UrbanToronto

Assembly's Blueprint for Sustainable Urban Living in the GTHA

Anthony Teles — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:20:30 -0400

As Canada grapples with the increasing need for sustainable and affordable housing, Assembly Corporation has emerged as a crucial player in addressing these complex challenges. Founded in 2018, Assembly is notable for its modular, turn-key building solutions, specializing in multi-unit residential projects throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). Utilizing mass-timber and light-frame wood panels manufactured offsite, Assembly’s innovative construction techniques enable more sustainable and efficient building than traditional methods.

Assembly streamlines the building process while committing to creating spaces that are both humanizing and environmentally conscious. Their sustainable building practices, focusing on mid-rise housing and urban infill, using existing infrastructure to avoid creating sprawl that threatens our natural landscapes. With a portfolio of six completed and 12 ongoing projects, Assembly’s method of using pre-fabricated, wood products promises a scalable solution to deliver affordable, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing homes.

Looking north to 1602 Queen Street East, image courtesy of Assembly

In February 2021, Assembly marked a milestone with the completion of its pilot project at 1602 Queen Street East, (above), the first all-wood, mass-timber six-storey residential building in Ontario. Designed by SMV Architects, this groundbreaking development showcases Assembly's sustainable construction practices. Research conducted by the Centre for Climate Change Management and Energy and Power Innovation Centre at Mohawk College highlighted that this pilot project operates with 35% less operational carbon per square foot compared to similar residential buildings.

Looking at Assembly’s portfolio, all the ones noted below feature Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Mass-timber floor panels and light-frame engineered wood wall panels prefabricated at a large scale. High-performance envelopes and efficient mechanical systems result in a building performance between 20% to 55% better than code requirements. Each project provides 20% more barrier-free units than required by building code.

The 60 Bowden Street development, in partnership with Woodgreen Community Housing and designed by McCallumSather Architects, will transform the site of Danforth Baptist Church with affordable apartments tailored for underserved seniors. Incorporating a geothermal heat pump system, the eight-storey building optimizes energy use while providing a full spectrum of health and wellness supports.

Looking southwest to Danforth Church Housing Addition, designed by McCallumSather for Assembly Corporation, and Woodgreen Community Housing Inc

Currently under construction, 215 Wellesley Street East is an eight-storey residential infill project set to provide supportive units specifically designed for women transitioning from incarceration and facing poverty. CMV Group was the design architect and the architect on record is McCallumSather. This building integrates a geothermal ground source heat pump. Situated in Cabbagetown, the building also includes critical support services located at grade, which assist residents in developing essential life management and employment skills.

Under construction at 2217 Kingston Road, a collaborative effort between Assembly and the Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society reflects a deep commitment to sustainability and social responsibility. This six-storey building, designed by McCallumSather Architects and Smoke Architects, is geared towards providing transitional housing and comprehensive support for formerly incarcerated Indigenous women. True to Indigenous teachings on respecting the land, this project features a geothermal ground source heat pump, ensuring the operation is environmentally friendly.

Thunder Woman Healing Lodge, designed by McCallum Sather Architects for Assembly Corporation and Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society

7 Vanauley Street will serve as an inclusive space in Toronto's Alexandra Park. This six-storey affordable housing project, undertaken in partnership with the YMCA of Greater Toronto, will provide housing specifically dedicated to 2SLGBTQ+ youth who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Using a geothermal ground source heat pump for its heating and cooling needs, the Rent-Geared-to-Income model ensures that no tenant pays more than 30% of their income towards housing.

An aerial view of 7 Vanauley Street, designed by CMV Group architects for YMCA of Greater Toronto

Finally, 1120 Ossington Avenue is an infill project under construction in Toronto's Davenport neighbourhood. This three-storey project, with designing architect Smart Density and the architect on record McCallum Sather Architects, is a strategic addition to an existing converted church, expanding its capacity with 26 affordable units. Assembly is focused here on rapid housing delivery, specifically targeting groups in need; this building is constructed using mass timber and equipped with air source heat pumps.

Looking southwest to 1120 Ossington Avenue, designed by Smart Density for Assembly Corporation

Assembly continues to push the boundaries of sustainable construction and affordable housing, with the company poised to further innovate with advancements in modular building technologies, accessibility, and sustainable practices, aiming to create more livable, resilient, and inclusive urban environments.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on these developments, but in the meantime, you can learn more about them from our Database files, 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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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.

RAD's State of the Market 2024 to Feature Talks on AI and Real Estate

Anthony Teles — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:17:03 -0400

With our calendars having flipped to May, Toronto's real estate community is anticipating the third annual “State of the Market” event on Thursday, May 9, hosted by RAD Marketing. The event, to be held at Cineplex Queensway at 1025 The Queensway, is subtitled “The Revolution," particularly looking at pre-construction markets and Artificial Intelligence. This exclusive agent-only gathering has drawn in over 1,200 agents over the years, and hundreds are expected to come this year.

As in previous years, attendees will hear from Riz Dhanji, a leader in pre-construction real estate whose insights and strategies have helped sculpt the skyline of Toronto and beyond. Known for his dynamic approach and deep market acumen, Dhanji will offer insights for those looking to elevate their own business acumen in a competitive industry. This year, Dhanji will explore the evolving landscape of pre-construction real estate, focusing on upcoming trends and the impact of international market shifts on Canadian commissions. He will also discuss RAD Marketing's upcoming pipeline.

Riz Dhanji, Founder and President of RAD Marketing, Salim Teja, Partner with Radical Ventures

The event will kick off with an introduction by UrbanToronto, setting the stage for the two presentations, as well as RAD's sales team who will be present to discuss their projects, including Forêt Forest Hill^TM, KING Toronto, Craft Residences, Leaside Common, and Corktown. Salim Teja, a partner at Radical Ventures, a venture capital firm with a focus on AI, will open the first session. With over 25 years of experience in technology and entrepreneurship, Teja is ideally placed to discuss the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and real estate. His talk, titled "The AI Journey," aims to look at how AI and market dynamics will change the real estate industry and how agents can use AI to their advantage, and optimizing AI within real estate.

Following Teja's insights, the spotlight will return to Dhanji for the second session. His presentation, "Unlocking Tomorrow: How to 10X Your Business by Navigating Pre-Con Markets in 2024 and Beyond," will dive deep into the mechanisms of pre-construction markets and RAD’s robust project pipeline. Dhanji’s extensive background, from his early days in Vancouver and Hong Kong to his pivotal roles in major Canadian and international developments, has uniquely positioned him to forecast and influence market trends.

Downtown Toronto from Casa Loma, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Paclo

Dhanji’s connection to innovation is not just professional but personal. Recounting a conversation with Teja, Dhanji shared, "We were speaking a few months ago about how the real estate industry has been the slowest to be disrupted. Salim mentioned a company using robotics and AI to build homes — something very revolutionary for our industry — hence the idea came about to split the presentation to discuss the ‘Revolution’ of our industry, and then I would discuss the market and what the future holds.”

