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Urbancorp has applied for a zoning by-law amendment for a proposed development plan for 121 Avenue Road at Webster Avenue, one block south of Davenport Road in the heart of Yorkville. Urbancorp is proposing a building that would reach 14 storeys in height containing 14 residential units along with a gallery space at grade. The development will stand where the St. Paul’s-Avenue Road United Church once stood. The church was constructed in 1877 and heritage designated in 1979, but fell victim to arson in 1995.
The rendering and elevations—by TACT Architecture—show a unique skeletal design that is light, airy, and modern, and is much taller than surrounding structures. Interior walls are not included in the rendering, and it is likely that the glass would have a somewhat reflective coating to cut down on heat transmission, so the transparency shown in the rendering should not be considered representative of the final look that this proposal would produce.
The height is major concern to many who live in the community, and it would seem with the City’s Planning Department who would rather see mid-rise Avenues style buildings along this stretch of Avenue Road. The proposal as it stands does not allow for a gradual transition to the adjacent 2 to 3.5-storey homes along Webster Avenue, and it would add significant shadowing to the properties.
More elevations from the application to the City give a fuller idea of Urbancorp’s plan for 121 Avenue Road.
A section from Avenue Road to the Hazelton Avenue shows that at 14 storeys, a person walking along the sidewalk on the either side of Hazelton Avenue would not be able to see the proposed building.
Want to know more about 121 Avenue Road? Join in on the conversation in UrbanToronto's thread for the project here. You are always welcome to leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
