal of 1,116 units. The west tower, with 563 units and the east tower with 472 units would each have 7 elevators, meaning 1 elevator for every 80.4 and 67.4 units respectively, impressively under the 1 elevator per 100 unit threshold, promising very good elevator service.

Looking northeast to 110 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The 9-storey podium from the previous design is eliminated in favour of a "floating bridge" connecting the towers from levels 5 to 10. While 1,305m² of retail space is planned at grade, 23,005m² of office space would be found on floors 2 through 10. While the proposal at 150 Eglinton east features towers of 61 storeys each as opposed to the 58-storey towers here, both proposals are virtually the same height owing to the taller second through tenth floors for office space at this address. The office floors are provided with additional elevators. While the two sites each had replacement office space for the existing offices in the previous designs, all of the office space in the new proposals is collected at this address.

Below the "floating bridge" at 110 Eglinton East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The design entails a three-level underground garage that accommodates 179 residential and 33 visitor/non-residential parking spaces, reduced from the previous total of 366 spaces. In contrast, bicycle parking facilities have seen an increase, comprising 1,046 spaces for residents and 107 spaces for retail/office use. The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) would now be 93,097m², slightly decreased from the initial 94,903m², with adjustments made to balance residential and commercial spaces more effectively.

Site plan, 110 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

To the east, the proposal for 150 Eglinton Avenue East proposes two 61-storey towers that share the same design language, each reaching a height of 236.75m, just 20cm taller than its sibling proposal. The shorter section of the west tower here rises to 28 storeys, while the shorter section of the east tower rises to 40 storeys. The redesign eliminates the 6-storey podium, allowing the towers to rise directly from grade.

Looking north to 150 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The new plan would offer a total of 1,329 units, up from the 845 units proposed previously. The west tower, with 648 units and the east tower with 681 units would each have 7 elevators, meaning 1 elevator for every 92.6 and 97.3 units respectively, comfortably under the 1 elevator per 100 unit threshold, promising good elevator service.

Combined retail space of 1,181m² would be found at ground level of the two towers, with the aim to create a lively and engaging streetscape. Residents would have access to amenities located on the 2nd, 28th, and 40th floors, with 2,389m² indoors and 921m² outdoors.

Site plan, 150 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The design incorporates a three-level underground garage. Vehicular parking spaces have been reduced from 304 to 201, including 173 for residents and 28 for visitors and commercial use. Bicycle parking capacity would be increased to 1,345 spaces. The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of the development has expanded to 89,019m², compared to 76,479m² previously, along with 1,181m² designated for retail purposes.

The removal of traditional podiums has paved the way for 5,055m² of POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly accessible Space) total over both sites. The space would feature pedestrian-friendly pathways and landscaped areas that connect Eglinton Avenue to Roehampton Avenue. There would be new mid-block connections enhanced by outdoor rooms including an amphitheatre and adventure playground, along with café and retail patios.

These sites are situated less than 400m east of the Eglinton station on Yonge Line 1 and the future Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT, placing them within the station’s Major Transit Station Area, where greater density is encouraged by provincial and municipal regulations. Mount Pleasant station on Line 5 is a similar distance to the east.

An aerial view of 110 Eglinton Avenue East and the surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

To the north, The Hampton is nearing completion as a new 38-storey residential tower, while the nearby 77 Roehampton Avenue is proposed as a 50-storey high-rise, and 141 Roehampton Avenue at 58 storeys. Directly south, a 55-storey tower is proposed at 55 Eglinton Avenue East. Closer to the Yonge and Eglinton intersection, the application for 1 Eglinton Avenue East calls for a 65-storey mixed-use development.

An aerial view of 150 Eglinton Avenue East and the surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

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Avontuura's Wanderer Guides Designed For Architecture Buffs to Geek-out in Toronto, and Worldwide

Craig White — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:30:00 -0400

As an UrbanToronto reader, we're willing to bet that you pay more attention to the architecture of Toronto — and anywhere else you many happen to be hanging out — than your non-UrbanToronto-reading friends (exasperating, aren't they?!). On any given block in your hometown you probably know facts and figures for a number of the buildings you see, their history, who designed them, and what style they are… or if you're traveling the great cities of the world, you've got a checklist of buildings to check out, and you don't want to miss anything particularly cool.

Karl van Es, and the Legend for the Hong Kong Avontuura Wanderer map

Architect Karl van Es has got your back, in a dozen of the world's great cities, including this one. Van Es, an Associate and sustainability expert at BDP Quadrangle, feels that way when he's out and about, and wanted a quick tool to find the significant buildings in cities he's travelled to, and so designed a line of fold-out guides as quick references — the Wanderer Series from Avontuura — to help you with your touring.

The guides are just slightly smaller than a standard fold map size, so will fit in a big pocket or any carry-all you have with you. They're not meant to give you the entire background of a building, but they include who designed the building while assuming you'll do further research about the ones that really impress you. The guides geographically group what's worth seeing, and give you convenient info that won't disappear from your screen anytime you close your smartphone. The guides provide the reliability, immediate reference, and tactility of printed materials, lasting qualities of the analogue — like buildings have themselves — in this increasingly momentary digital world.

The series — publication of which began in 2023 — has just reached a dozen titles, with Amsterdam, Berlin, Singapore, and Toronto just having been added to the set this month. Buildings that any tourist would want to find can be found on the maps, like the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and Sagrada Familia, but Modern masterworks can be found as well, like Copenhagen's Copenhill, London's Barbican Estate, and Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, while more obscure gems are there too, like Berlin's Bauhaus Archive, Los Angeles' Ramón C. Cortines School, and Tokyo's Fuji Kindergarten. In fact, as curated lists, the Wanderer guides will get you to buildings that you might have overlooked too.

The front of each guide features a squiggle of one of that city's noteworthy buildings — some of which you'll recognize right away, and some of which may leave you guessing (back covers reveal all!!) — but every squiggle is a single line, from a starting to and ending point, suggesting something else that you'll find in each guide: a recommended route that will help you maximize your sightseeing time.

You can buy Avontuura's Wanderer series from their online shop, but courtesy of Avontuura, we'd like to make some UrbanToronto readers happy with a chance to win a complete set of the series so far — Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, and of course, Toronto — by following two easy steps:

Follow our quickly growing @urbantoronto TikTok channel, and
Comment "Wanderer" on any of our TikToks by 11.59.59 PM EDT, April 30, 2024.

Three winners will be chosen at random and announced on May 1, 2024. Each winner will have the full set mailed to them! Best of luck!

Want to be alerted when Avontuura's next Wanderer titles come out? Follow their Instagram account here.

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Queen's Cross Food Hall Brings Global Flavours to Toronto Eaton Centre

Anthony Teles — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:57:51 -0400

Last week, Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality and Cadillac Fairview hosted an exclusive sneak peek of Queen's Cross Food Hall, set to open on April 24th at the south end of Toronto Eaton Centre. The collaboration brings together two powerhouses in the hospitality and retail industries, with a shared vision of creating a vibrant, inclusive dining destination in the heart of Downtown Toronto. The event offered a tantalizing glimpse into the remake of the 19,000 ft² “chef-driven” dining area located close by the Queen subway station entrance on the mall's lower level.

The food hall's design by Solid Design Creative draws inspiration from the bustling atmosphere of a cosmopolitan train station — in particular London's iconic King's Cross station. Visitors are greeted by the "Queen's Cross Food Hall" signage, presented in a style that echoes London's tube station signs, immediately setting the tone for the immersive experience. Above the entrance, an eye-catching split flap board, reminiscent of the classic departures boards found in transit hubs, adds to the dynamic ambiance, with its changing display.

Entrance to Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

Once inside, the space begins with a Victorian greenhouse aesthetic, with greenery and inviting communal seating areas that include wooden banquettes and which create a social-friendly environment. Adding to the King’s Cross connection is the clock above the bar, evoking the clock tower of London’s famed station.

The bar and cafe, image by Anthony Teles

Further in, the facades of each food stall reflect their brands, while this space is characterized by exposed ceiling fixtures dropped from an industrial-chic open ceiling with blacked-out ductwork.

Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

As Sal Iacono, President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview, and Andrew Oliver, President & CEO of Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality, addressed the gathered crowd, their enthusiasm for the project was palpable. Iacono emphasized the culinary collaboration and food hall's role in enhancing the mall's retail and dining mix. It was a sentiment echoed by Oliver, who spoke of the challenges faced during the pandemic and the desire to create a space that serves the community.

Sal Iacono, President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview, addressing the crowd, image by Anthony Teles

Chef Michael Robertson, Oliver & Bonacini’s Corporate Events Chef who is overseeing Queen's Cross' cuisine, spoke on his team's commitment to creating an inviting space for everyone, from morning coffees to nighttime cocktails, catering to different tastes and preferences. "This is not an elite space. Everyone is welcome," he stated, highlighting the food hall's inclusivity and accessibility.

Within Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

Queen's Cross Food Hall boasts 13 food stalls, a bar and café, two rotating pop-up stalls, and enough seating for 300 people. The diverse array of cuisines offers new quick-service brands and adaptations of Oliver & Bonacini restaurants and pop-ups, with something for every palate, from the classic comforts of fish and chips to the inventive twists of sushi bowls. The inclusion of limited-time pop-ups allows a refreshing of offerings on a regular. At opening, the pops-up are Lil Rebel by Chef Eric Chong of Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated R&D, and Craig's Cookies which will add scrumptious desserts to the mix.

Within Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

Looking ahead, Queen's Cross Food Hall plans to launch a pick-up and delivery app, the first of its kind designed specifically for food halls. The app will cater to nearby office workers and businesses, particularly those in the office towers at the Eaton Centre itself, allowing them to combine items from various food stalls in a single order.

With its global flavours and inviting ambiance, this new dining destination will add a significant new fast-casual dining option when it opens tomorrow, offering a unique and accessible experience for hungry patrons.

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News Roundup for April 23, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Falling condo market drags down new home sales to record lows across the GTA; GO Transit set to change most bus schedules, several routes to see reductions; tens of thousands head to Toronto parks to take in the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms; and other news.

Falling condo market drags down new home sales to record lows across the GTA (The Star)

GO Transit set to change most bus schedules, several routes to see reductions (CityNews)

Tens of thousands head to Toronto parks to take in the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms (The Globe and Mail)

Toronto bolsters apartment inspection rules to combat bad landlords (CBC)

Dollars and cents: Ontario homelessness spend balloons as community housing craters (Global News)

Honda expected to announce multi-billion dollar deal to assemble EVs in Ontario: sources (CBC)

TTC shutting down subway between Davisville and York Mills this Saturday (The Star)

Shimmy

Craig White — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

With the rippling effect in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo of the actual exterior design, or in the uneven mirroring of multi-pane glass window wall, 252 Church and the reflection of 1 Dundas Street West respectively appear to shimmy as they rise near Yonge and Dundas streets in Downtown Toronto, bringing some rhythm and verve to the area.

252 Church and the reflection of 1 Dundas West both appear to shimmy as they rise near Yonge and Dundas, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo

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Ferris + Associates Merges with NAK Design Strategies, Reshaping the GTA Landscape

Anthony Teles — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 16:08:35 -0400

In a significant development for the urban landscape architecture sector, Ferris + Associates Inc., a company renowned for its contributions to Toronto's streetscapes and skyline, has announced its merger with NAK Design Strategies, a prominent North American landscape and urban design firm. With Ferris + Associates Inc. joining the NAK DS family, this strategic merger aims to invigorate the Greater Toronto Area's real estate sector, signalling a commitment to expansive growth and enhanced service delivery in high-density developments.

2575 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, designed by WZMH Architects and Ferris + Associates for Victoria Wood/Main Square LP

Founded in 1987, NAK Design Strategies has made a name for itself by crafting public spaces and master plans that elevate the aesthetic and functional aspects of urban areas while contributing to community well-being. Their notable projects include Lakeview Village, Palermo Village, and Caledon Station, each acting as separate showcases of their sustainability and innovative urban solutions.

Ferris + Associates Inc. brings over three decades of excellence in shaping Toronto's notable landscapes, including the National Trade Centre and the Rogers Centre. Their expertise in large-scale private developments and high-rise projects like the public park at M2M Condos and Main Square at 2575 Danforth Avenue has positioned them as leaders in landscape architecture.

