4.2K 
In the Spring of 2018, MOD Developments Inc. submitted plans to redevelop an existing rental apartment tower on Toronto's Charles Street with a new high-rise residential development. The initial plan for 55 Charles East called for a 55-storey, architectsAlliance-designed tower, which would have risen to the same level as the Casa III tower across the street to the north.
Following discussions with City staff, the plan has been resubmitted with major revisions, including changes to the building's height, density, and exterior expression. The revised submission has been reduced from its initial 55-storey, 180.13-metre height down to a new 48-storey, 159.35-metre height. A full redesign of the tower replaces the former sawtooth balcony pattern with a vertical striated pattern interrupted by a series of inset and projecting horizontally striped volumes.
The building’s ground floor features a cabled curtainwall glazing system, while the six podium levels above it are clad in a mix of curtainwall glazing and aluminum panels.
The tower is finished in a mix of window wall panels with glazing between strips of aluminum paneling. Glazed balcony guards are found in the projecting boxes. The mechanical penthouse level features a mix of curtainwall glazing and architectural louvers.
Despite the reduction in height and floor count, the number of proposed units has actually increased slightly. This has ben accomplished by increasing the floor plate from the standard 750 m² that the City wants (to preserve sky views and to minimize shadow size) to 915 m². The plan now calls for 100 rental replacement units and 574 condominium units, in a mix of 102 studio units with average ares of 39 m², 373 one-bedroom units with average areas of 53 m², 124 two-bedroom units with average areas of 74 m², and 75 three-bedroom units with average areas of 93 m². Residents would have access to a full level of amenities on the 7th floor, to include a 997 m² indoor amenity space connecting with a 676 m² outdoor space.
The proposal includes a four-level underground garage with 164 parking spaces, split amongst 137 resident spaces, 25 visitor spaces, and 2 spaces for institutional/other use. In addition, the proposal also provides 607 bicycle parking spaces.
Additional information and images 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 in the field provided at the bottom of this page.
* * *
UrbanToronto has a new way you can track projects through the planning process on a daily basis. Sign up for a free trial of our New Development Insider here.
