Following a recent appearance before Toronto's Design Review Panel (DRP) where the plan was lauded for its creativity and public realm component, a multi-tower redevelopment of the Cumberland Terrace site in the Yorkville neighbourhood is moving forward with a new rezoning application. Initially tabled by other owners in 2001, various proposals to redevelop the three-storey mall sitting over the subway line have been put forward here, including one granted City approval in 2008. After KingSett Capital gained ownership of the site, they held a design competition that looked to redevelop more of the block in conjunction with abutting landowners, (a detailed history of the various plans can be found in this previous article), but that plan collapsed when a lessee would not play ball.

Focusing on just the Cumberland Terrace site again, KingSett submitted the first version of this plan designed by Giannone Petricone Associates in 2018. It proposes a trio of residential towers and retains the 2 Bloor East office tower while revitalizing Cumberland Street with a new public square and landscaping.

Latest iteration of Cumberland Square, image via submission to City of Toronto

Dubbed Cumberland Square, the latest version responds to comments from a community consultation, City staff, and the DRP, shifting the proposed density somewhat while maintaining the overall scale presented in the initial 2018 and first 2019 revision. The towers are now proposed at heights of 75 (previously 69), 61 (previously 66) and 50 (unchanged) storeys, measuring 254, 237.5, and 210.39 metres tall respectively. The tallest of the bunch would become a prominent feature in the Bloor-Yorkville skyline, just under 4 metres shy of the neighbourhood's current tallest at One Bloor East. (The One, now under construction, will be 54 metres higher.) Lowering of the middle tower was done to minimize shadowing on Jesse Ketchum Park, resulting in most easterly tower increasing in height.

Its exterior expression has been revised, now bearing a closer resemblance to the exteriors of the two shorter towers. Other revisions in the latest submission include a reduction of podium heights for the shorter towers, lowered to 16.5 metres from 27.5 metres. The sculpted base of the tallest tower from previous versions has been removed, resulting in a slight increase in size of the proposed public parkland dedication. Above, the standard floor plate has been reduced to a maximum of 750 m² as recommended by the City's Tall Building Guidelines.

Looking west along Cumberland Street, Cumberland Square, image via submission to City of Toronto

Between the taller towers, the project's proposed namesake Janet Rosenberg + Studio-designed public square features a reflecting pool, a canopy of string lighting that extends beyond the square and onto Cumberland Street, and in the latest revision, a stairway to provide access to a City-owned concourse level below.

Public park at Cumberland Square, image via submission to City of Toronto

Owing to the site's location above the Line 2 subway tunnel, only a single level concourse level is being constructed below grade, set to house a community hub, retail, and TTC subway access, while parking is proposed to be hidden within the conjoined podium of the two western towers. Additional details about the public square, an associated POPS space on Yonge Street, and the concourse level can be found in a recent article covering the project's DRP appearance.

Cumberland Street view at Cumberland Square, image via submission to City of Toronto

The three towers now call for a total of 1,595 residential suites, increased from 1,507 in the version presented at the DRP a few months ago. The unit mix is now proposed as 88 studio units with average sizes of 42 m², 948 one-bedroom units with average sizes of 51 m², 396 two-bedrom units with average sizes of 80 m², and 163 three-bedroom units with average sizes of 90 m².

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.

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