Beyond the strategic insights that will be shared at the event, it will of course present excellent networking opportunities, and a chance to forge the future of Toronto’s real estate. For industry professionals keen on staying ahead of the curve, the conversations that begin at the Cineplex Queensway could very well shape their strategies for years to come. With a blend of expert analysis, future-focused discussions, and a clear vision for the next wave of real estate innovation, the State of the Market 2024 is set to be a beneficial experience for any real estate professional.

“This is the first time this has ever been done by integrating these two topics in real estate in Toronto to a group of prominent real estate agents,” Dhanji concluded, “and shows how we can help our real estate agent partners improve their business for the future.”

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Congratulations to our Avontuura Guides Winners!

Craig White — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:13:20 -0400

UrbanToronto is pleased to announce that three of our readers are lucky winners of the full set of Avontuura Guides created by Toronto architect Karl van Es. The Guides are pocket-sized references created for people who love to check out a city's architectural landmarks when they travel. Each guide pinpoints great buildings and provides suggested tour routes around town to catch them efficiently. Publication of the series began in 2023, and has just reached a dozen titles, with Amsterdam, Berlin, Singapore, and Toronto just having been added to the set last month.

Buildings that any tourist would want to find can be found on the maps, like the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and Sagrada Familia, but Modern masterworks that true architecture buffs will be looking for can also be found as well, like Copenhagen's Copenhill, London's Barbican Estate, and Singapore's Marina Bay Sands. Other gems are on the maps too, like Berlin's Bauhaus Archive, Los Angeles' Ramón C. Cortines School, and Tokyo's Fuji Kindergarten. In fact, as curated lists, the Wanderer guides will help you discover buildings that you might have overlooked up to this point too!

Karl van Es, and the Legend for the Hong Kong Avontuura Wanderer map

Winners for the full set are our TikTok followers @patriciadiaz065, @max.monte, and @mathieudepompa22. Congratulations to them, the Avontuura products will be on their way shortly!

As a thank you to all who entered, even if you didn't win, UrbanToronto will have more Avontuura Guides — particularly here in our home city! — to be gift to our community in the coming months. Stay tuned for more opportunities!

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Rebar Reigns Supreme as Cielo Condos Staging Slab Pour Set for May

Anthony Teles — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:30:29 -0400

In the heart of Toronto's culturally and historically rich Annex, Cielo Condos continues to progress. Designed by KPMB Architects for Collecdev-Markee Developments, this project at 300 Bloor Street West skilfully integrates the heritage walls of the 19th-century Bloor Street United Church within a modernist architectural framework. With the ground floor staging slab now approximately halfway to completion, it sets the stage for the next phases of this development.

Cielo Condos, designed by KPMB Architects for Collecdev-Markee Developments

Looking southwest across the site in early April, 2024, the complexity of the staging slab's groundwork is evident. Densely packed rebar juts upward and across, positioned to reinforce the concrete and ensure structural integrity. In the foreground, yellow horizontal walers provide essential stabilization for formwork panels. To the left, construction crews manoeuvre around a series of vertical I-beams. To the right, we see a white mobile crane, its arm extended towards the sky.

Looking southwest to densely packed rebar and mobile crane to the right, image courtesy of Collecdev-Markee Developments

A southeast view from right over the rebar mesh emphasizes the labyrinth of meticulously arranged rods which will be the inner strength of the slab. The ribbed rebar is engineered so that it and the concrete surrounding it will securely locked together. Construction crews navigate this steel maze, positioning and tying the rebar together with wire. To the left, two workers focus intently on a row of J-hook rebar, critical in managing tensile stresses within the concrete matrix.

A close-up view of the rebar with construction crews working on the J-hook rebar stakes, image courtesy of Collecdev-Markee Developments

Looking southeast, the construction team prepares for the impending final pours of the ground floor staging slab. In front is the Amherst mobile crane, its boom stretching across the site. Below, the excavation and shoring work is readying for the next phase of reinforcement. In the background, the Tyvek HomeWrap clings to the heritage masonry of the church, a protective layer that shields the stonework from the rigours of construction and the weather.

The poured concrete for the temporary ground floor staging slab ahead of the final pours, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor flonicky

Looking northwest from Madison Avenue, one block to the west, the historic George C. Pidgeon House still stands — behind the concrete of the Tartu College garage entry — with the aid of a steel scaffold, and amidst renovation and preservation efforts. The ongoing disassembly of Pidgeon House is a at critical phase, focusing on the removal of the existing flooring while safeguarding the structural integrity that defines this Richardsonian Romanesque heritage building, dating back to the late 19th century. Unseen from this distant perspective, crews are busy installing weather protection barriers inside the structure, a proactive measure to shield the interior from the elements and construction debris. Meanwhile, presence of heavy machinery including a CAT excavator, shows work underway on the adjacent KESKUS Estonian Cultural Centre.

Looking northeast to ongoing structural demolition of the Pidgeon House, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor flonicky

In a perspective from above looking east, the Cielo Condos construction site unfolds beneath the spring sky. At this stage, the ground floor staging slab is approximately 50% complete, with preparations underway for the final concrete pours scheduled in early May. In the forefront, the white mobile crane (with a bright red base) marks the view. Along the south side, near the preserved walls of the church, construction materials are organized, adjacent to the shoring walls where tiebacks ensure stability and safety. Off to the left, the ongoing restoration and structural reinforcement of the Pidgeon House can be partially seen.

An aerial view looking east to the progress on the temporary ground floor staging slab and Pidgeon House (left), image courtesy of Collecdev-Markee Developments

As work on Cielo Condos continues, the project continues to anticipate a decision from the Toronto Local Appeal Body that will determine whether the building will be allowed an increase of 5 storeys to 34 storeys / 120.35m, and a new total of 349 residential units.

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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News Roundup for May 3, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Fri, 03 May 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Home sales in GTA down in April but new listings surge, according to Toronto Regional Real Estate Board; a breakdown of new proposals aiming to address the housing crisis; GO Transit Lakeshore West line to see reduced weekend train service in May and June; and other news.

Home sales in GTA down in April but new listings surge, real estate board says (The Globe and Mail)

Overwhelmed by a firehose of political promises to fix the housing crisis? Here’s a breakdown of new proposals — and which ones might actually work (The Star)

GO Transit Lakeshore West line to see reduced weekend train service in May and June (CityNews)

With this weekend’s Toronto Marathon, our high-traffic city is about to hit its busy season (The Star)

Federal government to help fund 2026 World Cup in Toronto (The Star)

Ontario's carbon emissions jump back to pre-pandemic levels (CBC)

Weekend need-to-know: Toronto Marathon hits the pavement (CityNews)

Gap-Toothed

Craig White — Fri, 03 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Cherry House at Canary Landing is a new, block-sized residential development currently under construction in Toronto's West Don Lands. This fish-eye lens (or panorama-mode) photo — same effect — by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy, looks south through the development, halfway along its north side on Front Street. The break in the buildings here, revealing the courtyard within the block, gives a somewhat gap-toothed appearance, heightened by the overhangs that reach out to each other.

