Spire Properties Ltd., is proposing a 24-storey mixed-use residential development to replace a surface parking lot at 237 Victoria Street in Downtown Toronto, immediately south of the Senator Restaurant. Proposed is 18 tower storeys rising above a 6-storey podium. Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment been submitted to the City of Toronto by planning consultants Bousfield Inc., along with Site Plan Approval for the newly proposed tower. 

Looking east to the parking lot at 237 Victoria Street, image retrieved from Google Street View

Located under the St Michaels helicopter flight path, the height of the proposal is therefore on the shorter side compared to its other tower buildings in the area, with a total height of 79 metres to the top of mechanical penthouse. The proposal's combined GFA of around 17,826 m² includes a residential GFA of 17,410m² with 416m² of retail space, and a gross FSI of 14.20 on the site.

Looking northwest to 237 Victoria Street, designed by IBI Group Architects for Spire Properties Ltd

The proposal, designed by IBI Group, aims to provide 256 residential units, with 13% studio units, 50% one-bedroom, 25% two-bedroom, and 11% three bedrooms. Vehicular access is proposed from Victoria Street Lane on the east side of the site, through a single driveway entrance to servicing and one level of underground parking, where 13 spaces would be dedicated to residential motor vehicles, plus 4 for visitors, and one additional accessible parking space. There would also be 257 bicycle parking spaces, with 231 spaces for residents and 26 for visitors. 

West elevation diagram of 237 Victoria Street, designed by IBI Group Architects for Spire Properties Ltd

The site is just east of Yonge Street, with Dundas Street East to the north of it, Bond and Church streets to the east, and Shuter Street to the south. The area features significant amounts of retailing, while Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and St Michael’s Hospital are major landholders in the surrounding blocks. Applications for the redevelopment bring in additional housing and retail uses for the area, similar to its surrounding context. 

Looking east to the ground realm of 237 Victoria Street, designed by IBI Group Architects for Spire Properties Ltd

The area is well served by transit, with Dundas subway station on Yonge Line 1 subway about 100 metres to the north. Bus and streetcar routes pass close by the site, while the future Ontario Line 3 subway will bring faster east-west travel to the area about a decade from now.

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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