An aerial view of the park at M2M Condos, image courtesy of Ferris + Associates

Silvano Tardella, founding Principal of NAK Design Strategies, established the firm with a clear vision to disrupt the industry by prioritizing the needs and well-being of clients and staff over self-promotion or a distinct stylistic identity. This client-centric approach has propelled NAK to become the largest landscape architecture firm in Canada.

NAK's vision of treating their team as family and their focus on people-first values resonated deeply with Ferris + Associates, making the merger a natural and promising progression. This partnership particularly aligns with the shifting market trends toward higher-density developments, an area where Ferris has excelled and which represents a significant growth trajectory in urban design.

Palermo Village, designed by Perkins&Will and NAK Design Strategies for Argo Developments

Paul Ferris, Principal of Ferris + Associates, views the merger with NAK as a pivotal opportunity for his team to expand their service offerings, enhance their capabilities, and extend their regional impact. The shared leadership philosophies and mutual respect between the two firms have set a solid foundation for a merger, building enthusiasm for a combined future. Ferris is particularly excited about the possibilities this partnership holds for advancing its influence and expertise in the landscape architecture sector.

The synergistic potential of this merger is vast, with both NAK Design Strategies and Ferris + Associates coming together with a rich portfolio of projects.

For NAK Design Strategies, Lakeview Village is poised to revitalize Mississauga’s waterfront by blending residential, commercial, and cultural spaces into a sustainable community. This project aims to reconnect the city with Lake Ontario through innovative design and diverse programming. Another village-inspired project, Palermo Village in Oakville is envisioned as a transit-oriented development that integrates a variety of housing types with retail, office space, and public amenities.

There is also the Caledon Station Transit-Oriented Community, a master-planned development in Bolton area of the Town of Caledon, integrating residential and commercial spaces with a proposed GO train service. Additionally, at 128 Grovewood Common in the picturesque Preserve neighbourhood of Oakville, Bower Condominiums exemplifies NAK Design Strategies' commitment to diversifying that town's residential offerings.

Bower Condos, landscape designed by NAK Design Strategies for Mattamy Homes

Ferris + Associates are also making notable contributions with projects like M2M Condos, under construction in North York, set to feature a new 6,000m² public park on the former Newtonbrook Plaza site. In Toronto's East End, a transformative redevelopment of Main Square at 2575 Danforth Avenue will densify the area with five buildings up to 55 storeys. Ferris is contributing to the site's layout, designing roads, walkways, and a central plaza area. Meanwhile, 7700 Keele is an ambitious mixed-use development poised to transform a key intersection in Vaughan, including an ensemble of eight buildings ranging from 6 to 60 storeys, with 3,000 units planned.

7700 Keele Street, designed by BDP Quadrangle and Ferris + Associates for Avenue 7 Developments Ltd

With shared values and mutual respect for one another’s leadership and design philosophies, NAK Design Strategies and Ferris + Associates Inc. are poised to make a significant impact on the urban landscape of the GTA and beyond. The two offices will continue to operate under their existing names.

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UrbanToronto Webinars: Building Sustainably — Industry and Individuals

UrbanToronto Staff — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:49:25 -0400

Join UrbanToronto this Wednesday, April 24 at 1 PM EDT for our latest Webinar. In celebration of Earth Month, UrbanToronto will examine the future of sustainable development in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. Guests joining UrbanToronto's Research Analyst/Economist, Ash Navabi, and Managing Editor, Craig White, are Graeme Armster of Deltera and Geoff Cape of Assembly Corp.

Graeme Armster • Director Innovation & Sustainability, Tridel (Deltera Inc.)

Graeme is a mechanical engineer by trade and leads the Innovation & Sustainability team in developing and implementing new products and processes across Tridel’s portfolio. The team drives feasibility studies across the organization for new technology to support sustainability and cost reduction for the full development life cycle. Graeme has in depth experience implementing various green technologies to reduce carbon emissions including geothermal, VRF, integrated solar PV, district energy, and smart building technology. He works with project design teams in thoughtful material selection in an effort reduce embodied carbon. Graeme is a key stakeholder in the development and ongoing management of Tridel’s Corporate ESG Strategy, providing governance centered on identifying and minimize risks associated with the physical consequences of climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

Geoff Cape • CEO Assembly Corp, Assembly Corp

Geoff Cape is CEO of Assembly Corp, an industry leader in the delivery of sustainable, prefabricated mass-timber housing. For almost 35 years, Geoff has been at the forefront of advancing urban innovation and environmental sustainability across diverse platforms. He has been an author, public speaker, program designer, advisor, and builder who has helped instill a commitment to environmental issues in Canada while being a key advocate for sustainable cities, green infrastructure, and climate change resilience. Geoff is most well-known for starting Evergreen in 1991 as a national charity in Canada and transforming 42-acre Evergreen Brick Works into an internationally recognized centre of excellence. Selected in 2018 as a Member of the Order of Canada, Geoff has also been honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of outstanding community contributions.

To register for this free event, please click here!

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Sustainability Month: The Important Link Between Heritage & Sustainability

Julian Mirabelli — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 10:30:42 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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When it comes to talking about sustainable development, much of the conversation revolves around new construction and how we can create buildings that are more energy-efficient with lower carbon footprints. But there is a popular saying in the heritage community: the greenest building is the one that already exists. In recent years, the conversation around sustainability has broadened to include heritage preservation and the retrofit of existing buildings as one of the most effective ways to achieve sustainability goals. Heritage and sustainability go hand-in-hand, and there are many different aspects to heritage preservation that are integral to achieving a truly green urban environment.

To better understand the relationship between heritage and sustainability, UrbanToronto spoke with Dima Cook, Principal at EVOQ Architecture and Chair of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals (CAHP) Advocacy Committee, which focuses on how retrofitting and adaptively reusing heritage buildings can contribute to sustainable development goals.

Union Station is an example of heritage preservation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Willybru21

The most obvious relationship between heritage and sustainability is through embodied carbon. Simply put, renovating and maintaining an existing building consumes vastly less energy than demolishing and building new. As Cook explained, the savings mainly come by avoiding carbon emissions: the construction of a new building emits massive amounts of carbon, through the manufacturing process of its materials and the process of assembling them on the construction site, which is completely avoided when retrofitting the existing building. It also prevents large amounts of existing materials being thrown away; it is estimated that roughly 20% of all landfill deposits in Canada come from construction waste. A study completed in 2011 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the US found that, “it takes between 10 and 80 years for a new building that is 30% more efficient than an average-performing existing building to overcome, through efficient operations, the negative climate change impacts related to the construction process”.

Massey Hall is an example of heritage preservation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AlbertC

There is a common myth that older buildings are by nature inefficient, and replacing them with new, energy-efficient structures is the best way to build a more sustainable city. Cook stresses that this, however, has repeatedly been proven false. A recent study by the US Department of Defense examined all of their pre-World War II masonry building stock and concluded that it would be significantly less expensive to modernize their existing buildings with new energy-efficient systems rather than demolish and build new, and their sustainability targets would still be achieved. A similar study in Chicago found that their historic pre-war skyscrapers were inherently more efficient than the post-war glass towers, due to their thick masonry walls; smaller floor plates; higher ceilings; punched windows in lieu of floor-to-ceiling glass; and natural ventilation.

A high-profile example of a heritage building retrofit is the iconic Empire State Building in New York City, which recently underwent a comprehensive $550-million overhaul to modernize the 94-year-old tower. A big part of the renovation focused on making the building more energy efficient. All of the building’s systems were improved or replaced, from the elevators recapturing energy that would be lost to heat, to the radiators minimizing heat loss with reflective barriers, to the lighting system adapting to daylight using new energy-efficient fixtures. Every one of the 6,514 windows in the tower were retrofitted, quadrupling their performance, with roughly 96% of the existing materials being reused. When it comes to sustainability, the Empire State Building is now in the top 20% or higher of all Class A commercial buildings across the entire USA.

The Empire State Building in New York, image courtesy of Empire State Building

Closer to home, the Evergreen Brickworks is a good example of sustainable adaptive reuse in Toronto. In 2010, the former Don Valley Brickworks complex was transformed by Evergreen into a centre for social and environmental sustainability. Much of the existing building stock was retained and reused, with new structures slotted in between. More recently, Evergreen transformed the Kiln Building into a carbon-neutral event space in 2017. The designers took a minimal-touch approach, leaving most of the building in its original state, while making targeted interventions - implementing geothermal heating and cooling; installing a raised floor level to protect from flooding complete with radiant heating; installing skylights for natural ventilation; and adding a triple-glazed curtain wall to infill large openings in the structure for weather protection. The remainder of the building was left as is, including all of its graffiti and imperfections.

The Kiln Building under construction in 2017 at Evergreen Brickworks, image by Ben Rahn

The link between heritage and sustainability goes beyond buildings as well. The conservation of natural heritage is an integral part of sustainability, with a focus on landscapes and ecosystems that are specific to the local area. Take, for example, Toronto’s ravine networks, which not only provide popular green spaces that are essential for a healthy urban environment, but also preserve native flora and fauna species that have been largely wiped out by the sprawl of the city. Their conservation is not only imperative for maintaining a green and sustainable city, but also for preserving our natural and cultural heritage, as ravines have been an important resource for Indigenous peoples, colonial settlers, and modern-day residents throughout the history of Toronto.

The construction of Villiers Island and reshaping of the mouth of the Don River is also a form of heritage reconstruction. The project is creating a new naturalized mouth for the river, whose outlet to the lake had been completely reconfigured over the last century due to industrial development at the waterfront which has routinely caused flooding. The project is now recreating a natural outlet into the lake, thereby reducing the flood risk and restoring natural wetlands to the area, using native plant species and fostering habitats that will attract local birds and wildlife back to the industrialized area.

The naturalization of the Don River in progress, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor hawc

Natural heritage is not a static thing either, it also extends to living practices in how we care for our natural spaces. Prescribed burns have been conducted in High Park over the past two decades to help preserve the park’s rare black oak ecosystem. This practice, however, is nothing new, as Indigenous Peoples regularly engaged in controlled burns in pre-colonial times as a way to encourage new growth and keep the land clean. Indigenous knowledge has come to the forefront for the preservation of our natural heritage, and is essential to maintaining our fragile ecosystems in sustainable ways.

Prescribed burn in South Humber Park, image by Craig White

Heritage preservation also has benefits when it comes to social sustainability. The preservation of buildings and landscapes that are culturally significant contribute to a more vibrant urban environment, where residents can relate more to their surroundings and are more engaged with their cities which actively represent and display their culture and history. Older buildings often have lower rents and unique spaces that fill a crucial role in the real estate market, and are also often located in denser neighbourhoods that encourage walkability and transit use. As well, when it comes to restoring old buildings, the majority of the construction costs are spent on labour rather than materials, so the money is reinvested back into the local community.

The Symes Destructor is an example of adaptive reuse, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor adHominem

Despite the benefits of preserving existing buildings, the focus on sustainability is still on new construction. Cook lists several reasons as to why there is still a lag in our understanding of these issues. A major one is the lack of expertise and knowledge in the assessment, treatment, and design approaches to existing and heritage buildings across the construction industry. Architects, engineers, contractors, and owners are typically educated in new construction, and each discipline exists within a silo where each prioritizes their own data and fails to understand the bigger picture. When making decisions about whether to renovate, restore, or build new, the experience and collaboration required to make informed decisions is simply lacking.

As well, Cook points toward overly prescriptive requirements that are not adapted to existing buildings. The Building Code, for example, is heavily weighted toward new construction in its requirements, and does not always take into account the unique circumstances of building retrofits. Environmental standards such as LEED only focus on new construction, and do not offer any targets geared to maintaining existing buildings. Life cycle assessments are often missing entirely from design processes, and energy audits frequently focus only on mechanical and electrical systems rather than regarding the building as a whole.

There is also little financial incentive from governments to maintain existing building stock. While grants and tax rebates do exist, these are often delegated to municipalities to dole out, with no consistency across provinces or at the federal level. As well, they are often only for buildings that have been designated as heritage, which ignores the majority of existing structures. The incentives that do exist are sometimes misguided; for example, the federal government offers grants for homeowners to make their houses greener, which includes money for replacing the existing windows - but it offers nothing for restoring or retrofitting the existing windows of your home. With so much of the political discussion these days revolving around housing supply and affordability, the incentives being offered overwhelmingly favour new construction; what can be done with our existing buildings that may contribute to the housing supply is notably absent from the conversation.

