A plan to redevelop Scrivener Square at the meeting point of Toronto's Summerhill and Rosedale neighbourhoods is one step closer to reality following a recent resubmission to the City. The proposed luxury rental development from Diamond Corp and Tricon Capital Group dubbed The James at Scrivener Square features a standout design by Danish-based COBE Architects working with local Architect of Record Graziani + Corazza Architects.

Initially submitted seeking Zoning By-law and Official Plan amendments in June, 2017, the project was revised and resubmitted seeking the same amendments again in 2018 and 2019. The first application for Site Plan Approval (SPA) was submitted at the end of 2018, with a resubmission in September, 2019, and a third SPA submission this month.

The James at Scrivener Square, image via submission to City of Toronto

While no major changes have been made to the proposed building since the previous September, 2019 submission, the latest submission responds to comments received from the City's Engineering & Construction Services with minor revisions to landscaping and site servicing including a proposed road realignment and reconstruction plan for Scrivener Square.

Among the standout features of the project is a public realm plan from Montreal-based Claude Cormier + Associés, with an L-shaped public space planned to front Yonge Street and the realigned Scrivener Square. Landscaping plans call for a total hardscape area of 2,486 m², including 740 m² sheltered by a canopy of new trees and 1,746 m² of unsheltered space. This area would contain 277 m² of dedicated parkland.

Landscape plan for Scrivener Square, image via claudecormier.com

The site would be surfaced by granite pavers extending to Yonge and Scrivener, where low curbs and improved street paving will tie the site into the surrounding public realm. Paved walkways carving to the site's interior terminate at a central water feature, planned to take the form of a giant halved grapefruit. 

Landscape plan for Scrivener Square, image via claudecormier.com

Updated architectural diagrams in the latest submission are limited to a site plan and a ground floor plan, with a full set of updated architectural plans to be included in an upcoming final submission. Documents submitted in the 2019 package offer a look into the materials proposed for the building's exterior. These include a mix of shadowbox curtainwall and window wall glazing framed in aluminum, perforated and solid metal panels, glass balcony railings, brick masonry, and precast concrete.

Like the previous submission, the current plan calls for 141 rental units, though the unit mix has changed from 49 one-bedrooms, 85 two-bedrooms, and 8 three-bedroom units up to a new count of 66 one-bedrooms, 46 two-bedrooms, and 29 three-bedroom units.

You can learn more from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like to, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

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