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A new proposal for an 11-storey mixed-use building at 840 Dupont Street has recently come to light via the City of Toronto's development applications website. The predominantly residential project west of Christie Street would replace the suburban-style Sobeys supermarket—fronted by a large parking lot—and gas station that currently occupy the site. Designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, the development would feature a new Sobeys supermarket on the second level, with additional office and retail space below the 364 condominium units.
The site was previously subject to a proposal for two 13-storey residential slab buildings—with a total of 393 units—fronted by a shared retail base in 2013. Slightly reduced in scale, the current proposal is characterized by a series of step backs, with the building gradually reduced in height as it meets the low-rise streetscape on Dupont. Across the street, rows of semi-detached two-storey homes lines the south side of Dupont, while the northern side—backing out onto the CP rail tracks—is predominantly characterized by a mix of industrial built form and suburban-style strip retail.
Compared to the previous proposal, the current development sees the number of units and parking spots slightly reduced from 393 to 364, and from 740 to 653 respectively. Another notable difference between the two proposals is the inclusion of three-bedroom units. While the earlier proposal featured 39 bachelor, 279 one-bedroom, and 79 two-bedroom units, the new development would not include any bachelor units, with 232 one-bedroom, 97 two-bedroom, and 35 three-bedroom suites planned. According to documents submitted to the City, units would range in size from approximately 600 ft² to 1,150 ft².
Close to a third of the development's total floor area will be given over to retail space, with 10,500 m²—or 27.6%—of the 38,080 m² gross floor area devoted to retail activity. As currently proposed, the project would rise to a height of 42.3 metres.
Turning to the building's expression, a contrasting black and white palette calls attention to the rectilinear volumes as they recede from street level to the north, highlighting the 'stacked' aesthetic suggested by the massing strategy. Landscaping by Terraplan would see the row of trees fronting Dupont Street preserved, while a view of the site's north elevation suggests additional landscaping along the podium's northwest corner.
With the proposal still in the relatively early stages of the planning process, however, details of the project—including all of the principals involved—remain unclear. Changes to the plans could materialize as the development works its way through the planning process.
In order for the development to be approved by the City, a re-zoning of the site would be required. Currently designated as an Employment Area in the City's Official Plan—reflecting the site's previously industrial and commercial context—the zoning amendment would see the site become a Mixed Use Area, maintaining the retail jobs that exist while adding residential density.
We will keep you updated as details of the proposed development continue to emerge. In the meantime, make sure to check out our associated Forum thread for more information and additional renderings. What are your thoughts about the project? Do you think it's an appropriate fit for the neighbourhood? Join in the conversation by taking part in the ongoing discussion on our Forum, or by leaving a comment in the space below this page.