Construction at various stages on Cherry House, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy

Want to see your work featured as Daily Photo? You can post in the City Photos & Videos section of the UrbanToronto Forum, or submit your images to our UrbanToronto Flickr Pool for your chance to be featured on our Front Page.

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14-Tower Brookdale Centre Redevelopment Proposed in Pickering

Anthony Teles — Thu, 02 May 2024 17:20:31 -0400

Tribute Communities and BentallGreenOak are proposing an ambitious multi-phased, mixed-use community located between Kingston Road and the 401 in Pickering. Designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, the proposal would redevelop the Brookdale Centre shopping plaza with 14 towers ranging from 17 to 35 storeys high.

Looking northwest to the Brookdale Centre Redevelopment from Highway 401, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Tribute Communities

The Brookdale Centre site, approximately 7.74 hectares in area, is located at the addresses of 1101A, 1105, and 1163 Kingston Road, only a few hundred metres west of Liverpool Road. The site presently hosts an array of low-rise retail establishments, including The Home Depot and Food Basics, along with plenty of surface parking.

Looking east to the current site of Brookdale Centre, image retrieved from Google Maps

The redevelopment plan is a multi-stage project with phased construction. Phase 1 sets the foundation with two buildings soaring to 17 to 23 storeys, with 1,211 residential units in total, substantial retail space, and daycare facilities.

Phasing plan, image from submission to City of Pickering

As the phases progress, the scale increases, further enhancing the residential offerings with towers peaking at 35 storeys, bringing the total unit count to 5,238 across the development. The buildings’ heights would range from 61m to 115m. The layout is set to include 6,237m² of POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly accessible Spaces) and 4,458m² of dedicated public parkland. Additionally, new public and private roads would subdivide the site and connect to existing infrastructure. The the new public street planned through the development would feature shared bike facilities and a Multi-Use Path for cyclists and pedestrians would provide active transportation facilities within the site and to the surroundings.

Streetscape, Brookdale Centre Redevelopment, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Tribute Communities

Each tower would rise from a 6-storey podium, integrating retail and community spaces, as well as supporting a variety of tower configurations. The Gross Floor Area (GFA) for the project would total approximately 332,835m², with a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 5.0. The GFA is primarily residential, supplemented by 7,149m² of retail area and 716m² dedicated to daycare facilities. Indoor and outdoor amenities are commensurate with the planned density, each covering over 10,476m².

Looking east to the Brookdale Centre Redevelopment from Kingston Road, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Tribute Communities

Architectural drawings indicate three elevators per tower, resulting in 102 units per elevator for one of the smaller towers, to 145 units per elevator in one of the taller towers, resulting in longer wait times for the taller towers.

Site plan, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Tribute Communities

The design includes three underground garage levels and additional above-grade parking, totalling 4,215 vehicle spaces for residents and visitors. The submission does not include a breakdown of the parking, but notes that bicycle parking would be provided at a rate of 0.5 long-term and 0.1 short-term spaces per unit, plus one space for every 1,000m² of commercial and retail.

Podium, Brookdale Centre Redevelopment, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Tribute Communities

The site benefits from its proximity to interchanges on Highway 401, providing quick access to the provincial highway network. For public transit users, the nearby Pickering GO station provides frequent services to downtown Toronto and beyond. Looking to the future, the Durham-Scarborough Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project is currently in its preliminary design stage and would see Kingston Road transformed to accommodate dedicated BRT lanes, promising more frequent and reliable service.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Pickering

The Brookdale Centre redevelopment is one of several proposals and projects that are already under construction alongside the 401 in Pickering. To the west of Brookdale, 875 Kingston Road is proposed at dual 17-storey towers. Moving eastwards, closer Pickering GO station, 1294 Kingston Road is planned at 25 storeys while 1786 & 1790 Liverpool Road is proposed at 49 storeys. Nearby, the VuPoint Condos are under construction, with three towers that will range from 46 to 53 storeys, and the ambitious Pickering City Centre master-planned community is set to feature eight buildings varying from 9 to 55 storeys.

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Artistry and Architecture Unite as Diamond Schmitt Hosts 7th Annual Silent Auction for Charity

Anthony Teles — Thu, 02 May 2024 16:36:18 -0400

The 7th Annual Art x Architects Silent Auction is set to take place on the evening of May 7th at Little Italy's Revival Bar on College Street. Organized by Diamond Schmitt Architects, the event is as much a celebration of art and architecture as it is a lifeline, with all proceeds benefiting two noble causes: the Heart & Stroke Foundation and the Daily Bread Food Bank. Since its inception, the Art x Architects event has played a major role in supporting the Heart & Stroke Foundation's efforts to combat heart disease and stroke, as well as the Daily Bread Food Bank's mission to fight hunger.

Diamond Schmitt is renowned for its dedication to creating spaces that are visually stunning, with a portfolio that includes the transformation of educational and cultural spaces like the Ryerson Image Centre and the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. At this event, Diamond Schmitt celebrates this by merging artistic expression with charitable giving. Since 2011, the firm has raised over $316,000 for the Ride for Heart and contributed significantly to food security and the Daily Bread Food Bank through annual CANstruction initiatives.

The doors of Revival will open at 6:30 PM to a variety of original artworks crafted by architects and artists from across the industry, each piece echoing the unique perspective and vision of its creator. With ThunderTRUSS, Diamond Schmitt's in-house band accompanying the festivities, the combination of art and music promises an enjoyable experience for all attendees. The event is made possible through Diamond Schmitt Archtects, Revival, and Astley Gilbert.

Tickets are available for $15 in advance through Eventbrite, or $20 at the door. Every ticket purchase contributes directly to the fundraising goals and offers entry into a night of artistic exploration and community spirit. Located at 783 College Street, Revival is easily accessible by public transportation, with the 506 Carlton streetcar stop just steps away. For those driving, there are several parking lots and street parking options available.

Click here for further details and to order tickets.

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UrbanToronto to Host Panel Discussion at PM Springfest

Anthony Teles — Thu, 02 May 2024 15:48:15 -0400

On May 9th, Informa Connect will host PM Springfest, the annual gathering of property management professionals. Taking place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the event attracts a diverse group of industry leaders and innovators, providing participants with cutting-edge insights and strategies in property management, from energy efficiency to legal compliance.

UrbanToronto is excited to be a part of the event once again, hosting a not-to-be-missed presentation and panel. "Trends, Supply and Opportunities for Property Management Strategies" is scheduled from 9:45 to 10:45 AM. Click here to register for the event and our panel, which will arm property managers with crucial data and trends that will shape their strategies in the coming years.

