As new condominium towers continue to pop up all over the city, it is easy to forget that some proposed high-rises don’t make the initial cut. To address the concerns of city planning staff and local residents, developments are sometimes redesigned, normally returning with a rebranding. Such is the case for a proposed residential development on Spadina just north of Queen. Initially branded as Fad Condos, the building was neither meeting sales expectations nor in the neighbourhood's good graces, towering above its neighbours at 19 storeys. Here is what Fad Condos looked like as originally marketed, a modern spin on the neighbourhood's multi-level warehouse aesthetic.

Rendering of Fad Condos, which has since been redesigned and rebranded

The project was sent back to the drawing board. Renamed to refer simply to its address at 170 Spadina, the proposal from Tri-Win International has been chopped down by four floors to a new height of 15 storeys to appease the concerns of local residents, the planning department, and Ward 20 Councillor Adam Vaughan.

Rendering of redesigned 170 Spadina

The aforementioned parties were insistent that the heights of new buildings along Spadina north of Adelaide be restricted, allowing the stretch of street to maintain its unique character. These concerns were taken to heart by the developer, and the resulting Wallman Architects redesign will soon be resubmitted to the City to work its way through the planning and approvals process. While the building's upper floor glazing no longer reflects the 'divided lights' of the neighbourhood's warehouse vernacular in the current renderings, the use of brick on the staggered columns which will rise from the third to tenth floors ties the design into its surroundings. The City and Wallman Architects are still talking about the final look for the exterior.

Rendering of ground floor retail

170 Spadina will contain about 162 condominium units, ground floor retail space and amenities including a gym, catering kitchen and party room.

Rendering of 170 Spadina suite interior

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