Plans resubmitted to the City of Toronto outline a revised scheme for a self-storage facility wrapped in office and retail space, proposed by Dymon Storage at 850 York Mills Road. Official Plan, rezoning and Site Plan Control applications were first submitted to the City in December, 2018, seeking permission for a nine-storey mixed-use building that would replace a surface parking lot and a vacant strip of land.

Comparison between 2018 and 2020 submissions, looking northwest to 850 York Mills, image via submission to the City of Toronto

The proposal for the northwest corner of York Mills Road and Lesmill Road has now been reduced in height by 4.4 metres to 46.4 metres. The decrease in scale results in a reduction of 3,003 m² of gross floor area, with a total of 53,427 m² of space envisioned in the July, 2020 resubmission. Although self-storage and office space has been lowered by 1,385 and 1,641 m² respectively, the retail component has increased slightly by 23 m² to 5,096 m².

Looking north to 850 York Mills, image via submission to the City of Toronto

The updated plan eliminates initially planned western entrances to the retail spaces, relocating the retail elements to the south elevation fronting York Mills. The loading and underground parking ramp has been moved to the western elevation where the retail entrances had originally been proposed.

Looking west to 850 York Mills, image via submission to the City of Toronto

A total of 674 parking spaces would be contained within a two-level underground garage, with another five parking spaces provided on the surface. The building will also come with 73 office bicycle spaces and 61 retail bicycle spaces.

Looking northeast to 850 York Mills, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Architectural plans included in the resubmission detail the proposed materials slated to skin the TACT Architecture-designed building. The south elevation facing York Mills will employ a range of materials, with large expanses of curtain wall and fritted bird-friendly glazing defining most of the architectural expression. Piers of aluminum composite panels, framing a patterned column of curtain wall glazing, comprise the central tower element.

South elevation, 850 York Mills Road, image via submission to the City of Toronto

Fenestration has been added to the north facade following feedback from City staff, helping to break up the massing. A combination of glazing and metal panels are used on the bulk of the elevation, with limestone activating the base.

North elevation, 850 York Mills Road, image via submission to the City of Toronto

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 in the space provided on this page.

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