The Toronto condo scene is a hotbed for glass and steel these days, and is lousy with spandrel panels and littered with precast, while fewer and fewer new buildings feature brick as their most prominent cladding. Across the GTA, years of unloved and poorly designed "commie slab" apartment buildings unremarkably clad in brick are the likely culprits in this material's fall from grace. It's nothing that a sensitive, articulated treatment at a major new project cannot fix however, and at Dufferin and Lawrence in North York, Lanterra Developments intends to do just that with Treviso. 

Project rendering, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

Treviso, is designed by Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects to appeal to the area's large Italian population, and to those who appreciate the Italian lifestyle. Most units in the complex feature much larger balconies than found in the average Toronto condo, including built-in planter boxes and folding shutters. The balconies, or terrazzi in Treviso-speak, are large enough in most suites for both a conversation area as well as an outdoor dining table. Other suites surrounding the outdoor recreation area on the second floor feature small garden areas, or giardiniof course. So, let's take a look at a terrazzo.

Balcony rendering, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

Inside your unit, your horizon will be a line of flowers and plants on your balcony.

Living room rendering, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

That line of plants defining your view while seated is quite the kindness until the redevelopment of the area finishes. Here's what Dufferin and Lawrence looks like now,

Current site, image from Google Streetview

The improvements start right away though, with phase 1. Here it is from the air. (Looking southeast, the background shown is not that of the area.)

Project rendering, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

Getting closer, we can see the mix of glass and brick, regular balconies and terraces, on the complex.

Material detail, image courtesy of Lanterra Developments

So let's get a look at the complex from other angles. In this view from across Lawrence Avenue, we see that the ground floor is double-height for street level retailers.

Project rendering, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

Moving into the development's courtyards, or piazza areas, between the buildings, this view looks between north and south arms of phase 2 towards the current selling phase 1 in the background. Note the landscaping, designed with an eye to creating community, by NAK Design Strategies.

Courtyard amenity, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

Separating phases 1 and 2 is a pedestrian street with canal and bridges.

Pedestrian Street and Canal, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

All of this can be seen in the site plan. Phase 1 is the building group in the lower right corner.

Teviso site plan, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

Phase 1's pool and hot tub can be seen in the plan above, located on the second floor deck between the building's arms.

Pool amenity, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

Inside, just off the deck, is the Treviso party room.

Party room, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

One final interior look before we head out for the evening: here is Treviso's Munge Leung-designed lobby:

Lobby, courtesy of Lanterra Developments

A last look northeast across Lawrence towards Treviso at dusk, light fading from the sky:

Project rendering, courtesy of Lanterra Developments