A proposal originally submitted in August, 2017 has evolved in response to the early 2020 acceptance of a Settlement Offer with the City of Toronto following an OMB appeal of the initial rezoning application refusal. Initially proposed to rise 29 storeys on green space beside an existing 26-storey Tower-in-the-Park style apartment tower at 265 Balliol, the purpose-built rental tower for Park Property Management is now proposed at a height of 27 storeys, incorporating a redesign by Quadrangle.

Site of the proposal, image via submission to City of Toronto

Originally planned to rise 95.7 m, the revised proposal includes a slight height reduction to 92.43 m to the top of the mechanical penthouse. Combining with the existing 26-storey apartment tower, the site is now planned with a total gross floor area (GFA) of 33,471 m², dropping from the 2017 proposal's 36,350 m² GFA. The newly-reduced GFA includes 33,315 m² of residential space, of which 18,290 m² is proposed within the new tower.

Looking south to current plan for 265 Balliol, image via submission to City of Toronto

Previous plan for 265 Balliol, image via submission to City of Toronto

A total of 233 new rental units (down from the previous plan's 264) are proposed in addition to the existing 202 units on site for a total of 435. Among the new units, 23 are proposed as affordable rentals in a variety of suite sizes. Family-sized units are also planned to be a focus in the new building, with the plan including 82 two-bedroom units and 27 three-bedroom units. This results in over half of the proposed units being able to accommodate families.

The remaining non-residential space, of approximately 155 m², would be located on the ground floor. The new zoning by-law agreed upon in the settlement with the City permits this space to be used for a retail store, personal service shop, eating/take-out establishment, outdoor patio, art gallery, pet service, bicycle repair shop, or wellness centre uses.

Podium, 265 Balliol, image via submission to City of Toronto

Architectural diagrams included in the latest submission shed light on the proposed exterior details. The building's four-storey podium is planned with a primary finish of brick-embedded precast concrete panels in dark grey framing window wall finishes, as well as corner and inset balconies with glass railings. Above, a lighter tone of brick-embedded precast panels would work in concert with white precast frames and window wall cladding to form a modern interpretation of the mid-20th century design of the surrounding apartment blocks.

Tower details, 265 Balliol, image via submission to City of Toronto

The new tower would require an extension of the existing two-level underground garage serving the current 26-storey apartment tower. The new garage sections would extend below the proposed tower's footprint, and create an additional 203 parking spaces, with 156 for residents, 43 for visitors, and 4 car-share spaces for public use for a 16 parking stall equivalency. In addition, 296 long term and 34 short term bicycle parking spaces would support residents making local trips.

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.

* * *

UrbanToronto has a new way you can track projects through the planning process on a daily basis. Sign up for a free trial of our New Development Insider here.