To the east side of Downtown Toronto, the third phase of the Regent Park Revitalization is bringing new mixed-income housing to what was once Canada's largest exclusively public housing community. The revitalization is creating a mixed-income community by adding several market condominiums to the neighbourhood, while it brings new Toronto Community Housing (TCH) affordable rental buildings as well. The next TCH building to complete is currently being built on 'Block 17 North', on River Street north of Dundas.

Aerial view looking west over Block 17N, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Designed by Wallman Architects, the 11-storey building kicked off construction back in 2017, and topped out at a height of 42.6 metres last year. The first signs of cladding installation were spotted in Fall 2018, and in the months since, exterior finishes have enclosed much of the building. Block 17 North is set apart from its surroundings by a mix of colourful pre-finished aluminum panels in four decidedly coffee-related tones; cream, latte, cappuccino, and cinnamon stick.

Looking northwest to Block 17N, image by Forum contributor skycandy

The base of the building and its three-storey wings have been finished in off-white brick-faced panels which surround punched windows with dark aluminum mullions. Above the base, a one-level section finished in dark window wall cladding separates lower and upper volumes, giving the colourful upper floors a floating effect.

Looking southwest to Block 17N, image by Forum contributor skycandy

Upon completion next year, the TCH building will bring 158 replacement rental units to Regent Park, restoring rental stock lost during the clearing of previous rental buildings on-site. The new units come in a mix of 37 one-bedrooms with average sizes of 58 m², 52 two-bedrooms with average sizes of 68 m², and 69 three-bedrooms with average sizes of 100 m².

Block 17N, image via submission to City of Toronto

You can follow along with construction by visiting our dedicated Forum thread for the project. You can share your thoughts on this update in that thread, or in the comments section provided at the bottom of this page.

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