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Located at the intersection of Yonge Street and Marlborough Avenue, a new mid-rise development is aiming to do something increasingly rare in Toronto’s condominium market: slow things down. Located at the edge of Rosedale and Summerhill, 1 Marlborough is being developed by Devron Developments and Dorsay Development Corporation as a 13-storey building containing 58 suites, anchored by a restored heritage structure. Rather than pursuing scale, the project is framed around proportion, materiality, and larger-format homes in a neighbourhood where those qualities define the surrounding area.
With just 58 residences, the building is conceived as an extension of its context. Suites are planned to range from approximately 1,800 ft² to over 8,000 ft², sizes that position them closer to traditional houses than typical condominium units. The emphasis here is on long-term occupancy, with layouts that accommodate working, hosting, and multi-generational living. In a market that has often prioritized efficiency, the project instead leans into space, permanence, and the idea of a home designed to be lived in over time.
"Markets move in cycles, but beautiful buildings in great neighbourhoods endure," said Pouyan Safapour, President at Devron. "When homes are thoughtfully designed and truly meant for living, people value them differently. They keep them longer, they care for them, and they pass them forward to next generations.”
The location reinforces that approach. Sitting between the activity of Yonge Street and the quieter residential streets beyond, the site's condition is increasingly difficult to replicate. While shops, restaurants, and transit are immediately accessible, the surrounding streets remain defined by mature trees and a long-established housing stock. New development at this scale is limited in this part of the city, making the addition notable not just for what it proposes, but where it is able to do so.
At its base, the project retains a heritage building dating to 1930, originally constructed as a showroom for the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company. Designed by Sparling, Martin & Forbes, the structure reflects a blend of Byzantine and Renaissance Revival influences, expressed through its arched openings, carved stonework, and sculptural detailing. The building later took on a second life as a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation production facility, contributing to early television programming before operations moved downtown in the 1990s.
Much of that character remains visible today. Cast-stone elements by artist Merle Foster (including ornamental figures and gargoyle-like forms) continue to define the facade and will be restored as part of the project, with ERA Architects overseeing the conservation strategy. Rather than being treated as a backdrop, the existing structure forms the basis for the development’s architectural direction.
"We have worked to respect the heritage of this important property and the storied neighbourhood by restoring the façade and designing contemporary residences above it," said Ian MacLeod, Senior Vice-President at Dorsay. "The Pierce-Arrow showroom was originally built as a temple to a luxury automobile. With 1 Marlborough, we are honouring this heritage and reviving the grandeur of the facade including the Merle Foster gargoyles and the double-height arches."
Designed by Audax, the new building above draws directly from that foundation. Instead of a glass-dominant approach, the design uses masonry, depth, and repetition to create a more solid, enduring presence. Arched forms reappear in the upper levels through a series of loggias, extending the language of the heritage base upward. The result is a building that reads as a continuation rather than a contrast, with a consistent architectural rhythm from street level to the crown.
That sense of continuity carries into the residential program. The suites are conceived as full-scale homes, with layouts that allow for flexibility over time. Private outdoor spaces are included throughout, and many residences feature direct elevator access, offering a level of privacy more commonly associated with low-rise living. The scale of these homes reflects a different set of priorities, where space is treated as a primary feature.
Behind the finishes, the project incorporates a series of building systems. Described as Devron Building Sciences, these measures include improved acoustic separation, high-performance glazing, and dedicated fresh air ventilation systems. Additional features such as leak detection with automatic shutoff, in-suite humidification, and water filtration are part of the design, focusing on durability and comfort over the long term.
Amenities follow a similar logic, scaled to match the size of the building and its residents. Plans include a residents’ lounge, private dining room, and bar, along with wellness and fitness spaces and a meeting room. Services such as valet and a pet spa are also proposed, supporting a lifestyle more aligned with experienced homeowners than first-time buyers.
"1 Marlborough is a break from the conventional Toronto condominium building," said MacLeod. "With Audax, we have designed a building that honours the heritage of the beautiful facade and new contemporary residences above. All with the objective of respecting the special neighbourhood and its character."
At street level, the project returns to its most visible gesture: the restoration of the heritage facade. The double-height arcade along Yonge Street is to be reopened and adapted for retail, bringing activity back into the arched bays that once defined the building’s presence. Along Marlborough Avenue, a landscaped patio introduces something quieter, extending the building into the residential streetscape. Together, these elements reconnect the site to its surroundings.
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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