The Evergreen Brickworks, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor greg_cooke

All this to say, the bias against preserving existing buildings is a systemic issue. As a society, we tend to value the new and shiny over the worn and used, but this attitude is counterintuitive to any sustainability goals we may strive to achieve. Heritage preservation is inherently green, and in order to take meaningful strides to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, the construction industry and our governing bodies must work together to reshape the conversations around sustainability so that existing buildings and landscapes become an integral component of the way forward.

The vast majority of our built environment already exists, and will continue to exist far into the future. The key to creating more sustainable cities lies in how we deal with what we already have; without this, we are only fighting half the battle.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png?2[/img]

News Roundup for April 22, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 09:32:37 -0400

A look at the entire 15.6-kilometre length of the Ontario Line to find out how it is remaking Toronto; volunteers head out to clean up and beautify Toronto ahead of Earth Day 2024; no strike as trades workers, TTC reach tentative wage deal; and other news.

The digging is just beginning, but the Ontario Line is already remaking Toronto. We travelled its entire 15.6-kilometre length to find out how (The Star)

Volunteers head out to clean up and beautify Toronto ahead of Earth Day 2024 (CityNews)

No strike as trades workers, TTC reach tentative wage deal (CBC)

High Park cherry blossoms to reach peak bloom today (CityNews)

Toronto strengthens bylaw to close short-term rental loopholes (CBC)

Angularity

Craig White — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Looking up at the three towers of Tridel's Auberge on the Park complex (one tower still under construction) in the Don Mills area of Toronto, this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor flonicky emphasizes by its closeness to the subject what the architecture of the towers leans into itself: angularity. Toronto's buildings have been subject to angular plane restrictions that aim to tailor the shapes of buildings so that shadows and 'overlook' are minimized on their neighbours. The design of Auberge's towers does its best to make a virtue of the angles by taking them to their ultimate extensions and abstracting them. The photographer's vantage point, looking up from close by, further underlines the whole idea.

Looking up at the towers of Auberge on the Park in Don Mills, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor flonicky

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45- and 61-Storey Towers Proposed Near Oakville GO

Anthony Teles — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 16:24:45 -0400

Like every municipality in the Greater Toronto Area, Oakville is transforming from a traditionally low-rise suburb into a denser urban sub-centre. Right in the centre of Oakville where Trafalgar Road crosses the QEW, and a short walk from Oakville GO station, is a proposal at 157 Cross Avenue. Designed by Teeple Architects for Distrikt Group, this ambitious 45- and 61-storey mixed-use, two-tower project is part of a wave of multi-tower high-rise proposals by Distrikt Group in the immediate area.

Looking west to 157 Cross Avenue, designed by Teeple Architects for Distrikt Group

The site is an assembly of two commercial properties,157 and 165 Cross Avenue. Occupied by a single-storey Lighting Centre and a three-storey building housing a school, dentistry clinic, and law office, these buildings are earmarked for demolition. The surrounding area is characterized by commercial and retail plazas, automotive dealerships, and large parking areas servicing the Oakville GO station, but is increasingly seeing low-rise commercial forms giving way to mixed-use high-rises.

Looking north to the current site, image retrieved from Google Maps

The proposal's two high-rise towers would reach 155.5m and 203.5m, with 504 units in the former and 694 in the latter. . The development boasts a total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 97,858m² on land that is approximately 9,630m² in area, and therefore has a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 10.17. A tiered 3-storey podium would support a mix of uses, including 2,693m² of retail space and 1,027m² designated for offices, and would frame a POPS (Privately Owned Publicly accessible Space) of 1,057m², introducing a park setting at the southeast corner of the site. Further street-level enhancements call for 3,586m² conveyance for future roads along the north and east edges of the site, in addition to widening Cross Avenue.

POPS space, designed by Teeple Architects for Distrikt Group

There would be 3,648m² of indoor and 1,480m² of outdoor amenities, located on the second and third floors of the podium, connecting to a central outdoor terrace. Both buildings would have two elevators running from the parking garage to the podium levels. The shorter tower would have five residential elevators, and the taller one six, resulting in approximately one elevator for every 101 and 116 units respectively, indicating longer wait times for the 61-storey tower’s residents.

Seven levels of underground garage would house 599 residential and 180 visitor parking spaces, along with 40 for retail, office, and commercial use. In addition, bicycle parking provisions would include 900 long-term and 300 short-term spaces.

Ground floor plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

Just a 5-minute walk from the Oakville GO station, residents would have access to GO Transit’s commuter rail service on the Lakeshore West Line, alongside VIA Rail and Amtrak services. In addition, plans for enhancing local transit infrastructure are underway, with the proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) service along Trafalgar Road promising dedicated lanes for faster and more reliable bus services. Additionally, the site is close to major thoroughfares such as the Queen Elizabeth Way and Trafalgar Road. Across the QEW is the expansive Oakville Place Shopping Centre.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

The surrounding area’s development activity showcases Midtown Oakville’s transition into a high-rise urban centre. To the south, near the Oakville GO station, an older proposal called The Insignia is planned for 12 storeys. East of the station, 485 Trafalgar Road is proposed at 19 storeys. Closer to this proposal and the Queen Elizabeth Way, the proposal at 627 Lyons Lane would stand 28 storeys. Surrounding the site, Distrikt Group's proposals for Distrikt Station and 590 Argus Road, both designed by Teeple Architects, as well as 166 South Service Road East, all call for three towers ranging from 44 to 58 storeys.

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DRP Reviews Innovative Affordable Housing at Kennedy Station

Julian Mirabelli — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:35:16 -0400

The City of Toronto's Housing Now initiative has been steadily chugging along — mostly in the background — since it was first announced five years ago, and has now expanded to include 22 properties and more than 15,000 proposed dwelling units across the city, roughly a third of which are slated to be affordable housing. The program marked a significant milestone in 2023 with a ground breaking ceremony for 5207 Dundas West in Etobicoke, the first Housing Now project to begin construction. Many of the other projects are in various stages of the planning process, including one of the larger developments at 2444 Eglinton East, adjacent to Kennedy TTC and GO stations, which appeared before the City of Toronto Design Review Panel in January.

Rendering looking northwest, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Located on a triangular site on the north side of Eglinton directly across from the Kennedy transit hub, 2444 Eglinton East proposes to build three mixed-use residential towers of 20, 34, and 43 storeys, with a mix of 409 market condo units and 509 affordable and market co-op rental units. Led by CreateTO in partnership with Windmill Development Group Ltd and Civic Developments, the project also proposes grade-level retail and significant public realm improvements to the somewhat isolated site. The development is designed by Vancouver-based Henriquez Partners Architects, whose growing portfolio in Toronto also includes Mirvish Village and 5207 Dundas West.

Aerial rendering looking northwest, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

The property at 2444 Eglinton East is currently home to surface parking lots and an automotive centre. It is hemmed in on all three sides by heavy infrastructure: the Hydro corridor forms the northern border of the site; the Stouffville GO rail corridor runs along the eastern boundary; and to the south is the Eglinton Avenue overpass. Currently an isolated island accessible via a service road, the redevelopment of the site proposes several ways to improve its connectivity to the surrounding neighbourhoods and transit hub.

Aerial view of the current site, image courtesy of the City of Toronto.

The project's design concept aims to merge the building's podium with the open space of the Hydro corridor to the north, envisioning a connection between the ground plane and the outdoor rooftop amenities on the fourth floor. The three towers emerge from this new elevated ground plane, their massing adjusted from the initial planning study to better respond to the neighbouring context and to limit shadows on the Hydro corridor.

Conceptual diagram showing massing, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

At ground level, a woonerf cuts through the middle of the site, connecting the Hydro corridor to Kennedy station via a pedestrianized underpass below Eglinton, leading to a suggested transit plaza envisioned by the design team in front of the station. Retail is proposed for the ground level of the development, along with an undetermined community function and residential amenities. The design team is also proposing community gardens to be established in the Hydro corridor, for the use of the residents.

Ground floor plan, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Massing diagram of ground floor uses, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

The podium of the towers rises four storeys, with three parking levels above the ground floor. The design team argued that in this specific scenario, above-grade parking was actually very beneficial for the project. Aside from the obvious cost benefits of not having to excavate or remove the contaminated soils, the parking levels ensure that no residential units are below the Eglinton overpass, improving access to sunlight and reducing noise impacts. With an eye to the future, above-grade parking also has less of an environmental impact through embodied carbon, and can be easily adapted to alternate uses if parking usage decreases.

Rendering looking east along North Service Road, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Above the podium, the three towers rise out of the outdoor amenity level, arranged with the shortest 20-storey rental tower at the corner flanked by the tallest 43-storey rental tower to the north and the 34-storey condo tower to the west. The towers are clad with the same honeycomb-patterned facade, but the design team emphasized that it is still early in the process, so materials and details may change as the design progresses.

Rendering looking south from Hydro Corridor, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Notably, there are no balconies, which the proponents argued saved significant costs and was environmentally beneficial, limiting the amount of concrete needed and eliminating thermal bridging at each balcony. They estimate that between the above-grade parking and lack of balconies, roughly $50 million dollars was saved, which allowed for the inclusion of more affordable housing units.

Aerial rendering looking southeast, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

The Design Review Panel was overall impressed with the development, calling it a "provocative vision" that does a "pretty fantastic job creating a project that has character and brings a sense of place to this corner that is lost in a sea of various transit connections". They commended the design team of having a strong concept and some bold ambitions for this project. They did however offer some recommendations on how to improve the development moving forward.

Rendering of pedestrian underpass connection to Kennedy Station, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

The Panel had a lot to say about the ground floor and podium, with several items becoming the focus of their attention. First, the Panel was actually overall supportive of the above-grade parking, agreeing that in this context it works. However, they cautioned about the design of the podium, specifically with how the north edge could achieve a more seamless transition between the Hydro corridor and the fourth floor amenities. They encouraged the design team to rework the currently tiered massing along the north side, hoping for a more direct connection for residents to pass from the ground to the roof level. They also commented on the cladding at the parking garage on the other facades, saying they weren't entirely convinced that the "green edge" proposed would be successful.

Rendering looking south from Hydro Corridor, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

At grade, Panel members commented that much of the ground floor was occupied by loading, mechanical, and back-of-house spaces, and that the layout might be better served if some of those were relocated to the parking floors above or the service level below grade to free up more space for public uses. Panelists also suggested different configurations for the ground floor layout, with some pushing for more prominent residential lobbies and others wondering if the retail at the north end should be shifted further south.

Rendering looking northwest along Hydro Corridor, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Regarding the public realm, Panel members wanted to see more attention given to the service road along the south edge of the site, saying that currently it would be very busy with vehicular traffic, and perhaps more could be done to improve the pedestrian experience. They also questioned if pedestrian access from the east and west along Eglinton had been properly considered, as the focus had mainly been on the north-south route.

Rendering looking east, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

The Panel commended the design team for its ambitions that extended beyond the boundaries of the site, with the pedestrianized underpass connecting to Kennedy station and the community gardens within the Hydro corridor. However, they cautioned both City staff and the design team that these would require a significant amount of coordination, funding, and buy-in from other parties, and they urged them to engage early and often with these stakeholders to ensure these interventions are fully realized.

Conceptual rendering looking north from Kennedy Station, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Finally, the Panel offered words of caution regarding the floor plate size and tower separation distances. Currently, the towers are proposed to have 800m² floor plates, with the lowest separation distance at 22m between the two south towers. These exceed the City's Tall Building Design Guidelines of maximum 750m² floor plates and minimum 25m separation distance. Within the context of this project, the Panel did not have many objections to these exceptions. However, this came with a warning that there were many other large-scale developments in the immediate vicinity that would use this as a precedent for their projects, so approving these exceptions may create an unwanted ripple effect for the City.

Diagram showing planned future context, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

Overall, the Design Review Panel were very pleased with the direction this development was headed in, and encouraged the design team and City to continue pushing their ambitious ideas for this project in what could become a precedent for future developments of its kind. There was no vote held by the Panel.

Rendering looking south from Hydro Corridor, image via submission to the City of Toronto.

We will keep you updated as 2444 Eglinton East continues to progress through the planning process, but in the meantime, you can tell us what you think my checking out the associated Forum thread or by leaving a comment in the space provided on this page.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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Lifetime Helping Craft the Future of Toronto's Neighbourhoods

Anthony Teles — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 11:38:12 -0400

Lifetime Developments positions its projects to tap into the desirability and charm of Toronto’s eclectic neighbourhoods, bringing reinvestment, renewal, and new neighbours. Identifying the unique characteristics of each locale. UrbanToronto recently spoke with Brian Brown, Principal at Lifetime, to delve deeper into how the company tailors residential and mixed-use developments to each area’s housing needs.

