Urban Planet may not be long for its current location in Queen West (its lease expiry sale is underway), but a more urban structure could replace it in the next while. Located at 336 Queen Street West in Downtown Toronto, the single-storey retail frontage on the north side of the street is the subject of a site plan application for a 4-storey mixed-use structure. 

The site as it appears now, image via Google Maps

Developed by The Pearl Group and marketed by Ashlar Urban Realty Inc., the Turner Fleischer-designed project combines ground-level and basement retail space with three levels of commercial office space. Featuring a three-storey brick frontage topped by a glazed upper level, the structure repairs a gap in the street-wall, while adding a commercial component above.

A hero shot rendering, looking northwest, image courtesy of Ashlar

Situated just east of Spadina, the project's floorplates range in size from 7,525 ft² to 9,340 ft², with up to 26,260 ft² of office space above 7,525 ft² of street-level retail, and an 8,135 ft² lower level. As indicated in a conceptual layout provided by Ashlar, the second and third levels could be configured as a combination of collaborative and private work areas, while the fourth floor—sketched out as a series of meeting spaces and boardrooms below—would feature a 2,000 ft² rooftop terrace fronting Queen.

A conceputal plan for the fourth floor, image courtesy of Ashlar

According to Ashlar's marketing material, the project may target a single commercial tenant, with the three levels split up to provide a variety of functions. Meanwhile, the basement area could be used as an extension of the ground-floor retail, adding an additional 7,600 ft² of commercial space alongside bicycle parking for the offices above.

A rendering of the office space, image courtesy of Ashlar

Architecturally, the design responds to its surrounding context by incorporating a brick frontage reflecting the scale of its neighbours. An attempt to integrate the design with the buildings immediately to the west is also evidenced in the building's glazing, referencing the proportions established in neighbouring structures. 

The new structure alongside its neighbours, image via submission to the City of Toronto

While the 955 m² lot would be intensified by the new structure, the proposed development actually replaces a deceptively sizeable three-storey building. Behind the single-storey frontage, the existing building rises to the north. Nonetheless, the new development presents a significant increase in GFA. 

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available and the proposed site plan makes its way though the planning process. Want to learn more? Out dataBase file, linked below, has more renderings. Want to share your thoughts about the development? Leave a comment in the space provided this page, or join in the recently established conversation in our associated Forum thread.