9.5K 
A flurry of construction at the east end of Regent Park is producing multiple highrise and mid-rise residential towers as the third phase of the neighbourhood's years-long revitalization continues. While most of the activity in Phase 3 is centred around Dundas Street East between Sumach and River Streets, another property at the opposite end of the community forms an equally crucial part of the staged rebuild. Visuals for Block 1, where a two-tower development is proposed at the southeast corner of Parliament and Gerrard Streets, were unveiled at the Toronto Community Housing Design Review Panel this week.
The 2.05-acre site had been occupied by two apartment complexes of three and six storeys, which were demolished in 2019. Designed by superkül for The Daniels Corporation, its replacement will consist of a 10-storey mid-rise building on the north end of the property and a 25-storey highrise tower to the south, with retail fronting onto Gerrard and Parliament. Townhomes will be located to the south and east towards Oak Street and Dreamers Way, a new one-way southbound street connecting Oak and Gerrard.
The creation of Dreamers Way forms a new city block with 68 metres of frontage at the north and south ends and 121 metres of frontage along the east and west edges. The two market residential buildings will provide a total of 642 units, 23,600 ft² of grade-related retail space, and 399 parking spaces spanning two underground levels. A total of 642 bicycle spaces are also planned.
The north building will contain 296 units. The residential lobby will be accessible from the northeast corner of the block facing Gerrard Street. The 25-storey south tower, accommodating 346 units, also features a six-storey east wing. The lobby entrance will be located at the southwest corner of the block fronting Oak Street. Between the two volumes, an internal elevated courtyard has been proposed, acting as a shared outdoor amenity space for residents. Indoor amenity spaces will be located primarily on the second floor, adjacent to the landscaped courtyard.
The tower is situated at the south end of the site to reduce shadow impact on existing buildings in Cabbagetown, while also providing a stepped height transition to existing three-to-five-storey structures to the east on Oak Street.
Gerrard Street swerves at the northwest corner of the intersection with Parliament, placing the proposed mid-rise as a brief view terminus looking east. A small parkette, Anniversary Park, currently occupies this corner. The ground floor of the mid-rise is set back to pay deference to the parkette, creating an active pedestrianzed space at the southeast corner.
The development team explored the context and urban fabric of the neighbourhood, particularly the materiality of Cabbagetown's Victorian buildings, to inform the facade of the project. The building envelope features red brick tones and punched windows rather than simple planes of glazing.
The Toronto Community Housing Design Review Panel is an independent body recognized by the City of Toronto and exists to provide advice and input into the organization's revitalization initiatives. The 19-member panel meets on an as-needed basis.
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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| Related Companies: | Counterpoint Engineering, Isotherm Engineering Ltd., NAK Design Strategies, Parcel One, Platinum Condo Deals, Rebar Enterprises Inc, Stantec, The Fence People, U31 |
