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We've recently received project renderings and planning documents for a significant development by Empire Communities. Published on the City’s new Yorkville Development Portal, the plans for 140 Yorkville Avenue at the corner of Avenue Road illustrate a building that would drastically change the existing character of the area and see the hotly debated demolition of a complex currently on-site. These documents date from January of this year, and it should be noted that Empire is still working on the final public design.
Designed by Zeidler Partnership Architects with EI Richmond Architects, the proposed 38-storey condominium is riding a wave of development in Yorkville that has seen high-rise towers such as the Four Seasons and Yorkville Condominiums gain approval, while a number of others are currently seeking approval (50 Bloor West, 27 Yorkville, Yorkville Plaza). The design-briefing package submitted addresses one major concern raised in the past, being the Queen's Park view corridor as seen from the south. The 38-storey tower would have minimal impact on the view, as it would be blocked by the new 39-storey tower currently proposed by Camrost-Felcorp on the south side of Yorkville Plaza.
The proposal would see the full-scale demolition of York Square, a staple of Yorkville’s built environment that dates back to the neighbourhood’s bohemian, and before that Victorian, roots. Originally a collection of Victorian houses, York Square was renovated by Diamond and Myers (the precursor to KPMB Architects) in 1968, and was the first major redevelopment in the area. Diamond and Myers rebelled against the "clean-slate" demolition so often practiced in the 1960s, emphasizing pedestrian movement through the space and human-scaled buildings, establishing a precedent for subsequent developments in Yorkville.
The Zeidler Partnership plan would maintain the pedestrian access to Hazelton Lanes by creating a public walkway and parking garage entrance that bisects the building, while including retail on the first and second floors. Billed as a "vertical village," the design briefing divides the tower into five components, each with a unique roofline and orientation. The podium residences have been pivoted ever so slightly, similar to what we’ve seen done at mid-rise projects such as 12 Degrees or Abacus Lofts.
In total the tower would contain 342 units and a five-level underground parking garage that would contain 247 parking spaces, 44 of which would be for visitors/commercial. The planning report describes the corner as being a crucial gateway point to Yorkville, while the existing 31-storey Four Seasons tower to the south and the 24-storey Prince Arthur condominium to the west set a precedent for height.
We've created a dataBase listing for 140 Yorkville which you can find below. To keep up to date with the latest information on this development be sure to follow the associated project thread.
