Large-scale high-rise developments receive a fair amount of attention for their contributions to our growing skyline, as well as the associated intensification of downtown land. While much attention is paid to the towering new developments popping up around the city, small-scale residential developments have created impressive changes on some of Downtown Toronto's narrower, more intimate side streets. Back on November 3rd, 2002, construction was under way on a four-storey townhome development, located on the south side of Phoebe Street at Soho, in Toronto's trendy Queen and Spadina area.

Facing east on Phoebe Street at Soho, November 3, 2002, image by Edward Skira

Fast forward to 2015, and construction of the townhomes has long since been completed. The development exhibits a modern spin on the Victorian architecture found on surrounding blocks. Street trees have been planted, and have since matured, adding a charming established neighbourhood feel to this stretch of Phoebe, a mere block north of the bustling Queen Street West.

Facing east on Phoebe Street at Soho, September 17, 2015, image by Jack Landau

A wider angle reveals the dramatic contrast between this quiet, tree-lined street, and the growing high-rise skyline of the nearby Entertainment District.

Phoebe Lofts and the Entertainment District, September 17, 2015, image by Jack Landau

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!