The Toronto Community Housing Corportation (TCHC) has submitted a proposal in conjunction with the Fram Building Group to redevelop its Allenbury Gardens property near Sheppard Avenue East and Highway 404. The proposal calls for the demolition of the existing housing stock of 127 subsidized units and their subsequent reconstruction as part of a much intensified neighbourhood including an additional 979 condominium units. The units will be spread among 6 towers ranging in height from 7 to 23 storeys as well as a mix of 2 and 3 storey townhouses. The apartment buildings are to be located along Fairview Mall Drive as well as Highway 404 while the townhouses are proposed along Allenbury Gardens, Fairview Mall Drive and Kingslake Road. In addition to the additional residents, the applicant is also proposing to include 2 public parks. A 0.25 ha park in the middle of the site and a 0.03 ha parkette at the corner of Godstone Road and Kingslake Road. The site as it currently appears, the TCHC's masterplan for the neighbourhood and the site plan for the redevelopment are all below:

View of the type of townhouse that currently occupies the site. Image from Google Earth.

Site Plan for Allenbury Gardens Redevelopment.

Toronto Community Housing Corporation's Masterplan for Allenbury Gardens.

The project is proposed to be undertaken in 2 phases. Phase 1 would be built on the western portion of the site and contain 489 units, all but 10 of which will be market priced units. Phase 2 would hold the bulk of the subsidized units (117) and the remaining 500 condominium units. The architects of record are Brook McIlroy Inc./Pace Architects. Elevations can be found below:

Elevations for Townhouses.

Elevations for Building A.

Elevations for Building B.

Elevations for Building C.

Elevations for Building D.

Elevations for Building E.

Elevations for Building F.

As the land in question is designated Neighbourhoods in the Official Plan, the applicant has requested that the land be redesignated as Apartment Neighbourhoods in order to permit the additional density and change of form. Like other TCHC redevelopments such as Regent Park and the soon to be rebuilt Alexandra Park, this project follows the mold set by the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. By mixing housing sold at market value with subsidized units, the neighborhood avoids the uniformity of income that can drain the area's vibrancy. The injection of capital that accompanies this mix acts as a stabilizing variable, maintaining the health of the community. With the Sheppard Subway still running well below capacity, and with the construction of the Sheppard East LRT from Don Mills to Morningside, there is room for the transit infrastructure to absorb the additional residents. In terms of form, the neighbourhood is no stranger to high-rise buildings. Apart from the clusters of apartment blocks that were built when the area first opened for development decades ago, the Emerald City project is adding three additional towers to the neighbourhood. The area is also well served by amenities and includes many retail options at nearby Fairview Mall. Hopefully we can look forward to a project as well executed as the revitalization of Regent Park.

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Related Companies:  Core Architects, EQ Building Performance Inc., Isotherm Engineering Ltd., McIntosh Perry, U31, Unilux HVAC Industries Inc., Urban Strategies Inc.