St. Thomas Commercial Developments is set to introduce a new concept in commercial real estate to the Toronto market with 7 St. Thomas on the southeast corner of Sultan and St. Thomas Streets, right in between Yorkville and the University of Toronto. The project will be the first of its kind in the city to offer occupants the option to purchase rather than lease commercial units. It will be a nine-storey, 93,000 square foot luxury office condominium, "designed to appeal to the business or individual who wants to own their own luxury office space in a highly desirable residential neighbourhood in Toronto," according to Patrick Quigley, President of St. Thomas Commercial Developments. Hariri Pontarini Architects undertook the design of 7 St. Thomas, with interiors by Munge Leung. 

7 St. Thomas, Toronto Condos, St. Thomas Developments, Hariri Pontarini

7 St. Thomas will combine six restored and modernized 1880s-era heritage buildings that currently rest on the site. A new glass tower will be built atop the restored structures that will act as part of the podium for 7 St. Thomas. The remainder of the podium will wrap around the heritage buildings, match them in proportion and include the use of glass and stone to create contrast and enhance the characteristics of the heritage façades.

The tower will be outfitted with undulating fritted glass and feature a frieze motif inspired by elements of the existing heritage buildings. According to David Pontarini, Partner-in-Charge of Hariri Pontarini Architects, "the glass tower was designed as a neutral backdrop to the existing heritage buildings in order to highlight their architectural and contextual character... [it] contributes to the public realm, transforming Sultan Street from what is largely a servicing corridor into a pedestrian friendly urban piazza".

7 St. Thomas, image by St. Thomas Developments Inc. & Hariri Pontarini Architects

The building will include environmental amenities such as a rain cistern and green roof, as well as bicycle storage.

7 St. Thomas will offer Office Suites from 679 to 93,000 square feet, starting at $450,000. It is scheduled for completion in 2014. You can find out more information on this development here.