XO & XO2 Condos: Transforming King and Dufferin

At King and Dufferin Streets, just steps away from Liberty Village, Queen West, and Parkdale, Lifetime Developments is making an impact with XO and XO2, in partnership with Pinedale Properties.

Looking southwest to construction on XO2 Condos, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Red Mars

The 14-storey XO Condos, (below) located at 1221 King Street West and designed by Core Architects and Turner Fleischer Architects, has 307 residential units atop ground-level retail. XO2, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects (above), is under construction, sitting kitty-corner to its sibling at 1182 King Street West, and set to stand 19 storeys with 410 units. “It’s a major intersection where we had the opportunity to have two different buildings on the corners,” Brown tells UrbanToronto, “and make a dramatic change in the way people experience that intersection.”

Nestled into the side of XO is the old Bank of Montreal, at the southwest corner of the intersection. It was purchased by Lifetime for use as a sales office and eventually retail, as part of the project’s heritage retention.

Looking northwest to XO Condos from Dufferin Street, image courtesy of Lifetime

Connectivity is another key feature, with proximity to multiple TTC routes. Brown points out that living there means “knowing that I can get on the streetcar to get to the Financial District — by the time it reaches Spadina the streetcars are already full, but if you're getting on at Dufferin you're pretty much guaranteed a seat.”

Panda Markham: Suburban Luxury in the GTA’s North End

Situated between Highways 7 and 407 at Warden Avenue in burgeoning York Region, Brown expressed plenty of excitement about Lifetime’s latest project, Panda Markham. The Cedarland VIVA bus station offers a direct link to Unionville GO station.

This transit-oriented focus of Panda Markham is a key aspect of its appeal. As Brown notes, "It's becoming more of a downtown kind of node, all the way north." Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, the project’s striking design and location have it poised to become a major development in one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities.

Panda Markham, designed by Hariri Pontarini for Lifetime Developments

Midtown Urban Living at 36 Eglinton West

In the bustling heart of Midtown Toronto, Lifetime Developments' 36 Eglinton West, with a design by Wallman Architects, will stand 59 storeys and offer 614 units. The upcoming Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT, will add to the connectivity offered by the existing Yonge Line 1 at Eglinton station. “It is one of Toronto's most connected areas, but add in the new layer of the LRT and it will make it even better connected than it's ever been,” Brown says.

The development is set to offer a mix of residential, retail, and office space, with a distinctive five-story podium that includes multi-level retail spaces and amenities, integrating into Midtown’s vibrant street life.

Looking northeast to 36 Eglinton West, designed by Wallman Architects for Lifetime Developments

A Nod to Sustainability

In response to growing concerns for wellbeing and a push for sustainable living in all of these locales, Lifetime Developments has partnered with Clear, innovating within their residential and commercial projects to advance air and water purification systems. This has led to the installation of state-of-the-art air filtration technologies in the common areas of their buildings, a major boost in urban settings where air quality can be compromised.

"We've incorporated UV lighting at the source where water comes into our buildings to make sure that we are only flowing clean water through our buildings,” Brown shares, “so that the tap water that's coming out of our pipes is just as good as bottled water."

Shaping the Future of Toronto's Neighbourhoods

Looking to the future, Lifetime Developments continues to focus on projects that meet the immediate demands of each neighbourhood's real estate market while anticipating the future needs of its dwellers. As Brown concludes, "The more connected that you can show that your development is, the easier it is for people to make the decision to buy in that location."

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News Roundup for April 19, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 09:30:28 -0400

Kensington non-profit buying more buildings to lease for less; Toronto looks to expand tree canopy with planting on private land; City Council expands legal drinking in parks over objections of some; and other news.

‘They literally saved my life’: Kensington non-profit buying more buildings to lease for less (CityNews)

Toronto looks to expand tree canopy with planting on private land (CBC)

Toronto city council expands legal drinking in parks over objections of some (The Globe and Mail)

Toronto beefs up short-term rental bylaw to crack down on rulebreakers (The Star)

Unhoused people want seat at the table: Toronto advocates (CBC)

A Toronto condo sat on the market for months — then the seller tried open bidding. It sold in just over a week (The Star)

Toronto's vacant home tax to continue with major revisions (CBC)

Weekend need-to-know: Maple Leafs playoffs, cherry blossoms in Toronto (CityNews)

Shimmering Skyline

Craig White — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Among the most sparkling elements on Toronto's skyline are the faceted gold walls of Royal Bank Plaza and the diamond-textured elevations of CIBC SQUARE. Both complexes stand out for both their high reflectivity and their lack of mirrored images on most surfaces, owing to all of the multi-angled planes they present to their surroundings: instead of mirrors, like in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy, we get shine and shimmer that plays with light more than we get complete images bounced back to us.

image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy

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Long Term Care Facility to be Built at Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital

Anthony Teles — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 17:34:30 -0400

Within the Bridgepoint Health Campus in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood, Sinai Health is proposing to build the Bridgepoint Long Term Care (LTC) at Broadview Avenue and Jack Layton Way, a block north of Gerrard Street. Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for, the 20-storey, LTC facility would be situated to the east of Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital which opened in 2013. The new building aims to partly address the critical shortage of beds for Toronto's aging population.

Looking northeast to Bridgepoint Long Term Care (right), Toronto, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for Sinai Health

Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for the building note the critical need for LTC facilities in Ontario, particularly in Toronto where median wait times for placement in a long-term care home have only increased and are projected to worsen. Sinai Health is receiving some funding from the Province as part of its plan to add 30,000 new LTC beds over the next decade. The site, currently vacant, is addressed to 400 Broadview Avenue, and spans approximately 2,380m².

Looking northwest to the current site, image retrieved from Google Maps

The Bridgepoint LTC facility would stand at 102.23m, with a total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 43,880m², and a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 18.4. The design facilitates a total of 392 beds; 312 beds are allocated for long-term care across 13 Resident Home Areas (RHAs) from the third to the eighth and tenth to sixteenth floors. The four uppermost floors (17-20) would house 80 beds for complex continuing care. Additionally, the facility would include specially designed family visiting rooms at the corners of the floor plates, for views of Lake Ontario, downtown Toronto, and the surrounding Don Valley.

Site plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

The application notes that LTC homes typically have 32 beds per floor, but that the site can only accommodate a 24-bed floorplate. To achieve this, the design extends up to each property line, save for a setback along Broadview Avenue on the ground and second floor. The ground floor's layout includes an adult day program space of 412m², which extends to an outdoor terrace of 57m², along with a commercial retail unit spanning 194m².

Looking southwest to Bridgepoint Long Term Care, Toronto, designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for Sinai Health

The development forgoes vehicular parking facilities, capitalizing on the underused existing parking infrastructure of the nearby Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital. For cyclists and visitors, the plan includes 28 long-term bicycle parking spaces situated on the ground floor and an additional 12 short-term spaces conveniently located at grade along Broadview Avenue.

Currently, the site is served by multiple streetcar routes, including the Dundas and King cars which travel along Broadview Avenue, and the Carlton car which travels along Gerrard Street, all a short walk away. Broadview subway station is just over 1km to the north. Looking ahead, the Ontario Line will feature a station at Gerrard Street East and Carlaw Avenue, approximately 850m from the site, while Broadview Avenue will be extended south to a new GO and subway station at East Harbour which will include new streetcar service.

Surrounding current and future transit, image from submission to City of Toronto

The Bridgepoint Campus is undergoing a multi-phased redevelopment aimed at enhancing healthcare services across the area. As the home of the Hennick Bridgepoint Hospital and the historic Don Jail (repurposed as office space), the LTC will take one of three vacant blocks for redevelopment.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

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Canada's Tallest Tower to be Taller, Again

Anthony TelesCraig White — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:08:52 -0400

Recent revisions to the Site Plan Approval (SPA) application for SkyTower, the second phase at Pinnacle One Yonge, include greater detail about the very top of the building, and have led UrbanToronto to revise the final height for what is to be Canada's tallest tower, already under construction at Yonge Street and Lake Shore Boulevard in Downtown Toronto. It's a small difference, but when you're the talking about the future tallest building in the country, every centimetre matters to those who keep track.

Looking north to the latest rendering of Pinnacle One Yonge, with SkyTower being the tallest building in the image, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for Pinnacle International

Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for Pinnacle International, the revised SPA application dated April 8, 2024, follows Toronto City Council having approved amendments in December, 2023 to the Zoning By-law that saw the complex's second phase tower rise from 90 storeys to 105. At that time, the City recognized 344.9m as the tower's new total height, marking the tip of the glass screen that encircles the building's Mechanical Penthouse section at its peak.

The new SPA shows much greater detail for the top of the building, however, including that the Tuned Mass Damper (TMD) — a device used in the tallest buildings to keep them from swaying in the wind — has been redesigned so that its housing is now the highest point of the building. The TMD's housing will peak above the glass screen (or parapet, as per the image below) by an additional 0.7m. At the same time, the glass screen is now 0.1m shorter than before, bringing the new total height to 0.6m higher than previous, or 345.5m. (The heights in the image below are in relation to sea level: ground level of SkyTower is at 77.3 metres above sea level)

The latest architectural rendering of the top of the tower, by Hariri Pontarini Architects

Already a 'supertall' (any building 300m or taller claims that distinction), the now supertaller building will also be the first in Canada to exceed 100 storeys. No other building proposals have yet been approved equal to or beyond that height, making this the country’s tallest building-to-be. The current record holder is First Canadian Place at 298m. That building has held the record since 1975. The One, currently under construction at Bloor and Yonge streets, may surpass the height of First Canadian Place before SkyTower claims the crown.

In the meantime, the most recent shots from the UrbanToronto Forum show that construction of SkyTower has now progressed to 20 storeys high, while the installation of glass curtain wall cladding now reaches the 9th storey, The building will be mostly hotel for its first 12 storeys, with residential condo suiltes starting above the thick transfer slab.

Looking north to the latest construction at Phase 2, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor wmedia

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Originate Developments Achieves Zoning Approval for Two Ambitious Residential Projects

Anthony Teles — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Originate Developments, in collaboration with Cameron Stephens Equity Capital and Westdale Properties, has secured notable zoning approvals for two significant residential projects: Yonge & Rosehill and Jarvis & Earl. These proposals, located in Toronto’s Deer Park and Upper Jarvis neighbourhoods respectively, are set to introduce over 1,400 units combined into Toronto's real estate market. Originate, an infill development firm, is establishing itself as a noteworthy developer in Toronto’s real estate scene, with a robust portfolio and an expanding array of projects.

Situated at the northeast corner of Yonge Street and Rosehill Avenue, the proposed Yonge & Rosehill development has zoning approval for 50 storeys. Designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, with Turner Fleischer Architects as Architect of Record, the mixed-use 172.3m-high development aims to integrate itself into the prestigious Deer Park neighbourhood, offering a backdrop of high-end retailers and vibrant city life, just a short walk south from St Clair station on Yonge Line 1, also served by the St Clair streetcar.

Looking northeast to Yonge & Rosehill, designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects, with Turner Fleischer Architects as Architect of Record, for Originate Developments Inc

The building's design features a 5-storey podium, providing a welcoming presence at street level, while the light-coloured tower incorporates recesses to break up the uniform design. The interiors will be crafted with brightly lit, open-concept spaces.

Adam Sheffer, President and Co-Founder of Originate Developments, expresses his enthusiasm about the project, noting the company is “eager to introduce these housing units to the market and be a part of the vibrant landscape of Yonge and St Clair with this marquee building.” Residents will enjoy quick access to natural spaces such as the Yellow Creek ravine system and David A. Balfour Park.

Meanwhile closer to Toronto's Financial Core, the Jarvis & Earl project, located at the intersection of Jarvis Street and Earl Place, has been zoned as a 58-storey tower, 198.89m-high, encompassing 690 units of mixed-use residential space, including both market-rate rentals and condominiums. This Kirkor Architects Planners-designed structure looks to leverage its prime location equidistant from Yonge and Sherbourne streets, offering residents quick access to Bloor-Yonge and Sherbourne subway stations, and both Lines 1 and 2 on the TTC.

Looking northeast to Jarvis & Earl Place, designed by Kirkor Architects Planners for Originate Developments Inc

The architectural vision for Jarvis & Earl includes a facade featuring a colourful base framing the street-level that gradually gives way to dark glazing and columned balconies as the building reaches skyward, utilizing a more industrial design. Inside, the design focuses on contemporary luxury, with natural materials and sophisticated touches to create an environment that maximizes both space and functionality.

