Long a neglected brownfield site, where once stood a gas station on the southeast corner of Gerrard and Sherbourne will soon be transformed by an addition to the Oben Flats collection of mid-rise rental developments that have begun to appear in Toronto. The high-design rental company started in Dusseldorf and Cologne, and is bringing their concept to Toronto through designs by detail-oriented modernists superkül. The 13-storey project at 307 Sherbourne Street proposes 94 units with mix of 57 1-bedroom, 32 2-bedroom, and 5 3-bedroom suites.

307 Sherbourne, rendering courtesy of Oben Flats

Renderings of the project highlight a visually striking, modern aesthetic characterized by blocky, somewhat irregular massing covered in a white cladding. The structure is roughly broken into two sections, with a 5-storey podium—featuring a 2-storey lobby and entrance on the Gerrard Street frontage—topped by an 8-storey volume. Atop the podium section, there are plans to include a sizeable covered exterior amenity space, which will sit at the southwest corner of the building to catch afternoon sun, comprising one half of the 6th storey amenity space which will carry on inside and adjacent to the exterior portion.

6th floor amenity space, rendering courtesy of Oben Flats

With few exceptions, the upper portion of the building will be stepped back 3m from the footprint of the podium, with glass balconies placed to maximize sunlight exposure, while ensuring individual privacy. While much of Sherbourne is defined by large Victorian homes punctuated by mid-20th century apartment towers, the design cues for 307 Sherbourne reference the modernist architecture of the 1960s, and the concrete structure that currently sits across the street on the north side of Gerrard. Together, the two structures will bring a sense cohesion to this otherwise discombobulated corner. 

Gerrard Street frontage and entrance, 1960s structure visible far left, rendering courtesy of Oben Flats

Oben Flats Sherbourne will feature an ample selection of building amenities, including two levels of underground parking with 43 spaces (6 for visitors), along with a separate room at grade with capacity for 96 bike spaces. The bike storage will be accompanied with a bay of outdoor bike racks for public use, contributing to the urban character that the developer hopes to achieve. Located on transit, the proposal also fronts onto the protected Sherbourne bike lanes, which extend from Bloor all the way to Lake Ontario.

Upper level balconies, rendering courtesy of Oben Flats

UrbanToronto will continue to provide updates on this development as the proposal moves through the City's planning process. For more information, check out the dataBase file and Forum thread, both linked below, and feel free to join the conversation in the comments section below.