Ed Skira, Co-Owner, UrbanToronto, Ash Navabi, Research Analyst UrbanToronto

The presentation will be led by Edward Skira, Co-Founder of UrbanToronto and a seasoned urbanist with over three decades in media, publishing, and communications. Joining him is Ash Navabi, UrbanToronto’s Research Analyst/Economist, who will bring a sharp analytical edge to the discussion. Together, they will dive into a comparative analysis of the development landscape changes from 2022 to 2023, using UrbanTorontoPro's extensive data resources to explore the implications of new developments and units in the Greater Toronto Area.

Looking north towards the Downtown Toronto skyline, image by UT Forum contributor Riseth

Attendees will benefit from an comprehensive look at market trends affecting property management, providing foresight into the industry's direction going into the future. Following the presentation, a Q&A session will offer attendees the opportunity to engage directly with Skira and Navabi.

For over twenty years, PM Springfest has been connecting property managers with top suppliers, providing a platform to source cutting-edge solutions and learn from seasoned experts. This event not only offers an opportunity to network with peers but also allows attendees to earn continuing education credits, crucial for staying current in the field.

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Cranes Are… Dropping? UrbanToronto Reports the Crane Count for Q1 2024

Ash Navabi — Thu, 02 May 2024 10:03:54 -0400

As of the beginning of April, 2024, 324 cranes towered over the skies of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), according to UrbanToronto's tracking of construction projects. This represents a slight, but persistent, downward trend of both the previous quarter, and the same month last year. The stickiness of high interest rates, along with subdued demand, are plausible sources for this persistence.

Historical chart of cranes in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, October 2021 to April 2024. Data from UTPro.

Of 386 projects currently under construction, UrbanToronto counts 213 across the six regions of the GTHA with at least one crane. Of these areas, the City of Toronto has by far the most with 127, followed by Peel region with 24, and York region with 19. This represents a decline from the 238 projects we reported in our first crane count report in October of 2023.

Map of the regions of the GTHA, and the number of cranes within each. As of the beginning of Q2 of 2024. Data from UTPro.

In terms of the total number of cranes in each region, Toronto leads with 183, followed by Peel region with 41. This represents a slight decline for both regions since our October 2023 report, both by about 7.5%.

Pie chart for the total number of cranes by region, as of the beginning of Q2 2024. Data from UTPro.

Altogether, the cranes are constructing a total of 62,363 dwelling units, and more than 55 million ft² of commercial floor area. Moreover, 125 projects in the GTHA have one crane, while 69 have two, 15 have three, and only 4 have four or more cranes.

Summary table of GTHA projects with cranes as of the beginning of Q2 2024. Data from UTPro.

We'll be back again soon with the changes over the upcoming months, but in the meantime, you can always keep-up-date on the situation though our cranes thread where you can track the cranes at every project in the GTHA.

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Minto Communities Celebrates Top-off Milestone for The Saint

UrbanToronto Sponsor — Thu, 02 May 2024 10:00:00 -0400

Earlier this month, Minto Communities celebrated a significant milestone for their downtown Toronto project, the topping-off of The Saint. Standing at 47-storeys above Church and Adelaide, this top off celebration recognized the substantial construction progress made to date as future residents eagerly wait to occupy their units starting in late 2024.

Topping off event, image by Minto Communities

Since breaking ground in October 2020 and now celebrating this new milestone, Minto Communities is working diligently to bring The Saint to the Toronto skyline, a project that will undoubtedly become an icon in the city’s most desired centre.

A shining testament to ingenuity and forward thinking, The Saint is a modern play on Japanese minimalism grounded in health and wellness. The architecture, handled by Wallman Architects, is defined by a punctuated tower carving out a presence along downtown Toronto’s eastern skyline.

Looking northeast to The Saint, Toronto, designed by Wallman Architects for Minto Communities

The slender, elegant tower will bring 418 thoughtfully designed units to the area, contributing to the growth of this Toronto centre. Drawing inspiration from biophilic design, the Saint incorporated natural, textured materials in an effort to blur the distinction between the indoors and outdoors.

Spanning over 14,000 square feet and designed by interior design firm Figure3, The Saint’s indoor amenities promote luxury and well-being, including a two-storey hotel-inspired lounge/lobby adorned with co-working spaces, fostering a sense of community amidst the hustle and bustle of Toronto’s busy city life.

Entrance to The Saint, designed by Wallman Architects for Minto Communities

The prototypical, sprawling condominium spa was completely rethought and replaced with a series of individualized programs, designed to personalize the experience. Residents will be able to transition between an infrared sauna, to a soaking tub to a steam space, that are each enjoyed privately. In addition to their treatment rooms and steam rooms, a unique salt rock room complements the overall amenity offering. Other wellness amenities include a state-of-the-art gym equipped and serene yoga and spin studios.

Salt rock room, The Saint, designed by Wallman Architects for Minto Communities

Stepping into the outdoor amenity space designed by landscape design firm NAK Design Group, the Saint unfolds a tapestry of relaxation and recreation across a 4,000 square feet landscaped oasis. Located on the 47th and 48th floors, large open-space party and dining room spaces, alongside a games room and co-working lounge, provide residents with an unmatched view of the city.

Embracing the scenic views, outdoor amenity terraces give future residents the opportunity to bask in the serenity of nature. From intimate seating areas to dining spaces equipped with BBQ facilities, The Saint transcends the confines of conventional living.

Skyline view, The Saint, designed by Wallman Architects for Minto Communities

From their units, future residents of The Saint will be able to enjoy the views, including Lake Ontario and the enchanting Toronto Islands, a counterpoint to the treasured historic buildings and ambitious new landmarks in the city’s downtown core.

Suite living room area, The Saint, designed by Wallman Architects for Minto Communities

With over 65 years of experience and 100,000+ homes built, Minto Communities is a trusted partner in creating exceptional living spaces built with utmost care and craftsmanship. From design to construction, The Saint has become one of the most highly anticipated projects to come to Toronto’s core, standing as a testament to architectural innovation and contemporary lifestyle.

The Saint began sales in November 2019 and has limited inventory available. To learn more about The Saint, click here.

The Saint Website: www.thesaintcondo.com

News Roundup for May 2, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Thu, 02 May 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Toronto area condo rents fall 7% in six months, the largest decline in 15 years; one in six Canadian homeowners who were born in the 90s own their home together with their parents, according to Statistics Canada; Air Canada introduces ‘luxury’ bus service to Toronto Pearson from Hamilton and Waterloo; and other news.

Toronto area condo rents fall 7% in six months — the largest decline in 15 years (The Star)

Did you jointly buy your first home with your parents? We want to hear from you (CP24)

Air Canada introduces ‘luxury’ bus service to Toronto Pearson from Hamilton, Waterloo (CityNews)

This old factory in Toronto converted to become net-zero — and turns a profit (The Star)

Caledon’s mayor tried to fast-track a massive development. Then the province stepped in (The Star)

Make Sure It Sticks

Craig White — Thu, 02 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy, a welder secures a tinted precast concrete panel to a steel beam in a new building under construction in the Canary Landing area of Toronto's West Don Lands.