Sean Fleming, Executive Vice President & Managing Director at Cameron Stephens, highlights the successful collaboration with Originate and Westdale, noting that the company works “with stand-out partners, and Originate Developments and Westdale Properties are no exception.”

Their efforts were pivotal in exceeding initial project expectations, including the design for Jarvis & Earl surpassing its initial proposal of 43 storeys to reach its current 58-storey height. “The Yonge and St Clair development and the Jarvis and Earl development set the standard for execution and delivery for Toronto housing,” notes Mitchell Cohen, COO of Westdale Properties.

These developments exemplify Originate Developments' forward-thinking approach to the urban future of the city, seeking to transform underutilized spaces to integrate new developments into established neighbourhoods without disrupting them.

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News Roundup for April 18, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 09:33:00 -0400

Solving the shortage of construction workers is key to housing growth, according to experts; This city-led Toronto food hall in North York closed abruptly after all its vendors were evicted, but now it’s getting a second chance; Ontario is changing what developers pay to build, but Federal Housing Minister says it means ‘higher taxes’; and other news.

Solving shortage of construction workers key to housing growth: experts (CP24)

This city-led Toronto food hall closed abruptly after all its vendors were evicted. Now it’s getting a second chance (The Star)

Ontario is changing what developers pay to build. Feds say it means ‘higher taxes’ (Global News)

Real estate investors, cottage owners could be hit with bigger tax bill following Ottawa’s capital gains change (The Star)

Opinion: The trouble with transit-oriented development (The Globe and Mail)

Opposition grills government on UP Express service change U-turn (CBC)

TTC weekend closures will affect 5 subway stations on Line 2 (The Star)

Person responsible for vacant home tax rollout no longer with city, Chow says as she vows to fix the program (CP24)

Mayor says new federal funding will help Toronto's cash crunch (CBC)

Layered

Craig White — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Looking up at the CIBC SQUARE North Tower, currently under construction in Downtown Toronto, the view from the south side as in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor mburrrrr, shows a progression from top to bottom, the time spent on the building being presented in layers of accreted work. Up top, the crane presides over the Auto Climbing System forms used to create the central elevator core of the building. Some dozen levels below, steel framing is being for the floors (you can gradually see more components in place on successively lower sections), followed by a weather protection system behind which concrete work is taking place, the result of which you can see on the levels below the weather protection. Finally, the glass exterior is now in place over the first four floors of office space.

Looking up at the CIBC SQUARE North Tower under construction in Toronto, one can see a layered progression of work, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor mburrrrr

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Sustainability Month: The Combined Power of Bike + Subway + RER

Reece Martin — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 17:00:40 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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The way people get around Toronto is changing, and the pace of change is likely to accelerate dramatically in coming years as the number of people both riding transit and cycling for transportation dramatically increases. The degree to which this will change is like nothing the city — and the region for that matter — has yet seen, and will completely transform how we get around, and how the city looks.

Downtown portion of the Toronto Cycling Map, 2024, image courtesy of the City of Toronto

The idea of there being a “war on cars” is a long-held one in Toronto, but if such a war exists it's a war of attrition. While many people in the city still drive, the fundamental geometric reality of limited space and increasing density alongside essentially no major new road capacity, means that for decades, the only expansion in transportation capacity in the city has come in the form of new transit and expanded transit service. This process is accelerating as Toronto is currently building more transit, all at once, than it ever has before and, at the same time, cycling has grown enormously in popularity as a way of getting around, enjoying some fresh air, and beating traffic. It seems inevitable that in a decade or two, people in Toronto will look back on the old ways people got around the city — overwhelmingly in private vehicles, on buses, and only two subway lines — and wonder how we ever got by.

Probably the most visible elements, so far, of our ongoing transformation are the new bike lanes and bike share stations popping up across the city. What was once limited mostly to the downtown core has spread far further, with bike lanes sprouting up in North York, Etobicoke, and Scarborough, and bike share well on its way to being citywide with the major expansion plan it’s been undertaking over the last few years (watched closed by many on the UrbanToronto Forum).

A Bike Share station in Parkdale, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor kotsy

At the same time, in central parts of the city, the bike network has grown up a lot: already, the city’s primary transit arteries (Yonge, and Bloor/Danforth) have become its main cycling routes. Not only has this been a big boost for mobility, but the reduction in space for cars brought on by the bike lanes as well as all the new activity has made the streets feel more vibrant than ever.

Now, to be sure, the forward progress of the bike network is happening in a rather decentralized way, sometimes feeling disconnected and disorganized, but I think this is only reflective of the strong desire to get more lanes and infrastructure out on streets as soon as possible — no doubt influenced by the horrible road safety created by the car-oriented and car-priority transportation system the city had reinforced for so long.

Looking south along Yonge Street in the Summerhill area, image by Reece Martin

‘These aren’t accidents’

Second cyclist death in Scarborough sparks anger over lack of bike lanes (Toronto Star)

That decentralization can create real challenges: an issue with a bike network like Toronto’s is it’s hard to get a grasp of as a new cyclist, short of riding a lot and remembering the corridors that you found the most confidence-inspiring. For example, you may not know about Shaw Street if you’re really just a pedestrian and transit rider, but if you regularly go out on two wheels, this north-south cycle superhighway on the west side is a lifesaver.

There is a real need to create a better system for navigating and classifying bike routes, since yesterday's “bike lane” is today's “painted bicycle gutter.” At the same time, with construction a constant presence, closures and diversions are common and we have not yet quite mastered the art of temporary bike lanes. That being said, much of the current growth Toronto is seeing in cycling is likely on the back of “temporary” lanes. Bike routes such as on University Avenue — slapped down in the pandemic — look rather rough, but are among the city's most useful.

Looking east along bi-directional bike lanes on Mill Street in the Canary District, image by Reece Martin`

And those new lanes aren’t the only things that have had a big impact on people-centric transport in the city. Over the past few years, eagle-eyed pedestrians have probably noticed new “armadillos'' and tighter curbs, encouraging drivers to slow down and look for pedestrians across the city, as well as other changes like 'leading pedestrian intervals' where the walk signal happens several seconds before the green light to enhance pedestrian visibility. That's not to mention new moveable speed cameras and reduced speed limits. These changes are creating a very positive impact for people getting around the city by slowing down cars and improving safety — and they benefit everyone — be it a person walking to the bus stop, someone walking to the office after dropping off their Bike Share bike, or someone who drove downtown for work and is getting lunch.

Everything isn’t quite so rough-and-tumble though: new bike lanes on College Street almost look Danish in design, and the prospect of the dedicated lanes in other parts of the city getting the same attractive permanent design to replace the paint and flexi-posts is very exciting. At the same time, Toronto is set to see its first downtown protected cycle intersection in the not so distant future when the intersection of Bloor and St George is reconstructed to feature a Dutch-style design, with separate waiting spaces for cyclists interconnected seamlessly into the Bloor bike lane. While the network is certainly growing out, it’s also clearly growing up.

Looking east down Bloor at the new Dutch-style intersection with St George, image courtesy of the City of Toronto

That said, there's clearly still a way to go. For one, as cycling grows in popularity, multi-use paths across the city from the Waterfront to the West Toronto Railpath would likely benefit from a multi-point adjustment, as the poor delineation of space between ever-growing numbers of cyclists and pedestrians is bound to create conflict and accidents. Bike Share Toronto, while having experienced stratospheric growth since the pandemic and is continuing to expand aggressively, also needs to seriously improve the basic operations of its network. At the moment, it's far too common to find empty docks uphill uptown and dead ebikes; better balancing and far more charging stations are needed in short order if we want to keep the public bike momentum up.

There are also clear places where we need to learn from the global bike infrastructure champions in the Netherlands: one example is parking. Right now, Toronto is woefully undersupplied with easily-accessible secured bike parking at train stations, and transit operators are desperately trying to keep up with a surge in demand for space on transit to move around bikes and ebikes. These attempts will likely be in vain, and as the Netherlands shows, the solution to this problem are large, secure facilities at train and subway stations (as well as more bike racks and lockers everywhere else). Some progress is being made on this front, but bike parking areas are often poorly-signed, and access and signage are not standardised (different facilities often have different operators), meaning these facilities really only work well for commuters who always make the same trip. With all the new bike parking coming online across all the new transit stations being built in the city, it would be wise to implement a seamless wayfinding system and a consistent way of accessing these areas, perhaps with the tap of a Presto card.

Cycle-in bike parking at Utrecht Stationsplein, Netherlands, image via City of Utrecht

There's also a big need to change how we think about parking at new developments. While provisions for bike storage have long been included in new buildings in Toronto, taking inspiration from the Netherlands and incorporating features like the ability to easily ride your bike into the storage area would likely enhance safety and take a load off of elevators.

All of that bike parking will be a game-changer for the city as it undertakes a rail expansion program that will more than double the size of Toronto’s existing rail system. With new and expanded light rail and subway lines, and the total overhaul of the GO train network, that is already moving along.

(https://urbantoronto.ca/news/2024/03/go-lakeshore-expansion-torontos-first-taste-rer.55507)

Bikes will likely be a key element in the success of many of Toronto’s latest transit projects as so many of them — from the Finch West line to the extensions of the Yonge and Bloor subways — will be suburban in nature. While frequent and high-quality bus service has been a key part of the GTA’s transportation landscape for decades, bikes have a real role to play for places that are in between — not quite subway-topping transit-oriented development, but also not far enough away from the train that going to a bus stop and waiting makes much sense. For a ring between five hundred metres and four or five kilometres around every single rail station in the city (but particularly in the suburbs), there is huge potential to get passengers to the station on bikes instead of in buses. Shifting some of this traffic to two wheels would not only make for a pleasant last-mile journey experience for tons of riders, but it would also enhance the existing bus services that exist, reducing crowding and allowing for higher speeds.

Secure bicycle parking room, Union Station, Toronto, image courtesy of the City of Toronto

It’s probably not quite landed for most people yet, but that rail expansion is going to fundamentally reshape the city — even without taking into account the powerful pairing of transit and bikes. Today, you can essentially get to all corners of Toronto by frequent transit (as long as you’re willing to walk a bit), but the overwhelming majority of the service is provided by local buses, which, to be sure, are generally fairly modern and convenient, but are painfully slow, often inconsistent in travel time, and liable to disruption in a way that you don’t really see with fixed guideway rail service. The big change we will see as more and more transit comes online over the next decade is that increasingly you’ll be able to travel to all corners of the city by rail plus bike.

Right now, while the subway in Toronto manages to connect an impressive number of major trip generators there are still a lot of unconnected destinations, poorly-connected dense communities and dead zones. Humber College, Jane and Finch, Liberty Village, Leslieville, The Aga Khan Museum, Sunnybrook Park, Flemington and Thorncliffe Park; all of these locations currently rely entirely on buses to connect people to-and-from them and the rest of the city. But, in just a decade (or fifteen years to be safe), every single one of them will be served by relatively fast and consistent rail transit. While some (including myself) have lamented the speeds we are likely to see on surface light rail routes in Toronto, they will still be an enormous upgrade for people, and if you’re travelling in a wheelchair, or with a stroller, suitcase, or bike, things like large, level-boarding platforms will be a godsend.

Thorncliffe Park station concept for Ontario Line 3, image courtesy of Metrolinx

At the same time, there is likely to be a ridership explosion when projects like the Eglinton Crosstown, the Ontario Line, and GO RER bring rapid transit service to some of the city's densest neighbourhoods that up until now have had somewhat limited access to fast, high-capacity transit. Places like Yonge and Eglinton, the West Don Lands, and Humber Bay Shores will suddenly become incredible transit nodes when we bring the transit to go along with the transit-oriented development.

While I think ridership success is inevitable with growing density, improved non-car travel options, and loads of new transit options, what isn’t clear is just how many new transit riders will get on board. While the Vaughan subway extension that opened back in the 2010s has not exactly been a ridership blowout, all of these new projects built along long underserved or already heavily-trafficked transit corridors are likely to be an entirely different story. That being said, fixing some of our most stubborn problems could be the difference between a version of Toronto's transit system that looks like an upgraded and expanded version of today's system, or something entirely different.

