The New Toronto area of South Etobicoke is an area dominated by low- and more recent mid-rises, as high as 14 storeys. A new proposal is poised to distinctly stand out at the southwest corner of Islington Avenue and Birmingham Street at a height of 26 storeys. Designed by Icon Architects for Taheri Development Inc, the Zoning By-law Amendment application for the mixed-use condominium building represents a significant step in the area's urban transformation.

Looking west to 210 Islington Avenue, designed by Icon Architects for Taheri Development Inc

Situated at 210 Islington Avenue, the proposal is set to reach a height of 85.47m and house 352 residential units. The design includes three elevators, offering an approximate ratio of one elevator per 117 units.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

The site is an assembly of two parcels, municipally known as 99 Birmingham Street and 210 Islington Avenue. The total area is 2,790m², and the lots are currently home to a 1 to 3-storey building used by a faith group, and surface parking.

Looking west to teh current site, image from submission to City of Toronto

The building's rectangular shape and massing look to respect the neighbourhood's character while introducing a contemporary architectural language. The development's 6-storey base supports a 20-storey tower characterized by a series of 4-storey volumes, each set staggered above the floors below, meant to minimize impact on sunlight access, views, and wind conditions in the surrounding areas.

An aerial view looking southwest, designed by Icon Architects for Taheri Development Inc

The proposal includes 1,000m² of retail space at ground level, with residences occupying the floors above, along with amenities of 704m² indoors and 786m² outdoors. The indoor amenities are distributed on the second and seventh floors, while the rooftop of the building's podium offers an expansive outdoor amenity area.

The podium of 210 Islington Avenue, Toronto, designed by Icon Architects for Taheri Development Inc

A total of 147 motor vehicle parking spaces are dedicated to residents, spread across three levels of underground garage. In response to a growing push from the City of Toronto for sustainable transit and reduced carbon emissions, 129 of these spaces would be equipped with electric vehicle charging infrastructure.  

The project also includes a robust bicycle parking facility, with a total of 265 spaces, comprising 20 publicly accessible, 5 short-term residential, and 240 long-term residential spaces. Residents would have access to cycle tracks along Birmingham Street, connecting to other cycling routes.

Site plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

TTC buses passing by the building serve\ Islington Station on Bloor Line 2 to the north, while the 501 streetcar is a block to the south at Lake Shore, serving the Long Branch Loop in the west where it links to GO Transit and Mississauga MiWay services, while eastbound it provides service to Downtown Toronto. Speed of access to Downtown may be improved in the future by the proposed Waterfront West LRT extension.

Height context map of the surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

The proposal would stand out due to its height compared to surrounding buildings. For instance, just across the street to the southwest, a proposed development at 150 Eighth Street is a modest 6-storey structure. At the south end of the block, Merlin Residences is a planned 9-storey building. Further west, half way to Kipling Avenue, Menkes' Lake & Town project, currently under construction, will reach a height of 5 storeys.

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:  Gradient Wind Engineers & Scientists, Icon Architects, VIP Condos Toronto, WND Associates Ltd