A precast cladding panel is affixed to a new building in Toronto's Canary Landing area, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy

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Four-Tower Complex North of Finch Station Grows in Resubmission

Anthony Teles — Wed, 01 May 2024 17:33:45 -0400

A resubmission to the City of Toronto for the redevelopment of 5800 Yonge Street by Times Group Corporation proposes a striking increase in both height and residential capacity compared to the previous proposal from 2020. Designed by Wallman Architects, the latest version calls for a quartet of towers with heights reaching up to 54 storeys.

Looking northwest to 5800 Yonge Street, designed by Wallman Architects for Times Group Corporation

Nestled on the west side of Yonge Street, just south of Drewry Avenue, the site extends west from Yonge to Fairchild Avenue, covering a total area of 32,762m². It contains a two-storey institutional office building previously used by Toronto Hydro, as well as a substantial swath of open green space and parking. The site is just a seven-minute walk north of Finch station on Yonge Line 1 in North York's Newtonbrook area. South of Finch Avenue, the North York Centre area is a high-density zone ranging from mid-rise to high-rise residential and mixed-use complexes while a number of low-rise commercial properties remain along Yonge, providing human scale and character.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

The project is divided into multiple blocks, with the multi-tower development comprising Blocks 1 and 2 in the image below. To the west, there would be a 2-storey childcare facility on Block 3, with a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 2,519m². Block 5 would feature a parkland dedication spanning 3,940m², and Block 6 an over-dedication of 4,809m² for future park development. Two new streets would run to the west and south of the towers.

Block plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

The West phase towers on Block 1 are proposed to rise 46 and 48 storeys, while the East phase towers along Yonge Street on Block 2 would rise to 52 and 54 storeys. The tallest tower would now be 173.23m tall, notably taller than the previous peak at 150.25m. The taller buildings boosts the residential offering to a total of 2,175 units across the phases from the previous 1,496 units. With five elevators per tower, the towers would range from approximately 100 to 117 units per elevator, translating to longer wait times for the taller towers.

Previous proposal, designed by Wallman Architects for Times Group Corporation

The overall Gross Floor Area (GFA) for the project is now a vast 151,052m², including 253m² of retail at grade fronting Yonge Street, a marked increase from the previous total GFA of 117,827m². The West phase would offer 1,548m² and 1,574m² of indoor and outdoor amenities, while the East phase would provide 1,746m² of indoor amenities and 2,053m² of outdoor amenities.

Looking northeast to 5800 Yonge Street, designed by Wallman Architects for Times Group Corporation

The development would include four levels of underground garage. For the West phase, there would be 713 resident and 106 visitor parking spaces; the East phase is set to have 617 resident, 117, visitor, and 20 retail spaces. This combined total of 1,573 spots is a decrease from the previous proposal’s 1,683. Furthermore, the West phase would provide 697 long-term and 72 short-term bicycle parking spaces, while the East phase would have 788 long-term, 81 short-term, and 12 retail spaces.

Podium levels, designed by Wallman Architects for Times Group Corporation

The site is positioned 300m from Finch subway station on Yonge Line 1, with Finch station also currently serving as a range of TTC bus routes. The station is also currently a hub for GO and YRT/VIVA buses serving areas in York Region and beyond; those buses would move north once the Yonge North Subway Extension opens in the 2030s. A proposed station at Cummer and Drewry avenues just 200m north of the site could be built as part of the Yonge North extension if funding is secured.

Site plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

There are other development proposals nearby. To the north of the site, the proposed Inez Court development would stand 10 and 32 storeys. Furthert north, along Yonge Street at Cummer Avenue, the ongoing construction of Plaza Condos will rise to 32 storeys, while M2M Condos has a first phase boasting 34- and 36-storey towers, with the second phase’s towers set to reach 40 storeys. The Wedgewood on Yonge is proposed at 38 storeys northeast of the site, while an ambitious but stale multi-phase project at 5959 Yonge Street could feature towers ranging from 14 to 46 storeys.

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TMU Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Celebrate 25th Annual Spring Reception at Little Canada

Anthony Teles — Wed, 01 May 2024 16:02:35 -0400

As spring weather unfurls across the city, the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Urban and Regional Planning Alumni Association (SURPA) is gearing up for a celebration. On Thursday, May 23, the doors of Little Canada at 10 Dundas Street East will open to welcome guests to the 25th Annual Spring Reception — an event that heralds a quarter-century of building industry connections and supporting educational endeavours.

As a proud sponsor of the event, UrbanToronto continues its commitment to promoting the growth and success of Toronto's urban planning sector. This partnership reflects our dedication to supporting educational opportunities and professional networks that are essential for shaping the city’s urban development.

Since its inception in 1998, SURPA has hosted this prestigious gathering annually, drawing leaders from the development sector to engage, share insights, and highlight their companies through sponsorship. This year, the event is set to break previous records with its fundraising efforts, which are crucial in supporting the School of Urban and Regional Planning at TMU.

Attendees and award winners at the 2023 Spring Reception, image courtesy of TMU

The funds raised will be directed towards student awards and scholarships, including the newly established SURPA Equity in Planning funds that specifically support Black and Indigenous students. This focus on diversity and inclusion is a core part of SURPA’s mission to enhance the educational opportunities for all planning students.

The reception, expected to draw between 300 and 400 attendees, offers a unique opportunity for industry professionals from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area to network in the interactive, miniature world of Little Canada, situated in The Tenor at Yonge and Dundas. The event's proximity to TMU's campus serves as a bridge between current students and their potential futures in urban planning.

Visitors admire part of the Niagara Falls scene at Little Canada, image by Craig White

Members have engaged in professional development activities such as an annual mentorship program and an alumni-run podcast which discusses emerging topics in urban planning.

Kevin Nunn, Co-Chair of SURPA and a planner at Weston Consulting, reflects on his progressive involvement with the association: “Joining SURPA as a Member at Large, then Events Coordinator, and now Co-Chair, has been more than just a volunteer membership for me – this group has been an inclusive community of Planning Alumni who have inspired me to be dedicated to shaping the future of our students.”

Fredric Cheng, Communications Coordinator for SURPA, also shares his experience: Though my time on the committee has been short, everyone has been supportive and amazing in my professional development as a Planner, and I hope that others can experience the same warmth that I felt.”

This year, the association is proud to acknowledge the generous contributions of its 2024 Diamond-level sponsors: Arcadis, CF Crozier and Associates Inc., and McCarthy Tétrault LLP. Their backing, along with the support of UrbanToronto, showcases the industry's commitment to nurturing the next generation of urban planners.

For those interested in attending the 25th Annual Spring Reception or wishing to join the vibrant community of TMU alumni in urban planning, tickets can be purchased here.