Outdated Woodbine GO/Finch West LRT combined station concept, image courtesy of Woodbine Entertainment Group

One thing that is still desperately needed is the closing of a number of key gaps in the transit network that should unlock tons of ridership as new people are brought into the transit fold and new routes become possible. Line 2 and the Eglinton Crosstown should be connected to the Lakeshore East line through some sort of extension east to (the confusingly named) Eglinton station — something that will only be made harder with the complete lack of foresight shown in the design of the Scarborough subway extension that supposedly blocks an eastern extension of the Crosstown from its platform at Kennedy station even just a few kilometres. Another roughly two-and-a-half kilometre gap exists between the Finch West LRT and the Kitchener GO corridor, which, if closed, would connect people from North Toronto and York region to the redeveloped Woodbine site, Pearson Airport, and more, while also enabling all kinds of new regional journeys like Brampton to Humber College, which will only be made more obvious by the provinces new “One Fare” fare integration scheme. Of course, there also needs to eventually be a solution for the divide in the transit system in North York, which could be fixed by extending the Sheppard subway west to Downsview or probably more likely the Finch West LRT east to Yonge street.

It will also be crucial that as the GO train system continues to be upgraded that it becomes more and more in line with the urban rapid transit system. That will mean some sort of enhanced fare integration scheme that brings TTC subway and GO fares in line for urban journeys, integrated wayfinding and passenger information, and the adoption of more of the creature comforts seen on the subway at GO stations such as next train countdown clocks, frequent bus connections, and likely even directly-integrated developments.

Langstaff Gateway area, where a new subway station and rebuilt GO station would serve a new high-density community, designed by Arcadis and Calthorpe Associates for Langstaff Land Holdings Ltd (Condor Properties and Kylemore Communities)

It might not be entirely clear how these two transportation systems come together, but picture this: With new and enhanced bike lanes linking up all of our new transit stations, people will easily be able to get to fast, frequent transit by rail, and since most people can bike five kilometres in less than 20 minutes, the vast majority of the city of Toronto’s population will be within an easy bike ride of rapid transit in just a few years.

In many ways, transit plus cycling creates a complete zero-emissions transportation solution for the city, with bikes allowing for fine-grained first-and-last mile connections to and from origins and destinations not directly served by rail, and the rail system allowing for quick cross city and indeed cross-regional travel that can get you within a few kilometres of almost anywhere in the city quite efficiently.

That easy bike access to a dramatically expanded suburban rail network will put almost all of Toronto’s inner suburbs within close proximity to rail transit, creating an effect similar to what you see with the streetcars in the old city of Toronto, where you’re never too long of a walk away, but on a dramatically larger scale. This is all placed on top of dramatically-improved transit downtown courtesy of automatic train control on the Yonge Line, new trains on the Bloor Line, enhanced and expanded stations, plus GO Expansion and the Ontario Line, and the core of the current transit system will also be majorly expanded and improved.

Existing, under construction, and proposed expansions to rapid transit lines in Toronto, image courtesy of the Province of Ontario

This, when combined with new cycling options, will make getting around the city's densest areas easier than ever before, allowing for alternatives when transit isn’t running (or working), and letting more people than ever get around the city; and they have to, because we are no longer building a city solely for cars.

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Reece Martin is the creator and host of RMTransit, a YouTube channel focused on transit, infrastructure, and development around the world, with extensive knowledge and professional experience as a transportation planner.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png?2[/img]

Daniels' OMG2 Offers EV Charging at Brampton Condo Homes

Anthony Teles — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:04:01 -0400

All this month, UrbanToronto is shining a spotlight on sustainable urban development, looking at initiatives that embody forward-thinking environmental stewardship. In Brampton's Bram West neighbourhood, The Daniels Corporation's OMG2 (Olivia Marie Gardens Phase 2), designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects, is offering electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure for its low-rise condominium project.

Located at 58-62 Sky Harbour Drive on Brampton's west side, just east of Mississauga Road and north of Olivia Marie Road, OMG2 comprises two 4-storey buildings, each housing 67 suites.

OMG2, image courtesy of The Daniels Corporation

OMG2's EV infrastructure is in line with The Daniels Corporation's increasing focus on sustainability, as seen with its decarbonization roadmap. It emphasizes the minimization of Whole Life Carbon, referring to the total carbon emissions associated with a building over its entire lifespan. All Daniels projects which began development between 2021 and 2025 are committed to achieving a 40% reduction compared to the baseline established from Daniels' projects developed between 2018 and 2020. Looking ahead, communities developed from 2026 onwards will aim to achieve Near-Zero Whole Life Carbon.

OMG2 is playing its part in this with its turnkey Electric Vehicle Charging Station Upgrade Package. This offering provides residents with fully installed Level 2 electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE), supporting the charging of any North American EV. The embedded billing-grade electricity meter ensures that consumption is metered and billed directly to the owner through the Electric Vehicle Energy Management System (EVEMS), separate from the suite's electrical consumption.

Daniels' decarbonization roadmap for developments which began development between 2021 and 2025, image courtesy of The Daniels Corporation

In response to the growing demand for accessible and convenient EV charging solutions, Daniels has planned accessible parking stalls with EV charging capabilities, ensuring that all residents can benefit from this eco-friendly feature. The Level 2 charging stations provide sufficient power to efficiently charge an EV for the average user.

To ensure compatibility and flexibility, OMG2's EV chargers will be Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP)-compliant, allowing any Electric Vehicle Energy Management System (EVEMS) provider to offer their services to the condominium for system management. This open-source approach guarantees that residents can charge any North American EV, including Teslas, with ease.

As EV adoption continues to rise, OMG2 is well-prepared for future expansion. The EVEMS incorporates load management capabilities, regulating charge speeds when the total load of all installed chargers surpasses the property's capacity. This smart feature allows for the addition of more EV chargers without the need to upsize electrical infrastructure, ensuring that more residents can access these services as demand grows.

Beyond its impressive EV infrastructure, OMG2 boasts a host of other features that contribute to a comfortable and sustainable lifestyle. The fully glazed, large windows and balcony sliding doors will be double-glazed with low-E coatings and filled with argon gas for optimal energy efficiency. The buildings' exteriors are designed with premium bricks and fibre cement panels, complemented by low-maintenance pre-finished aluminum fascia, soffits, and vinyl casement windows.

In-suite kitchen and living room, OMG2, image courtesy of The Daniels Corporation

Inside, residents will enjoy approximately 9' high finished ceilings in suites, and kitchens with a choice of granite or quartz countertops. Furthering OMG2's sustainable approach, the bathrooms are equipped with low-water consumption toilets and low-flow showerheads, alongside aesthetic touches like clear glass shower enclosures complete with chrome finish frames and white acrylic bases.

Move-in ready suites are now available starting from the mid $500s. For more information, interested parties are encouraged to visit the weekly open houses or contact The Daniels Corporation directly.

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Canada Lands Company Advances Downsview Lands Transformation

Anthony Teles — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 11:00:00 -0400

Canada Lands Company (CLC), a federal Crown corporation, has been at the forefront of reintegrating surplus Government of Canada properties into mixed-use communities for nearly three decades. "We're a national company focused on transforming and reintegrating former federal lands into their surrounding communities with projects from coast to coast," Stéphan Déry, President and CEO, told UrbanToronto in a recent interview, along with David Anselmi, Regional Director of Real Estate.

With a portfolio of 23 projects and 429 hectares, CLC’s goals come down to crafting complete communities, enhancing local economies, and providing Canadians with a range of benefits including housing, parks, and commercial amenities. As the main real estate redevelopment arm of the Government of Canada, CLC operates on behalf of its singular shareholder, placing it in a unique position in the national development dialogue.

Downsview West, by Canada Lands Company, sourced from id8 Framework Plan – Future Rail Bridge over East-West Street

With the Downsview Lands in Toronto's Downsview area, Canada Lands is looking to play its part in addressing the housing crisis through innovative development and sustainable urban design. Déry notes that, "In the middle of a housing crisis, with support from municipalities and the provincial government, CLC can accelerate the development of our lands, especially in Toronto."

For this massive endeavour, CLC partnered with Northcrest Developments to create the shared vision through a process called id8 Downsview, to inform the City’s new Downsview Secondary Plan for the former airport and surplus Government of Canada lands that at one point made up the Canadian Forces Base Toronto.

The 520-acre masterplan, covering an area known for its military and aviation history, is now poised to become a thriving urban space, including significant affordable housing options. "In partnership with the City (of Toronto), we can accelerate development and build more housing faster, on a beautiful parcel of land connected to nature," Déry adds.

2024 National Urban Design Award

Recognizing the quality of the vision for the lands, the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, the Canadian Institute of Planners, and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects have bestowed a 2024 National Urban Design Award in the Urban Design Plans category upon the Downsview Framework Plan. This accolade recognizes the collaborative effort of architects, planners, engineers, and landscape architects who have contributed to the master plan.

Déry reflects that, “This was a three-year endeavour that included robust public consultation, collaboration with the City of Toronto, and numerous inspirational workshops and design sessions to achieve a community plan with people and nature at its heart.”

Downsview West District

Situated directly beside the Downsview Park subway and GO station, and north of the expansive Downsview Park, Downsview West, CLC's first district within the Downsview Framework Plan is set to transform the local landscape. This 30-hectare transit-oriented development will introduce over 8,000 new residential units, with 20% designated for affordable housing, alongside 1.4 million ft² of non-residential space. The area will also feature new parks, community services, and educational facilities.

Downsview West, by Canada Lands Company, sourced from Downsview West District – Future Fire Hall Park

"We are preparing to submit a new district plan by this Summer, which will be the first under the new emerging Secondary Plan to be approved," explains Anselmi. "It's an incredible opportunity, distinguished in part by the repurposing of the Depot Building, a significant distribution warehouse into a new icon for the neighbourhood."

Arbo

Looking northwest to a Demonstration Plan of the Arbo neighbourhood, designed by The Planning Partnership for Canada Lands Company, sourced from Arbo neighbourhood District Plan application

Formerly known as the William Baker District, Arbo will be a transit-oriented development within walking distance of Downsview Park subway and GO stations. The 25-hectare project is near shovel-ready, with its first phase set to introduce 1,400 units, of which a minimum of 280 units, or 20%, are affordable housing. The full neighbourhood is expected to include approximately 4,000 units upon completion.

Anselmi offers insight into the site's development: "Arbo is already underway, being reviewed under the 2011 Secondary Plan. We're looking for Draft Plan of Subdivision approval imminently." The Arbo neighbourhood is designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding natural environment, featuring a preserved 4.8-hectare woodlot and a 3.8-hectare ecological park.

Anselmi further highlights the project's sustainability, noting, "One of the guiding principles of Arbo is the idea of green infrastructure as an influencing system within the development."

An aerial view looking northeast to the future site of CLC's Arbo neighbourhood, designed by The Planning Partnership for Canada Lands Company

Ongoing Collaboration with Centennial College

A pivotal element of CLC's vision for Downsview is its collaboration with Centennial College to advance and grow their Downsview Aerospace Campus at 65 Carl Hall Road. "We're working with Centennial College to envision what the campus will look like in the next 5 to 10 years," says Stéphan Déry. "Our goal is not just to build homes but to build an integrated community.”

Centennial College Downsview Campus, designed by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects, Stantec

* * *

News Roundup for April 17, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 09:33:00 -0400

Mayor Chow encouraged by the federal budget focused on housing, but disappointed at the lack of funding for subway trains; a high-rise project near Bayview Village is proposing to incorporate Toronto’s first Catholic school in a condo building; in the federal budget, Ottawa looks to Canada Post land for building housing supply; and other news.

Chow encouraged by housing-focused federal budget, disappointed at lack of funding for subway trains (CityNews)

A highrise project near Bayview Village is proposing to incorporate Toronto’s first Catholic school in a condo building (The Star)

In federal budget, Ottawa looks to Canada Post land for building housing supply (CP24)

Ontario transportation minister orders Metrolinx to scrap UP Express service changes (CityNews)

A bylaw meant to transform Thorncliffe Park is failing (CBC)

‘This was worse than I was expecting’: Gardiner construction snarls traffic on nearby routes (The Star)

Ontario hopes to start building Highway 413 within a year (CBC)

Catching Rays

Craig White — Wed, 17 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Looking west along Front Street from Church Street in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor kotsy, CIBC SQUARE's North Tower catches late day sun after all the Downtown Toronto east-side buildings in the foreground are no longer getting any.

