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First Gulf's plans for a Sweeny&Co Architects-designed office tower at 25 Ontario continue to evolve at the east end of Toronto's Downtown. A newly revised submission moves forward a proposal that traces back to 2013, when First Gulf purchased the half-acre site at the southeast corner of Adelaide and Ontario Streets, including the two-storey 1942-built Drug Trading Company Administrative Office Building. Before First Gulf's acquisition of the site, the former owner previously proposed a 21-storey 219-unit residential tower with ground floor commercial space back in 2012.
After acquiring the property, First Gulf originally intended to redevelop the site with a purpose-built rental tower, though the plan was eventually changed to an office tower in response to market demand and the success of First Gulf's nearby 333 King Street East and the Globe and Mail Centre projects. Resubmitted to the City last summer and further revised earlier this year, the updated proposal calls for a 22-storey office tower containing 450,000 ft² of office space.
Renderings reveal a crystalline form clad in a curtain wall glazing system, interrupted by terraces on the 3rd and 22nd floors that will provide commercial tenants outdoor amenity space. A series of straight and angled columns will support the new tower above the retained north and west heritage façades below. This heritage structure's original west facade will act as the main pedestrian entrance to building, via Ontario Street. The remaining ground floor frontages will house approximately 4,500 ft² of retail/commercial space, while extensive landscaping will improve the public realm along Ontario Street.
Below ground, the project would be served by a five-level underground garage, accessed via Adelaide Street and accommodating 192 parking spaces and 173 bicycle parking spaces. Targeting LEED Platinum and Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 designations, the project will incorporate a number of features designed to improve efficiency and sustainability. If built as proposed, the project would house some 4,000 employees.
Additional information and renderings can be found in our Database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment using the field provided at the bottom of this page.
