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Toronto’s East End Danforth area could be the site of a large-scale redevelopment project following the announcement of a multi-tower mixed-use development from Victoria Wood/Main Square LP. The proposal outlines a redevelopment strategy for the site at 2575 Danforth Avenue, that would see the construction of five new buildings ranging from 15 to 55 storeys, designed by WZMH Architects.
The site, located at the southeast corner of Danforth Avenue and Main Street, is currently occupied by a residential complex known as Main Square, comprising four slab-style apartment buildings constructed in 1972, ranging from 9 to 29 storeys and offering a total of 1,123 units. The complex also hosts one non-residential building found on the southern edge of the site, the Main Square Community Centre.
The proponent intends to redevelop the site in a way that integrates the existing buildings into the new development, bringing an additional 1,543 units to Main Square while only requiring the removal of 10 existing units. To accomplish this, the development plan would see full-scale demolition limited to the community centre, while the residential buildings would experience more minor renovations.
The new buildings would essentially fill in the gaps on the site and attempt to create a more intimate and pedestrian friendly streetwall that erases the deep setback of the current buildings, a characteristic of 70’s slab-style developments that has proven to deaden street life. Additionally, a full overhaul of the existing landscaping is outlined to help transform Main Square into a denser, more lively community.
The proposal seeks approval for the rezoning application based on the site’s position within a particularly well serviced Major Transit Station Area (MTSA). Main Station on the Danforth Line 2 subway, is located just across the street to the north, while Danforth GO station nearly abuts the site to the south. A spike in density of this scale responds to the Province's policy encouraging the intensification of MTSAs.
The proposal uses a lettering system to identify the existing and proposed buildings, assigning letters A through D to the existing buildings in a clockwise order beginning with the 29-storey building abutting Main Street. Letters E through H are assigned to the new buildings, but in a less ordered fashion. Building E is proposed at 15 storeys and is located at the northwest corner of the site; Building F is the tallest of the proposal, standing 55 storeys with a height of 176m, and is found at the southeast corner of the site on the west side of the access road; Building G reaches 33 storeys, and occupies the northeast corner, while the 29-storey Building H occupies the southwest corner; finally, Building I, at 15 storeys, is found on the narrow wing of the site that extends out to the east, south of an adjacent parking lot for a Canadian Tire store.
With several points of interest emerging from the proposal, the improvements to the public realm and landscaping immediately stand out. With the help of landscape architects Ferris + Associates Inc., a fresh approach to the newly laid out site would see a network of roads and walkways lined with greenery and trees, and a central plaza area with seating for different kinds of social gathering.
Meanwhile, a dramatic reconfiguration of the street facing frontages along Danforth Avenue and Main Street would elevate the possibilities for retail and foot traffic in the public realm. Grade level retail spaces are proposed in all of the new buildings but Building I, creating new opportunities for restaurants and cafes to be introduced and heighten the community experience. These improvements are punctuated by a prominent arch motif that appears throughout the development in different heights and colours, providing covered walking space and a distinct visual character.
The WZMH Architects tower design is another point of interest, featuring a diverse array of materials, textures, and forms. Smooth curved edges meet rigid corners, pale brick meets bright metal, and low profile structures meet soaring towers on a site that is anything but uniform.
Aside from the arches that appear at different heights all within the pedestrian scale, another recurring motif is found at the mechanical penthouse levels of new buildings, which are all to be clad in a white aluminium panelling. The shorter 3 buildings feature conventionally shaped cladding with a mix of curved and sharp corners. Buildings F and G, however, get a more creative treatment, with the metal panelling formed into a wavelike swoosh that appears to curve downward towards the north.
The existing buildings will mostly see improvements to theit lobbies, and the conversion and combining of several smaller units to larger suites. A partial demolition is also planned in the podium of Building B to allow for a relocation and expansion of the existing Main Square Daycare.
As for the fate of the community centre, the City has committed to the construction of a replacement in the surrounding neighbourhood. Plans have not been finalized, but some possible locations could be found in a podium of one of the other several proposed developments in the area.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, 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: | EQ Building Performance Inc., Ferris + Associates Inc., Grounded Engineering Inc., MCW Consultants Ltd, RWDI Consulting Engineers and Scientists, WZMH Architects |
