5.9K 
Another tall tower has been proposed to replace low-rise buildings in Toronto's Upper Jarvis area, where an ambitious 63-storey condo proposal at 5 Huntley Street joins a surge in proposals is pushing the local limits on density and verticality. Designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Earl Huntley Limited Partnership, this tower would be a 7-minute walk away from Sherbourne station on Bloor-Danforth Line 2.
An assembly of 2 through 8 Earl Street and 5 Huntley Street, the site encompasses a generally rectangular area of approximately 1,350m². Situated east of Jarvis Street and west of Sherbourne Street, the site currently hosts a mix of residential uses, with two semi-detached dwellings at 2-8 Earl Street and a three-story detached dwelling at 5 Huntley Street. The Upper Jarvis Neighbourhood, characterized by a diverse architectural mix, reflects the gradual transition from predominantly low-rise townhomes and single-family homes to increasingly taller residential structures.
To pave the way for the new development, the existing residential structures would be demolished. The proposal requires a number of regulatory changes, addressed via combined applications for an Official Plan Amendment, a Zoning By-law Amendment, and a Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion. The Official Plan Amendment seeks to redesignate the area from "Neighbourhoods" to "Apartment Neighbourhoods," permitting the construction of a tower that significantly exceeds the current four-storey height limit. Additionally, the Rental Housing Demolition and Conversion application addresses the need to replace the four rental units currently on site.
The proposed development would reach a height of 209.2m with 730 residential units, with a mix of studio to three-bedroom suites. The building's design includes 733m² of indoor amenity area distributed across the ground and fifth floors, and 137m² of outdoor amenity area also located on the fifth floor. The development's substantial Gross Floor Area (GFA) totals 50,581m², resulting in a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 37.47. The tower's floor plate would be approximately 888m², exceeding the City's usual maximum of 750m².
The structural base would feature a 4-storey podium with the tower rising above, punctuated by a two-storey reveal that adds architectural interest and breaks up the massing of the building. The design proposes six elevators, resulting in a ratio of approximately 122 units per elevator, indicating longer wait times for residents during peak hours. While the proposal includes a single underground level, it notably includes no residential parking, reflecting the site’s access to public transit. Two visitor parking spaces are provided, however, alongside 806 bicycle parking spots.
Located 400m southwest of Sherbourne station, the site is an 11-minute walk (600m) northeast of Wellesley station, and a 12-minute walk (700m) southeast of the major interchange at Yonge-Bloor station, placing it within Major Transit Station Areas. These stations provide access to both Yonge-University Line 1 and Bloor-Danforth Line 2. Additionally, the area is served by several bus routes, including the 94 Wellesley, and 75 Sherbourne.
Surrounding development proposals illustrate a shift towards significantly tall structures. Notably, directly west of the site, a development at 10 Huntley Street proposes a 45-storey building, while southwest at Jarvis & Earl Place, plans for a 58-storey tower are underway. There are several tall proposals along Isabella Street between Church and Sherbourne Streets, with 164-168 Isabella Street set to stand at 67 storeys, while 90, 135, and 137-141 Isabella Street are all proposed at 69 storeys. 137-147 Isabella was refused by the City.
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.
* * *
UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
| Related Companies: | Crozier & Associates Consulting Engineers, Goldberg Group, HGC Engineering Inc, Jablonsky, Ast and Partners, LEA Consulting, Sysconverge Inc, Turner Fleischer Architects |