CIBC SQUARE's North Tower catches late day sun after all the Downtown Toronto east-side buildings no longer get any, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor kotsy

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A Look at Maple House and Birch House of Canary Landing

Anthony Teles — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 18:10:45 -0400

The buildings of Canary Landing have captured considerable attention on the UrbanToronto Forum. Nestled around Toronto's Distillery District on Front Street East, Cherry Street, and Mill Street, the Canary Landing community is an ambitious blend of residential living, retail, and vibrant public spaces. This expansive multi-block development includes first phase Maple House, the under-construction Birch House and Cherry House, and the upcoming Oak House.

With work on the public realm surrounding Maple House in its final stages, Tricon Residential, in partnership with Dream Unlimited, Kilmer Group, and Anishnawbe Health Toronto, is looking ahead to the next phase, Birch House, which is progressing through construction, targeting move-ins of its rental suites by the end of this year. While the Maple House buildings are designed by COBE Architects and architects—Alliance, Birch House's design is from the collaborative efforts of BDP Quadrangle, Two Row Architect, and Stantec.

An aerial view looking northeast to Maple House, image courtesy of Tricon

As the largest residential project of its kind in Canada, Canary Landing is a response to Toronto’s housing shortage with its considerable supply of purpose-built rental units, including a significant proportion of affordable housing. With 770 rental units, Maple House stands just steps from the Distillery Streetcar Loop, providing swift transit access to the downtown core. The project's design prioritizes sustainability, and is aiming for LEED Gold certification.

With work continuing on the public realm, we see the lower floors neatly wrapped in a mix of rich, brick-faced cladding, while the upper levels display textured sections of scalloped precast panels.

Exterior of Maple House at Canary Landing, image courtesy of Tricon

Maple House has garnered attention with its design and social integration, offering a checkerboard layout of market and affordable units, making its mark in a district renowned for its restored Victorian-era architecture. The project's partnership comprises provincial land, municipal incentives, and federal financing, creating a government and private sector collaboration. This innovative model is celebrated with awards such as the 2022 BILD Best New Community and a nod from the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel for excellence in residential design. Additionally, the residents living at Maple House have expressed a positive living experience, which is a testament to Tricon Residential's people first - community-building property management approach.

Garden, image courtesy of Tricon

With its green technologies propelling its quest for LEED Gold certification, Maple House’s environmentally conscious approach is complemented by a diverse amenity program catering to wellness and social engagement, aiming to offer high standards in rental housing.

In-suite kitchen at Maple House, image courtesy of Tricon

Maple House’s architecture exhibits a marriage of industrial heritage and sleek modernism. Influenced by the neighbouring Distillery District, featuring masonry podiums and silhouetted towers, reminiscent of historic tank houses and industrial silos. The synergy between the Danish architectural firm COBE and local partners architects—Alliance aims for thoughtful urban design, providing pedestrian-friendly spaces around the buildings.

As the conversation shifts to Birch House, this next chapter in Canary Landing will offer 237 one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental suites and townhomes, and an array of amenities. The development's interplay of brickwork and contemporary materials creates a visual dialogue between the old and the new. The brick is patterned after indigenous woven baskets, with the facade punctuated by expansive windows.

An aerial view of Block 10, including Birch House, Canary House, and the Indigenous Hub, image courtesy of Tricon

Birch House shares a block with the Anishnawbe Health Toronto Indigenous Community Health Centre and an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, offering health and wellness services and showcasing the cultural richness of Toronto's indigenous communities. Its vision is one of a comprehensive living experience where residential, health, cultural, and childcare facilities coexist seamlessly.

Looking northeast to Birch House and the Indigenous Hub, image courtesy of Tricon

The Hub’s exterior, above, characterized by curvilinear forms and dark cladding, stands in contrast to Birch House’s lighter exteriors. Construction machinery, including a cherry picker and boom lift, are pictured at grade behind temporary fences as the final touches on Birch House's exteriors are underway.

Additionally, Birch House also shares the block with a heritage preservation — currently underway — of the old Canary Restaurant, which the development will benefit from.

The heritage building at Canary House, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

Canary Landing's phases exemplify Toronto’s adaptive reuse of heritage elements among its modern urban development, with Maple House now renting and aiming to be fully occupied this year, and Birch House set to be available for move-ins in Q4 2024, future residents can find more details about their availability at canarylanding.com.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on these developments, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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The Whitfield's Podium Takes Shape in the St Lawrence Neighbourhood

Anthony Teles — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 13:24:16 -0400

Just a short walk east of the St Lawrence Market, construction is progressing on the podium of The Whitfield, a 39-storey mixed-use development from Menkes Developments and Core Development Group. Designed by Giannone Petricone Associates, the project at 153 Front Street East is bringing 484 new condo units plus retail space to Toronto's St Lawrence neighbourhood.

Looking northeast to The Whitfield at 33 Sherbourne, designed by Giannone Petricone Associates for Menkes and Core Development Group

In this first photo from last month, The Whitfield's podium is beginning to assert itself at the intersection of Sherbourne Street and Front Street East, now standing three storeys. A series of columns supplemented by shoring posts support the recently cast concrete slab of the dynamically curved second story, while weatherproofing tarp drapes the third storey where work is ongoing.

The view from Front Street East and Sherbourne Street, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor dufferin1

Repositioning ourselves to the east along Front Street East, we look back to the northwest in a more recent photo to see the south elevation of the curving podium floors, now grown to four storeys.

Looking west to the south elevation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor slicecom

On the north side of The Whitfield we get a westward view down Abbey Lane Alley to movements of the tower crane, here mid-operation, hoisting weighty materials from street level into the building site. Below, the elevation is flanked by protective black netting, with hoarding and scaffolding securing the site.

The tower crane transporting materials via the alleyway, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor evandyk

Finally, we have a perspective from beside The Whitfield to the north, giving us a look from above. Central to the site, a red concrete boom pump stands ready for the next pour. To the right, a recently poured floor slab is punctuated by rebar projecting vertically out of it where walls will soon be formed, while on the left, the forms are already in place at the east end of the podium for its next level. There, the wooden tops of the forms will soon have rebar and conduit placed in anticipation of another floor slab to be created.

An aerial view of ongoing formwork for the podium, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor evandyk

The podium is on its way to 8 storeys before the building switches to smaller floors for the tower levels. Horizontal bands of brickwork will front the podium levels, the design intended to resonate with the earlier buildings of the St Lawrence Heritage Conservation District, while at ground level, two 1900s facades of the Whitfield, Pearlman, and Goldberg buildings — overseen by heritage architects GBCA Architects — will be incorporated into the base. The Whitfield is targeting occupancy in December 2025 upon reaching its final 130m height. In addition to the 484 condo units, the development will add new retail frontages animating Front and Sherbourne streets.

* * *

EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been republished with a correction in the first paragraph, replacing "rental" with "condo."

* * *

News Roundup for April 16, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 10:42:45 -0400

Ontario adds 300 GO train trips a week in the GTA; Toronto exploring school land sales to address housing crisis; Ontario’s Highway 413 moving forward after governments reach agreement; and other news.

Ontario adds 300 GO train trips a week in the GTA (CityNews)

Toronto exploring school land sales to address housing crisis (CBC)

Roadblock cleared: Ontario’s Highway 413 moving forward after governments reach agreement (Global News)

TTC implements 14 slow-speed zones across subway Lines 1, 2 due to track issues (CityNews)

Ontario's biggest hydro dams to get $1B life extension (CBC)

TTC streetcar service resumes at Dundas West Station after power failure shut down service, police say (The Star)

Ford government questions usefulness of fourplex policies citing low uptake (Global News)

Ottawa and Ontario announce deal to scrap Highway 413 impact assessment (CBC)

Windbreak Work

Craig White — Tue, 16 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

The bulk of the skyscrapers rising in Toronto these days are designed with a tower and podium massing, and not everyone knows that this design is preferred by the City for a couple reasons, one being that podium levels stop wind that races down the face of a building from getting to sidewalk level and blowing pedestrians off their feet. Where there is no podium, like here on the Bay Street side of the CIBC SQUARE North Tower, under construction in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Johnny Au, the building (like its older sibling to the south) is designed with a canopy that will catch down-blasts of wind and divert them horizontally instead, where they will dissipate,

Crew members work on the canopy at the CIBC SQUARE North Tower, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Johnny Au

* * *

An Aerial Tour of Construction at The Residences at Central Park

Anthony Teles — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 16:16:40 -0400

With the erection of the tower crane in late January, the first phase of Amexon’s The Residences at Central Park is making steady construction progress in North York. Now, thanks to drone imagery by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey, we have an eagle-eyed perspective of the construction at the site. Designed by Core Architects, the master-planned community at the northwest corner of Leslie Street and Sheppard Avenue East is progressing towards its 12-acre vision, a combination of residential luxury, offices, retail, and natural greenery at the eastern extent of Toronto's Bayview Village neighbourhood.

Looking northeast to The Residences at Central Park, designed by Core Architects for Amexon

Looking top-down from above the tower crane, we get a comprehensive view of the phase one segment of the construction site. Below, rebar forms a grid for the next concrete slab section to the right of the crane. To the left, plenty of other construction materials are placed where they will be next needed, while more materials wait at grade. A vibrant orange tarp outlines the site's perimeter, clinging to the shoring walls and helping maintain the foundation's integrity.

An overhead view of the north end of the construction site, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey

We pull back to the southeast corner of the site, to see where the next phases will be built. Here rest an array of excavators and earth movers, their vibrant hues of red, yellow, and green standing out. Central to the image is an earthen ramp to provide graded access between the various levels.

Looking northwest to excavators and a dirt ramp leading down to the lower section of the excavation, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey

From the southwest we get a sweeping overview of the construction site set against the backdrop of the East Don parkland and the neighbourhoods of North York. Part of the construction process has involved securing tree protection zones along with erosion and sediment control measures to protect the green space. In the foreground, the eco-conscious design of the wedge-shaped Central Park sales pavilion is noticeable, with its green roof system.

The eastern elevation with orange tarp walls and the surrounding East Don Parkland, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey

Finally, we turn to look southeast. At the construction site on the left, the tower crane stands amid the first completed concrete walls and slabs. We get a clear view of the different tiers of the excavation, from the tower crane to the central earthen ramp, to excavators below and at grade. The Central Park sales pavilion is to the right now. Its design, with expansive glass panels and white framing, garnered the Ontario Home Builders' Association (OHBA) award for the best New Home Sales Office. Once this 10,000 ft² building is nom longer needed as a scales centre, it is set to become an event venue. Alongside it, the anticipated relocation of the Oriole GO station promises to enhance connectivity for future residents, with the GO's Richmond Hill line running parallel to the western boundary of the site. Just across Sheppard Avenue to the south, Leslie subway station can be seen.

Looking southeast to the initial formwork on the left, and the Amexon sales pavilion to the right, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey

Upon completion, the master-planned community will encompass five buildings ranging from 12 to 31 storeys, or 46.5m to 69.5m. It will provide 1,478 residential units, merging nature and the city, with both the Leslie subway and Oriole GO stations a short walk away.

* * *

Proposal Across from St James Park Grows to 65 Storeys

Anthony Teles — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:24:48 -0400

Across the street from St James Park in Downtown Toronto, a fully reworked proposal is the latest in multiple submissions for redevelopment at 110 Adelaide Street East. A collaboration between Stafford Developments and Greybrook Realty Partners, the submission entails a 65-storey mixed-use building designed by Arcadis. Located on the north side of Adelaide Street East just west of Jarvis Street, it would integrate residential, retail, and office spaces, positioned northeast of the iconic St James Cathedral, and within walking distance of the future Moss Park station on Ontario Line 3.

Looking northwet to 110 Adelaide East, Toronto, designed by Arcadis for Greybrook & Stafford Developments

Addressed to 110 and112 Adelaide Street East and 85 Lombard Street, the site is approximately 1,306m² in area. It currently houses a 4-storey office building serving as the offices of SvN, extending across the full depth of the property with frontages on both Adelaide and Lombard Streets.

Looking northeast to the current site, image retrieved from Google Maps

In February, 2020, an earlier Zoning By-law Amendment application was submitted by the former owner, 110 Adelaide Street East Inc. It outlined a plan for a 42-storey mixed-use building designed by SvN.

Initial Design, Looking west to 110 Adelaide East, designed by SvN, image via submission to the City of Toronto

In response to feedback, a revised application scaled this down to 36 storeys. This submission was quickly followed by another adjustment to 39 storeys. In November, 2023, Greybrook and Stafford Homes acquired the site.

