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A proposed redevelopment along a stretch of Eastern Avenue in Leslieville introduces a vibrant new point of transition between residential to the north and gritty industrial to the south. Envisioning a greener and more livable neighbourhood, TAS Design Build recently submitted a Zoning By-Law Amendment application to the City of Toronto for a 12-storey mixed-use building comprised of purpose-built rental housing and community-oriented commercial space.
The site at 880 Eastern Avenue is located on the northwest corner with Knox Avenue. It is presently occupied by a one-storey automotive body repair shop, a two-storey industrial printing facility, and an associated surface parking lot. Designed by SvN Architects + Planners, the firm aimed for a building which responds to the distinct character of the bordering streets: industrial, residential, and laneway characters for Eastern Avenue, Knox Avenue and Sears Street, respectively.
The proposal contemplates a 12-storey building fronting onto Eastern Avenue, which steps down to 8 storeys at the site’s interior and 4 storeys at the rear. A 3-storey podium wraps the facades, and upper-level units are organized around a central courtyard—the heart of the development. As illustrated in the diagram below, step-backs provide the location for a variety of outdoor areas for residents and visitors to gather: sunken courtyard surrounded by exterior circulation corridors, green roof for on-site food production, and upper level roof terraces.
The proposal provides 12,844 m² of Gross Floor Area (GFA) comprised of 363 m² non-residential GFA and 12,481 m² residential GFA. Integrated live/work units front Knox Avenue, while stacked townhouses front Sears Street, providing a transition and enhanced interface with the residential neighbourhood north of the site. Grade level commercial space on Eastern Avenue is intended to serve community needs, whether it be spaces for social enterprises and production, shared work spaces, or retail and services. The residential entrance is located at the southeast corner, while vehicular and servicing access is provided from a private laneway along the western edge of the property.
The building is comprised of 157 dwelling units ranging in type and size: 82 one-bedrooms (52%), 59 two-bedrooms (38%), 16 three-bedrooms (10%). The building’s layout and unit typologies increase opportunities for residents to have easy access to open air and increased exposure to sunlight. Over half of units in the development have two facades with operable windows providing both daylight and natural ventilation. In over 38% of units, residents walk outdoors directly from their unit, whereas a typical development requires residents to travel through the elevator and lobby to access the outdoors.
Two levels of parking underground parking provide space for 120 vehicles and 181 bicycles.
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: | ASPECT Structural Engineers, EQ Building Performance Inc., Figure3, gh3, SvN, TAS, Vortex Fire Consulting Inc. |
