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An important objective of the City of Toronto's Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study is to promote further intensification along our main roads. Such initiatives have yielded renewed interest in reviving many of our inner city suburbs. These planning guidelines remind us that our city is constantly evolving and striving toward improvement. New developments continuously enhance existing neighbourhoods by revitalizing and providing reinvented contemporary usages. The Bathurst corridor is a perfect example of such urban progression. With its downtown origins rooted as part of Toronto's Victorian heritage, Bathurst continued to grow northward along with the city. Early and mid-20th century apartment line the street from St. Clair to Wilson, establishing Bathurst as a prominent residential throughfare.
50-52 Neptune Drive is a proposed residential building, located near Bathurst Street and Highway 401. The original proposal by Slobodsky Associates in 2009 called for a 14-storey building, but the applicant has since revised its plans for an 11-storey structure. The new development will replace two existing 3-storey walk-up apartment buildings. The proposal features both market and rental spaces for a total of 170 residential units. Also proposed are 139 residential parking spaces, 26 visitor spaces, and 128 bicycle spaces. The City of Toronto has launched a specific planning page for this development, which can be found here. Located conveniently for transit, the property is situated right on the 109 Ranee bus route along with nearby Bathurst and Wilson buses within walking distance. Yorkdale, Wilson and York Mills subway stations are also within relative distance.
Teeple Architects was chosen to design the new building, a firm with an impressive portfolio including 60 Richmond Street East, and Picasso Condos, and recently profiled in UrbanToronto's 'The Interview'. Although detailed renderings have yet to be released, a massing model has been published which promises a building with a playful use of balconies. The injection of bold and unique architecture by Teeple will certainly be a refreshing contribution to an area ripe for intensification. UrbanToronto will keep you posted on future updates of this development. To join the discussion please check out the forum thread here.