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Ballin' Out for Charity: Toronto's Real Estate Basketball Event Scores Big for Youth Empowerment

Anthony Teles — Wed, 01 May 2024 13:30:41 -0400

On Saturday, April 27, 2024, the Goldring Centre at the University of Toronto became a hub of community and competitive spirit as it hosted the second annual Ballin' Out for Charity event. The tournament, organized by BLACKLINE and RAD Marketing, brought together 20 teams and fan supporters from the construction, brokerage, and development sectors, raising an impressive $111,000 for the MLSE Foundation's Change the Game campaign. This initiative has invested over $67 million in the past decade to break down barriers to sports participation for Ontario’s youth.

RAD Marketing and BLACKLINE present a cheque to MLSE Foundation for the money raised, image courtesy of BLACKLINE

Brett Fyfer, Campaign Director at MLSE Foundation, praised the partnership, noting the organization "is proud to partner with Ballin’ Out for Charity and see their support go toward our Change the Game Campaign. MLSE Foundation remains committed to removing the barriers that limit accessible sport participation for young people so that they reach their full potential. Our work has shown us that it's not a lack of potential holding back young people in Ontario, but a lack of opportunity."

From early morning until late afternoon, the Goldring Centre at 100 Devonshire Place was a flurry of activity as 20 teams competed in 3-on-3 basketball games. The event was replete with food stalls, live DJ performances, audience participation activities, and special performances by the Raptors' North Side Crew. Highlights included a half-court shot contest, a raffle for a trip to Mexico, and various fun stations like caricature drawing and t-shirt graffiti.

The Raptors North Side Crew with event organizers from RAD Marketing and BLACKLINE, from left to right: Justin Ackerman, Sarah Nakamura, Sean Zahedi, Natasha Alibhai, Tim Ng, image courtesy of BLACKLINE

The event caters to players of all skill levels and ages. Each team played three games, both 20 minutes in length, with the top eight teams moving on to a championship playoff. During the midday break, local youth teams took the stage to play full-court games, offering them a spotlight moment to shine in front of an enthusiastic crowd. A total of 37 games were played throughout the tournament, presented by SKYGRiD. In the final, Topcrete Forming clinched the championship title against ReMax Millenium. Off the court, participants enjoyed complimentary wellness services, including massage and stretching sessions provided by MetaTherapy.

This year's $111,000 in fundraising pledges significantly surpassed last year's $70,000, collected for the Daily Bread Food Bank. The funds this year will support various initiatives under the MLSE Foundation, particularly benefiting underprivileged children in the Greater Toronto Area.

“What started as a pick-up game with some industry peers grew into the idea of using basketball as a conduit to promote teamwork, sportsmanship, and philanthropy within our industry to create a positive impact in the communities we work in," said Tim Ng, Principal at BLACKLINE.

ReMax Millenium Realty vs Topcrete Forming in the Ballin' Out For Charity final, image courtesy of BLACKLINE

The event has been made possible through the collaboration and sponsorship of numerous industry leaders. Prominent sponsors included Mattamy Homes, Slate Asset Management, EllisDon Developments, and Great Gulf, among others, demonstrating the industry's commitment to giving back and building stronger communities.

Sean Zahedi, Executive Vice President at RAD Marketing, noted that this is a "tight-knit industry that truly cares about the communities we are building. This is just the beginning and we foresee this annual tournament to continue to grow within the industry and through our social impact.”

As the event wrapped up, organizers were already looking forward to next year. Those interested in joining the cause can visit the official website and stay tuned to mark their calendars and submit their pledges for next year.

The impact of Ballin' Out for Charity continues beyond the event. Contributions to the MLSE Foundation can still be made, supporting ongoing efforts to change the game for youth in Ontario. To extend your support and make a lasting difference, please visit the MLSE Foundation’s donation page.

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Supertalls and Mixed-Use Communities Made Headlines in April, 2024

Anthony Teles — Wed, 01 May 2024 11:50:06 -0400

Toronto's skies saw records broken in April, 2024. Not only was it the city's rainiest month ever, but the SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge's final height was bumped slightly higher for what was already set to be Canada's tallest tower — also bringing it to the top spot on our top 10 database files, ahead of The One. From the Rogers Centre renovations to high-rise mixed-use developments, Toronto saw plenty of activity both in the skies and closer to ground level throughout the month.

Along with discussions on height, proposals showcased verticality along with dynamic mixed-use communities in Toronto and beyond. Madison Group's 110 and 150 Eglinton Avenue East in Midtown showcase separate applications with harmonized designs, while 157 Cross Avenue highlights the increasing heights and density in Oakville. Meanwhile, two proposed towers in Concord Adex's Concord Park Place community would include a school in their shared podium.

Let's take a closer look at our top stories, database files, and threads for April, 2024.

Our Top Ten Most Read News Stories

With the Blue Jays' season well underway, UrbanToronto had the opportunity to take in the latest renovations at the Rogers Centre before the Home Opener. Joon Choi, co-founder of Maple Athletes and baseball player for the UofT Varsity Blues, wrote about the upgrades, with the article finding itself at #12. Choi gives us a look into both the player and fan experiences, with the updates including a renewed Astroturf playing surface, redesigned and permanent dugouts, and reoriented and improved seats for fans throughout the 100 level.

12. Rogers Centre Upgrades From Stadium to Ballpark

The brand new playing surface at Rogers Centre, image by Joon Choi

Crowning the list this month is SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge, with recent revisions to its Site Plan Approval (SPA) increasing the final height from 344.9m to 345.5m. What would otherwise be a minor increase for most other buildings became our top story because it will be Canada's tallest building when complete. Just behind it on our Top Ten list at #2 are the high-rise towers proposed at 157 Cross Avenue, highlighting the density and vertical growth proposed around Oakville GO. At #4 are the 36 and 46-storey towers as part of Block 9 of Concord Park Place, Concord Adex's master-planned community, which calls for a Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) elementary school in its base. In Toronto's east end, 985 Woodbine Avenue reached the #7 spot with its resubmission more than doubling its tallest tower's height from 15 to 35 storeys.

10. Canada Lands Company Advances Downsview Lands Transformation

9. Originate Developments Achieves Zoning Approval for Two Ambitious Residential Projects

8. Shovels Go Into the Ground for New Etobicoke Civic Centre

7. Resubmission at Woodbine Station More Than Doubles Height

6. Yonge at Wellesley Station Prepares for Tower Crane

5. Proposal Across from St James Park Grows to 65 Storeys

4. Two-Tower Complex Proposed with Elementary School at Concord Park Place

3. Madison Resubmits Midtown Proposals with Viñoly-Designed Towers

2. 45- and 61-Storey Towers Proposed Near Oakville GO

1. Canada's Tallest Tower to be Taller, Again

Looking west to 157 Cross Avenue, designed by Teeple Architects for Distrikt Group

Our Top Ten Most Searched Database Files

Starting the Top Ten at #11 is 110 Eglinton Avenue East, which along with the harmoniously designed nearby proposal for 150 Eglinton Avenue East, are both the work of the renowned Rafael Viñoly Architects (with Turner Fleischer Architects as the Architect of Record) for Madison Group. The four mixed-use high-rise towers would all rise about 236 metres high on Midtown Toronto's skyline. They aim to integrate residential, office, and retail spaces, enhancing the area's urban growth near the soon-to-open Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT.

