2.4K 
In an area of Toronto that is rapidly transforming with new construction and development, the West Don Lands and surroundings look nearly unrecognizable from what it used to be just five years ago. The massive ongoing redevelopment of Regent Park is changing the landscape too, while projects such as the River City Condos, Corktown Commons and the Pan Am Village have all made positive impacts. Located in the midst of all this change is 77 River Street, another site slated for redevelopment.
Abutting the intersection of River Street and Labatt Avenue across from Shuter Street, the site also overlooks the athletic grounds in Phase 3 of Regent Park. In 2014 the proposal originally asked for two towers of 34 and 26 storeys above a mixed-use base. Fast forward two years, the application has been resubmitted as a single mixed-use residential condominium tower of 38 storeys and has been recommended by the Planning Department for approval by City Council. Developed by TAS Developments, the Diamond Schmitt-designed 413 foot-high building would sit atop an 11 storey podium, with retail at-grade level, office space on the first and second floors, and residential space occupying the rest.
The proposal would have 584 residential units, which is six more from what the initial proposal had. The number of bachelor and 1 bedroom units has been reduced from 66 to 28 units, while 1 bedroom units have dropped from 377 units to 368. The number of 2 bedroom units has increased from 108 to 128 units, as has the number of 3 bedroom units, from 27 to 60. The residential units range in size from about 440 to roughly 1,100 square feet.
Accessed on the northeastern side of the site along Labatt, the parking garage will have 405 vehicle parking spaces divided through three levels underground. 526 bicycle parking spaces will be provided for residents located on the P1 level, and an additional 59 bicycle spaces will be placed on the ground floor for visitors and employees working in the building. The four loading spaces are situated on the ground level, and will be accessible from Labatt, on the easterly most part of the site.
One significant feature of this development is the amount of non-residential gross floor area being proposed. The resubmission includes approximately 30,000 square feet of retail space, while about 39,900 square feet of office space will take up a portion of the first and occupy the entire second level of the podium.
The indoor amenity space consists of about 12,500 square feet, and includes a theatre, library, lounge area, game room, and a meeting space equipped with a kitchen. The outdoor amenity equals in size, and is on the rooftop of the tenth floor of the podium. The space will have a combination of landscaping, seating, and cooking areas.
The proposal was deferred at October's Community Council meeting yesterday, and will return for consideration in November. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts about this project in the comment in the space provided on this page, or join in on the discussion in the associated Forum thread.
