While many areas of the Greater Toronto Area are being intensified with increasingly lofty condominium towers, arterial roads in lower-density neighbourhoods such as the East End's Upper Beach are being renewed primarily by mid-rise redevelopments. Among the many projects in the area expected to break ground in 2016, Streetcar Developments' The Southwood will add a distinct urban presence to the southeast corner of Kingston Road and Southwood Drive, the former site of the locally iconic Dip 'n Sip Donut shop that made appearances in several films and television shoots over the years.

A rendering of the first phase at 663 Kingston Road, image courtesy of Streetcar

The donut shop was closed in 2014 before being converted into a presentation centre for the development, which held its Grand Opening in early 2015, and its second phase launch a few months later. Now the project is coming closer to construction, as the future site of the two 6-storey TACT Architecture-designed buildings was recently cleared of its presentation centre, marking the next major step toward a ground breaking ceremony. 

Presentation centre cleared from site of The Southwood, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor salsa

The development will be built in two phases; a first phase containing 56 residential units at 663 Kingston Road where Dip 'n Sip was, as well as a 59-unit second phase across the street at 646 Kingston Road, known as the Ravine Collection. The Ravine Collection, named for its protected views overlooking the Glen Stewart Ravine, features one and two bedroom suites from the $300s, Ravine suites from the $400s, and both rooftop terrace units and two-storey units with ravine views from the $500s.

A rendering of the building at 646 Kingston Road, image courtesy of Streetcar

Residents of The Southwood will enjoy interior spaces appointed by Seven Haus Design, and landscaping by Corban and Goode. Beyond the building's doors, residents will find an abundance of neighbourhood amenities including Glen Stewart Park, and easy transit accessibility with the TTC's 503 streetcar running immediately in front of the development site. Danforth GO Station and Main Street Station on the TTC's Line 2 is almost exactly one kilometre to the north, easily reached on the 64 Main bus, giving residents multiple options for commuting into the city centre.

A rendering of the building at 646 Kingston Road, image courtesy of Streetcar

Additional information and renderings can be found in our dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment using the space provided at the bottom of this page.