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Submitted to the City of Toronto in 2018 and revised last year, an AUDAX architecture-designed office building proposed to rise across the street from the under-construction KING Toronto development has further evolved. C Squared Properties initially pursued permissions for a 15-storey commercial building at 580 King West before City Planning refused the rezoning application and a revised version, setting the stage for proceedings at the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT).
The initial 15-storey iteration of the development proposed an office volume above the retained facade of the 1906-built Davis & Henderson Building. City staff cited the height, built form and massing, heritage impact and conservation, and shadowing as primary concerns in a January, 2019 refusal report adopted by City Council.
In February, 2019 the applicant team submitted a revised proposal with a reduced 11-storey scale with the intention of avoiding an appeal to the LPAT. It too was refused by the City, and the application was appealed to the LPAT the following month.
Documents submitted to the City in August, 2020 depict a further evolution of plans, with a nine-storey, 40.14-metre-tall building now contemplated. The 3,535 m² proposal includes a two-storey base element comprised of the adaptive reuse of the heritage-listed Davis & Henderson Building, which would remain in-situ. The existing first floor will be lowered to meet current accessibility standards and retail guidelines.
An inset light well and third floor outdoor terrace continue to be proposed along the east facade of the building. The light well, acting to increase light penetration for the upper levels of the building, has increased in size to align with the existing light well at Fashion House to the east.
Loading spaces and a car elevator to access a below-grade garage would be situated at the rear of the structure. A total of 18 vehicular and 27 bicycle parking spaces are envisioned.
Now featuring a sleek expanse of glazing interrupted by 1.5-metre-deep inset treatments, the south facade of the tower has been revised to better respond to the 590 King Street West proposal next door to the west. Plans for a 5.3-metre setback from the existing heritage facade remain, giving prominence to the base building.
The inset treatments, which result in three projecting bay elements, are eliminated above the sixth level, where additional step-backs lead to the mechanical penthouse. The step-back at the seventh storey results in two more outdoor terraces of approximately 112 and 65 m². The imposition of multiple setbacks and step-backs are meant to address staff concerns related to light, view and privacy impacts on Fashion House.
An LPAT hearing respecting the appealed rezoning application is scheduled for November 24, 2020.
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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| Related Companies: | AUDAX, Bousfields |
