For the past few years, The Junction — centred around the intersection of Dundas West and Keele Street — has not just been drawing new residents from around the city, but has been changing the very face of its industrial past. Touted for its blue collar bones as an authentic alternative to other creative hotspots like West Queen West, this neighbourhood is now filling with artisans and small businesses, creating a truly vibrant and diverse urban node. As existing living spaces in the area continue to be snatched up for renovation, new mid-rise developments are just now moving into gaps in the urban fabric. Today we look at one new project doing just that: DUKE Condos. Taking its name from an amalgam of Dundas and Keele streets, DUKE Condos plans to rise to a modest seven storeys; six residential above one double-height commercial floor at ground level.

DUKE Condos rendering, image courtesy of TAS

Under development by TAS, DUKE plans to offer a wide range of unit sizes, from studios to three bedroom + den units. The complex will also include townhomes as well as large live/work lofts facing the rear laneway, perfect for local artists or those who would just like to live like one.

Involvement with the local art communitty is a big part of TAS's plan for DUKE. The company not only sponsors the Junction Flea Market every second Sunday, but they have employed local artisans extensively to design and build the sales centre, which will open this September.

DUKE Condos, image courtesy of TAS

Both the building and its interiors have been designed by Quadrangle Architects, who have crafted these variously sized cantilevered living spaces with standard nine-foot ceiling heights, as well as the double-height area in the live/work lofts. Almost all of the 92 suites here include terraces or balconies; the upper floors include wraparound terraces, while the penthouse suites include two-storey through-windows — that's windows on both the north and south side of the building — allowing for direct sunlight all day. On the second floor, the building's amenity space is fully equiped with a state of the art gym as well as a party room.

DUKE Condos Rendering, image courtesy of TAS

When the building is complete in November 2015, it will also include a wide variety of eco-friendly features including in-suite energy recovery ventilators, a green roof, and terrace planters for in-home gardening. Sales for DUKE begin in the fall, but registration has already begun, which you can do here.

For more information and renderings on this project, check out our dataBase listing below, join the discussion in one of our associated Forum threads, or add a comment in the space provided on this page.