Previous design of 110 Adelaide East looking northeast, designed by SvN for Windmill Development Group

The latest Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Control application proposes a tower reaching 217.6m, with an 8-storey podium along Adelaide Street and a distinctive 10-storey base building element that extends north to Lombard Street. It would house 600 residential units, with ground level featuring 137m² of retail space, directly accessible from Adelaide Street.

Podium, 110 Adelaide East, designed by Arcadis for Greybrook & Stafford Developments

The Gross Floor Area (GFA) entails 36,370m² allocated for residential use, 400m² for retail, and 330m² for office uses, leading to a density of 28.41 FSI. Additionally, the building would be equipped with five elevators, for a ratio of one elevator per 120 units, which, could lead to longer wait times during peak hours.

The development is planned to include 1,220m² of outdoor and 480m² of indoor amenities, with the second floor also hosting a significant portion of the office space (297.2m²) and a 590m² indoor amenity area.

Site plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

Reflecting the City of Toronto’s push towards transit-oriented development, no underground vehicular parking is proposed for this site. Instead, the plan includes ample bicycle parking, with spaces at grade and on mezzanine levels, totalling 540 long-term and 120 short-term spaces.

Queen and King stations on Yonge Line 1 are both within an approximate 8-minute walk, providing swift access to north-south transit routes. Additionally, the 504 King and 501 Queen streetcar routes are just a 3 to 4-minute walk away. For cyclists, Adelaide Street features a dedicated cycle track, paired with an opposite-direction track on Richmond Street, while access to both long-term and short-term bicycle parking is off Lombard Street.

An aerial view looking northeast to 110 Adelaide East, designed by Arcadis for Greybrook & Stafford Developments

Historically characterized by low- to mid-rise buildings, this neighbourhood, located to the east of the bustling Financial District is evolving in response to the diminishing availability of development sites closer to the city’s commercial heart. A block and a half east of the site, Celeste Condominiums is being built, set to rise to 39 storeys. To the west, The Saint and Alias are under construction, slated for 47 and 48 storeys, respectively. Northwards, the 52-storey 88 Queen is under construction, while closer by, 100 Lombard Street is proposed at 59 storeys.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

Multiple nearby buildings planned or under construction also feature a design by Arcadis, including the 34-storey Queen Central, 40-storey 133 Queen East, and 59-storey 119-127 Church Street.

* * *

News Roundup for April 15, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 09:33:00 -0400

Ontario Premier and transportation minister to make announcement in Milton; after nearly seven months these North York renters are still refusing to pay rent — and have no plans to start; close to 20 per cent of office space in Toronto core vacant, according to CBRE; and other news.

Premier Doug Ford, Ontario's transportation minister to make announcement in Milton (CP24)

After nearly seven months these North York renters are still refusing to pay rent — and have no plans to start (The Star)

Close to 20 per cent of office space in Toronto core vacant: CBRE (CP24)

Black Bull Tavern’s new owners set timeline to reopen, with a new name. And yes, the beloved patio will return (The Star)

The dirty secret of the housing crisis? Homeowners like high prices (CBC)

Section of Yonge Street closed in Yorkville due to water main break (CP24)

Grow Up

Craig White — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

CIBC SQUARE's North Tower beside Union Station in Downtown Toronto is growing ever upwards, one steel beam at a time, as seen in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor lxmoss. Behind the crew member guiding a steel member, the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel pops up in front of Lake Ontario, while the towers of Niagara Falls punctuate the horizon as if to say "See you again when your next overseas visitors drop by!"

CIBC SQUARE's North Tower contiunues to grow ever upward in Downtown Toronto, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor lxmoss

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Modulex’s Etronit Products Bringing Eco-Friendly Signage to The Keeley

Rick Muller — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 17:03:32 -0400

Signs and signage are such a part of our everyday lives that we sometimes don’t notice them — when in fact the purpose of signs IS to be noticed. Signs provide us with direction, information, and in some cases, safety. ‘BRIDGE OUT’ really is a sign you probably should pay attention to!

With so many signs in so many places, their manufacture has an environmental impact. That impact is being reduced by companies such as Modulex through new eco-friendly products it is bringing to the marketplace, and which environmentally aware building developers are paying attention to.

Headquartered in Denmark but with 30 sales and management offices globally including Toronto, Modulex is a leading provider of architectural wayfinding signage and design solutions for the built environment. It offers comprehensive project management, from planning and design to installation, which it has done at The Keeley, a 13-storey condo recently completed on Keele Street in Downsview, developed by TAS and Fiera Properties, where Modulex is providing both interior and exterior signage solutions.

Looking northwest to the rendering of The Keeley, designed by Teeple Architects

At The Keeley, Modulex is using signage material called ‘Etronit’ which is made from wood sawdust waste generated as a by-product of the logging industry in Finland, and which is comprised of approximately 20% recycled paper fibres. Due to its composition and production, Etronit has a much cleaner life cycle than other materials, with a carbon footprint 53% lower than acrylics.

Additionally, Etronit is a material meant for high-end architectural signage with endless graphic and design possibilities and a durability of at least 10 years. While it cannot be recycled at the end of its life, is it suitable for waste-to-energy (incineration with energy recovery), therefore reducing waste sent to landfills.

Examples of Etronit signage products, image courtesy of Modulex

While certainly different weather-wise, Toronto has many similarities to Miami in the boom of many luxury condominium residences and Modulex’s Toronto office noticed its Miami operations were having great success in introducing Etronit signage products to local developers there and decided to bring it to the Canadian market, where Toronto’s first Etronit installation will be at The Keeley.

“The Keeley provides various sustainability features and is focused on conserving energy,” says Brian Madan, President, Modulex Canada. “We introduced Etronit as an eco-friendly sustainable signage material that is comparable to acrylic but with a considerably less carbon footprint. It was well received and the client decided to take this route as a green alternative to acrylic.”

Modulex provided both interior and exterior signage solutions at The Keeley. Etronit products mainly for all residential floors consisting of primary room signs, suite identifications and amenity identification. As the building industry becomes more aware and is adhering to new standards to meet ambitious environmental goals throughout the development of new buildings, signage is a natural extension of that green focus, especially if it is aesthetically pleasing like Etronit. Eco-friendly products have come a long way both in appearance and quality.

“We are seeing it more and more in every market with our eco-friendly products increasing in demand,” says Madan. “Our products have such versatility and we are able to adapt from something simple for the back of the house to the high-end aesthetic in the visitor or customer-facing areas of a project. Etronit combines this high-end aesthetics with a lower ecological impact, this is the reason it has found a sweet spot with developers and architects. The lack of signage materials in the market which combine design, quality, and sustainability was the main reason we developed Etronit. We now offer four materials as eco-friendly alternatives to other not-so-eco-friendly signage materials and those four materials represent about 20% of our product sales at our Danish factory.”

Examples of Etronit signage products, image courtesy of Modulex

It is all part of Modulex’s continued actions to achieve its own internal environmental goals while assisting clients to achieve theirs. “Modulex turned to eco-friendly products to lower the impact of our product range and provide our clients with more sustainable signage solutions, ultimately aiming to accelerate the green transition within the architectural signage industry,” says Madan. “We have a long-standing focus on sustainability and have been working to lower our environmental impact for more than to decades.”

There is no escaping the fact that signs are everywhere and always will be. As Modulex and its Etronit product is now demonstrating in the GTA, there is no reason a presence as ubiquitous as signage can’t also be environmentally responsible as well.

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Tridel at 90: Nearly a Century of Shaping Toronto's Skyline

Anthony Teles — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 16:07:01 -0400

“Today, everybody talks about housing,” Jim Ritchie, President and CEO of Tridel, shared in a recent interview with UrbanToronto, “and that’s something that’s been in our DNA going on nine decades.” That's right, Tridel has a lot to celebrate in 2024 as it marks its 90th year in business, having formed the year the City of Toronto itself celebrated its centennial, having been incorporated from the former Town of York in 1834.

Jack DelZotto and his family, image by Tridel

Jack DelZotto, an Italian immigrant stonemason, built his first home in the city in 1934. He would go on to found Tridel, eventually handing over the company to his sons. It would become one of the most prominent within the city's development scene, and now with nine decades under its belt, Tridel has delivered over 90,000 homes in the Greater Toronto Area.

"We're a homebuilder first and foremost,” Ritchie told UrbanToronto, “whether that home happens to be a high-rise building in a wonderful location on the waterfront or a community we're building for families. This perspective has not changed over the years and continues to guide us."

From Suburban to Urban Living

In the 1960s, as Toronto began to shift towards higher-density living, Tridel was at the forefront, transitioning from suburban developments to pioneering some of the city's first condominiums. The 1980s marked another significant pivot as Tridel honed its focus on high-rise development, responding to the growing demand for urban residential spaces. This expansion saw Tridel's portfolio grow to diverse communities across the GTA.

"I'd like to tell you that it was like a master plan that we're going to do this and we're going to be very successful,” Ritchie reflected. “We were an early adopter and created our very first condo developments in Oakville, and evolved from there.”

Since then, Tridel has instituted a Customer Care program, a post-sale service ensuring every homeowner feels supported, informed, and valued throughout their journey. When it comes to sustainability, the company's "Built Green. Built for Life." philosophy is not just a catchy slogan; as proven by their record of 14 BILD Green Builder of the Year awards, Tridel have been demonstrating leadership in sustainable development.

Jack DeloZotto's son Leo DelZotto speaking at the launch of Ten York condos, Toronto, image by Edward Skira

Tridel’s Portfolio

Tridel's influence on the GTA’s real estate market is a legacy of constructing over 90,000 homes, and their portfolio is now too large to cover in a quick overview, but Ritchie shared some of his favourites:

The Well

The Well is one of the country’s most ambitious mixed-use endeavours, with 1,700 residential units across seven buildings. Located at 410 Front Street, it featured a powerhouse team at the helm, with the architectural talents of Hariri Pontarini Architects, BDP Quadrangle, architects—Alliance, Wallman Architects, and Adamson Associates Architects, as well as Tridel’s development partners RioCan REIT, Allied Properties REIT, and Woodbourne Canada Management, Inc. Ritchie highlighted its complexity and scale: "We had the best participants in building three million square feet above grade, and a million and a half square feet of infrastructure below grade, to keep this community humming along."

Looking southeast to The Well, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AHK

Bayside Toronto

Bayside Toronto is a shining example of waterfront revitalization, built in partnership with Hines and transforming a former industrial port area into a residential and community hub. With Aqualuna currently under construction — and featuring a unique wave-like design by Denmark’s 3XN architects — it joins the Aqualina, Aquavista, and Aquabella buildings situated to the west. Their architectural adventurousness and diversity plus a focus on sustainable living set new standards for urban waterfront developments, with Ritchie noting that Aqualuna “looks like an island on its own, designed to maximize view lines to the water.”

Aquabella (left) and Aqualuna (right) at Bayside, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy

Lakeview Village

“A bit similar to Bayside, the work we’re doing in Mississauga at Lakeview Village shows there can be different homes of shapes and sizes for buyers in different locations, so we tend to be diversified that way,” Ritchie remarked about this large-scale development soon to break ground. It is expected to bring an influx of 20,000 residents, with 8,000 units including townhouses. The 10 to 12 acres of land are allocated for campus and cultural development, with a layout and architectural design emphasizing eco-friendly practices. With a masterpln by Sasaki Associates Inc., and a team involving Argo Developments, Greenpark Homes, Branthaven Homes, Caivan, Opus Corporation, and Deco Homes, the site at 1300 Lakeshore Road East will also reroute a section of the Waterfront Trail closer to the lake.

Evening view waterfront promenade at Lakeview Village, designed by Sasaki Architects for Lakeview Community Partners

MRKT

Tridel is actively revitalizing the Alexandra Park community near Kensington Market, working alongside the Toronto Community Housing Corporation on its 18-acre master plan. Along with the completed SQ and SQ2 condos, Ritchie highlighted MRKT and its design by CS&P Architects and SvN. With construction ongoing, he notes that MRKT's “architectural expression is just starting to come through now, an expression that is unique in a particular environment, appealing to small families, singles, and professionals.”

Looking southeast over MRKT, designed by CS&P and SVN for Tridel

A Century of Building Communities

As Tridel approaches the centennial mark, the company is poised to continue doing what it does best. “I’m happy to say that our development pipeline for the future is going to take us past 10 years and beyond,” Ritchie concluded. “We can't think of another urban centre in Canada or the US that we're better served to do what we do. We’re very much looking forward to the future housing market in the GTA with great things to come."

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