Mahogany Management, the owners of 1236 Birchmount Road in Scarborough, is preparing to develop an affordable rental building one lot to the southwest the Birchmount's intersection with Lawrence Avenue East, submitting a Site Plan Approval application to the City of Toronto this week. Dubbed Birchmount Green, the project was awarded the benefits of the City’s Open Door Affordable Housing Program which offers capital funding, fees and property tax relief, and fast-tracked planning approvals in exchange for affordable units to be included in the development. All 220 units would be designated affordable, with 47 of those designed as accessible units. 

Looking up to Birchmount Green, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Designed by Chamberlain Architect Services Limited, the slab-style building has a middle section clad in lighter materials, bookended by two black-clad volumes to break up the massing. The lighter section in the centre includes a number of accent strips of red, green, yellow, and magenta irregularly placed throughout the façade. Framed with a band of wood-grain cladding, the east and west elevations feature irregularly placed punched windows and a number of extruding angled panels, intended to hold planters. 

Lookin north to Birchmount Green, image via submission to the City of Toronto

The developer is proposing a mix of 112 one-bedroom, 88 two-bedroom, and 20 three-bedroom suites. A 99 m² retail space would front Birchmount on the building's east side.

Assuming many of the building's residents will take transit, 93 vehicle parking and 72 bicycle spaces are proposed below-grade. 

Eastern elevation of Birchmount Green, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Currently on the site is an ageing single-storey light industrial building.

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 below.

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