5.9K 
Nearly five years after the opening of the first phase of Allied Properties REIT's Queen Richmond Centre West (QRC West) office complex at Richmond and Peter in Downtown Toronto, the developer is preparing to begin work on a smaller second phase to the immediate north. After being granted zoning approval at the OMB in 2017, the project has been working out minor changes with the City, resulting in the plan having been resubmitted for Site Plan Approval in early March this year.
Designed by Sweeny &Co Architects, the same firm that designed phase one, the phase two building at 375 Queen Street West will rise seven storeys at its tallest point, with a total gross floor area (GFA) of 8,134 m². This is planned as 1,453 m² of retail space (18% of GFA) occupying the base, and 6,681 m² of office space above (representing the remaining 82% of the total GFA).
The site is currently home to a pair of three-storey, red brick buildings. The corner building at 375-379 Queen Street West was deemed of little heritage value and will be removed and replaced with a new-build red brick facade designed as a modern interpretation of the area's heritage building stock. To the west, the majority of the north facade of a heritage building at 381 Queen West will be restored and integrated into the base.
The new phase steps back from Queen Street, conforming to the 45-degree angular plane guidelines of the local Heritage Conservation District. Above the heritage-sensitive base, cladding materials transition the new building to the modern tower behind it. They include structurally-supported glass at the corner, and then curtainwall glazing that matches the design language of the phase one tower. The new phase will be connected to the old one via a multi-level bridge over Jack Cooper Lane, on levels three through seven.
While the Site Plan application is under review, building permits were applied for in October, 2019, followed by demolition permit applications in January, 2020. The retailers on site closed their doors and cleared out earlier this year as permits remain under review.
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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