11. 110 Eglinton East

Looking south to 90 and 150 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The list features many of the usual heavy hitters, but not in the order you may expect — interest in the ever-increasing height of the SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge brings it to #1, with The One relegated for once to runner-up at #2. New to the top ten list this month is 19 Bloor Street West, on the heels of its recent settlement offer that would result in a height of 317.4m, and a storey count just shy of 100 at 99. The top three is rounded out by 101 Spadina, with The Well at #4 as work continues on its 70,000 ft² Wellington Market.

10. Forma

9. Concord Sky

8. Concord Canada House

7. M2M Condos

6. 19 Bloor West

5. CIBC SQUARE

4. The Well

3. 101 Spadina

2. The One

1. Pinnacle One Yonge

Looking north to the latest rendering of Pinnacle One Yonge, with SkyTower being the tallest building in the image, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for Pinnacle International

Our Top Ten Busiest Threads

Starting at lucky #13 is Mirvish Village, the redevelopment of the iconic Honest Ed's site at Bloor and Bathurst, rising to 26 storeys. Designed by Henriquez Partners Architects and Diamond Schmitt Architects for Westbank Corp and Peterson, the first of its rental buildings now leasing. The project features a mix of affordable and market-rate residential units, office spaces, retail areas, and public spaces. This transformative development aims to rejuvenate the neighbourhood with fine-grained architectural details and public-oriented spaces, creating a new community hub in the Annex area.

13. Mirvish Village

Mirvish Village, by Henriquez Partners Architects for Westbank Corp

Although Pinnacle One Yonge dominated the previous two lists, The One can take comfort in still being the busiest thread for April, 2024. Pinnacle One Yonge is right behind it at #2, with CIBC SQUARE rounding out the top three as Forum contributors continue sharing photography of its construction. As work continues in the Port Lands amid the increasingly warmer weather, it finds itself at #4. Elsewhere, the transit projects of the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT and Union Station revitalization are side-by-side at #7 and #8 respectively, and the news about 19 Bloor Street West brings it into the top 10 at #9.

10. Concord Sky

9. 19 Bloor West

8. Union Station Revitalization

7. Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT

6. KING Toronto

5. The Well

4. Lower Don Lands Redevelopment

3. CIBC SQUARE

2. Pinnacle One Yonge

1. The One

An aerial view looking west to construction on The One, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor BloorMan

We will be back at the beginning of June for a recap of May's top news stories, Database files, and Forum threads!

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News Roundup for May 1, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Wed, 01 May 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Developers offering special incentives to buyers as demand for new Toronto condos continues to plummet; as transactions fall, Toronto condo buyers find their leverage; Highway 413 construction to start in 2025; and other news.

Developers offering special incentives to buyers as demand for new Toronto condos continues to plummet (The Star)

As transactions fall, Toronto condo buyers find their leverage (The Globe and Mail)

Highway 413 construction to start in 2025 (CBC)

Majority of aspiring homeowners awaiting rate cuts before buying: BMO survey (The Star)

Shake Shack to open at Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square this summer (CityNews)

Planned housing project threatens Niagara Escarpment: opponents (CBC)

Cottage ‘rebound year.’ Expert predicts prices to spike almost 7 per cent in 2024 (The Star)

Majority of CafeTO patios to be open by Victoria Day weekend (CityNews)

Urban Maypole

Craig White — Wed, 01 May 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Light strings in Toronto's Distillery District appear in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner to be supported by a crane that is actually a couple of blocks to the north, building Cherry House in the Canary Landing area of the West Don Lands. Still, kinda looks like a maypole here, and we suggest a dance.

A crane appears to hold strings of lights aloft in Toronto's Distillery District, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

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Sustainability Month: LEED, TGS, WELL, BOMA Best — How Green Standards Work

Anthony Teles — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 17:00:00 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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As cities continue to evolve and expand in this climate-stressed world, the need for new development to be sustainable becomes increasingly important. In response, a number of sustainability standards have emerged, serving as benchmarks for constructing or retrofitting environments that are environmentally responsible and socially beneficial while also being economically viable. UrbanToronto's Sustainability Month has shone a spotlight on the needs and impacts of these standards, illustrating how they are shaping the future of urban development.

Ranging from the globally recognized Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)® to local initiatives like the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) — these standards provide frameworks that guide the construction and operation of buildings and communities towards greater sustainability. They address a multitude of environmental challenges, including energy efficiency, water conservation, and healthier living environments, which are vital for the long-term resilience of our cities. We will take a look at how they all work.

Aquabella at Bayside, designed by 3XN for Tridel and Hines

LEED Certification

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, originally developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), serves as a globally recognized mark of excellence in sustainability. LEED certification supports building owners and operators in their efforts to be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently. The program's widespread adoption underscores its significance in promoting sustainable construction practices worldwide. The Canada Green Building Council is a contributor to LEED's international development process to continuously improve the certification system.

LEED certification is achieved through a points system based on a building's compliance with various sustainability criteria spanning several key categories, including Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation in Design, and Regional Priority. The certification levels — Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum — reflect the extent to which a building meets these standards, with each ascending level indicating higher compliance and integration of sustainable practices. A project earns a Certified rating with 40-49 points, Silver with 50-59 points, Gold with 60-79 points, and Platinum with 80 or more points.

Typical LEED certification thresholds, image via the Canada Green Building Council

The Bayside developments on Toronto's waterfront by Tridel and Hines, which include Aqualina, Aquavista, Aquabella, and Aqualuna, form a significant clusted of new buildings that prioritize sustainability and innovative design. Each of these developments has either achieved or is targeting LEED Platinum certification, reflecting a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. From Aqualina's solar panels and energy-saving systems to Aquabella's design that maximizes natural light and views, these projects demonstrate the potential for high-rise condominiums to integrate sustainable building practices while enhancing residents' quality of life. With Aqualuna on track to achieve LEED Platinum certification and featuring extensive retail space along the Water's Edge Promenade, the Bayside projects collectively set a new standard for sustainable, community-oriented waterfront development in Toronto.

Toronto Green Standard Version 4 Report Cover, image courtesy of the City of Toronto

Toronto Green Standard

The Toronto Green Standard (TGS) is a pivotal element of the City's commitment to sustainable development. It exemplifies Toronto's proactive approach to integrating environmental considerations into urban planning and construction processes. The TGS operates on a tiered system, allowing for a progressive enhancement of sustainability measures. Tier 1 is mandatory for all new development applications, and focuses on basic sustainable building and site design measures. Tiers 2 and higher are voluntary but incentivized, encouraging developers to adopt more ambitious environmental performance measures. The highest level, Tier 4, came into effect in 2022, requiring even more stringent standards, such as EV parking spots.

Initially introduced in 2006, the TGS went from being a voluntary standard to two tiers of performance by 2010. It was developed to address the increasing concerns about urban sprawl, energy consumption, and environmental degradation. Over the years, it has evolved through various iterations, each enhancing the requirements and expanding the scope to cover more aspects of sustainable development. Every fews years, the standards become more stringent, with the previous optional Tier 2 becoming the new mandatory Tier 1, etc.

The proposed mixed-use market-rate and affordable rental mass-timber building at 1113-1125 Dundas Street West from CreateTO (below), is a pioneering project in Toronto's Trinity-Bellwoods neighbourhood. The building will adhere to the Toronto Green Standard Version 4, which mandates that 25 percent of the raw materials meet specific sustainability criteria, including the use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood products or CaGBC-approved equivalents. By embracing mass timber construction and stringent sustainability standards, this development showcases the potential for innovative, environmentally conscious design in Toronto's growing landscape.

1113-1125 Dundas Street West, Toronto, designed by Brook McIlroy for CreateTO

WELL Building Standard

The WELL Building Standard® represents a pioneering approach to enhancing health and well-being in the built environment. Administered by the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), this performance-based system measures, certifies, and monitors features of the built environment that impact human health and wellness through key concepts such as air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

The WELL Standard is distinctive in its holistic focus on human health in building design and management. It highlights the crucial role of air and water quality, promotes the availability of fresh, wholesome foods, and recognizes the importance of natural light for regulating human circadian rhythms. The standard also encourages physical fitness opportunities, ergonomically sound environments, and design elements that can reduce stress and enhance overall mental health.

160 Front West, Cadillac Fairview's new office tower in Toronto's Financial District (below), is designed to achieve WELL Building Standard certification. Its construction leveraged advanced SMART building features such as PCL's Job Site Insights™ and Eddy Solutions™ sensor technologies. These optimize construction processes like concrete curing, which enhances efficiency and reduces costs. Additionally, the building's features include a state-of-the-art curtain wall system, an ultra-high-efficiency HVAC system supported by Enwave’s Deep Lake Water Cooling system that uses the cold waters of Lake Ontario, and a full-building backup generator. Environmental sustainability is further supported by a reclaimed rainwater system. It also adopts Cadillac Fairview’s "Green at Work"® program, incorporating leading global sustainability practices into its property management and operations, focused on reduced carbon emissions and the responsible use of resources.

160 Front Street seen from the CN Tower, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy

BOMA BEST

The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) BEST program stands as a cornerstone in the drive towards sustainable building management, particularly emphasizing the environmental performance and management of existing buildings. Developed by BOMA Canada, this program provides a structured approach for building owners and managers to assess and improve their properties' environmental practices over time.

BOMA BEST revolves around a comprehensive framework that evaluates a building's performance across ten key areas, including energy, water, waste reduction, emissions, indoor environment, and environmental management systems. The program employs a certification system that measures current practices and encourages continual improvement through re-assessment every three years. The program is designed to be accessible and applicable to a broad range of commercial properties, regardless of their size or type.

The evaluation process under BOMA BEST is rigorous. It involves an extensive self-assessment followed by on-site verifications conducted by third-party assessors. This approach ensures that the standards are accurately adhered to and that the building's operational practices are genuinely aligned with sustainability goals. The certification levels — ranging from Certified to Platinum — reflect the degree to which buildings meet and exceed the standard criteria, offering building owners and managers a clear benchmark for measuring their progress.

Almadev's LSQ development (below) is a comprehensive master-planned community featuring residential, office, and retail spaces, centred around a substantial public parkland. The development's commitment to sustainable urban development is exemplified by its two preserved office buildings that have been awarded BOMA BEST Sustainable Building certifications. This is part of a broader vision to create a mixed-use community that sustainably brings together living, working, and recreational spaces.

The LSQ community with the retained office buildings seen on the far left and right, image courtesy of Almadev

The Impact of Standards on Project Development

The adoption of sustainability standards such as LEED, WELL, BOMA BEST, and the Toronto Green Standard (TGS) significantly influences the planning, construction, and operation phases of urban development. These standards encourage developers, architects, and builders to consider sustainability from the earliest stages of design, leading to solutions that address energy efficiency, water conservation, material selection, and the well-being of occupants.

While adhering to high sustainability standards can involve initial costs and complexities, the benefits are substantial. Buildings that meet these standards have a lower environmental impact, consume fewer resources, and offer healthier spaces for occupants, which can lead to increased productivity and well-being. Additionally, these buildings often have higher property values and can attract tenants more easily due to their modern features and lower operational costs.

As more developers and builders recognize the value of these standards, the impact on urban landscapes becomes increasingly profound, setting new benchmarks for sustainability in not just Toronto, but cities around the world. The adoption of sustainability standards has already reshaped Toronto's urban development, steering projects towards more responsible and efficient practices that benefit both the environment and the communities they serve.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png?2[/img]

63-Storey Tower Proposed in Toronto's Upper Jarvis Area

Anthony Teles — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 16:45:42 -0400

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.

Looking northwest to 5 Huntley Street, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Earl Huntley Limited Partnership

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.

Looking northeast to the current site, image retrieved from Google Maps

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.

Ground floor plan, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Earl Huntley Limited Partnership

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.

Looking west to the podium for 5 Huntley Street, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Earl Huntley Limited Partnership

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.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

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.

Height map of projects proposed, approved, and existing or under construction, image from submission to City of Toronto

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Tridel Building Toronto's Tomorrow Through Innovation and Sustainability

Anthony Teles — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 12:10:35 -0400

As Tridel commemorates its 90th anniversary, the company reflects on its remarkable journey from a humble single-family home builder to a trailblazer in sustainable urban development. Coinciding with this milestone, Tridel released its latest Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report in February, 2024, charting a course for a greener future. UrbanToronto had the opportunity to sit down with Graeme Armster, Tridel's Director of Innovation & Sustainability, to explore their forward-thinking strategies.

6080 Yonge Street, designed by DIALOG for Arkfield & Tridel

"Sustainability isn't a new thing for us,” Armster tells UrbanToronto. “We've been doing it now since the early 2000s, aligning development interests with environmental concerns, a major shift that was both a challenge and a transformative opportunity for us." This commitment to embedding sustainable practices has earned Tridel multiple Green Builder of the Year awards and established them as an industry leader.

This latest ESG report showcases a comprehensive approach to sustainability, with decarbonization at the forefront. The company has set ambitious targets to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all scopes by 2050, including a 30% reduction by 2030 from a 2022 baseline.

Highlights of Tridel's ESG Report, image by Tridel

The report also highlights Tridel's commitment to waste diversion and water conservation, with targets to divert 80% of waste from landfills and implement sustainable water management practices across its developments. Armster discusses the integration of new technologies to achieve these goals, using software that can help Tridel quickly model embodied carbon, allowing the developer to assess all sustainability metrics at the early stages.

At landmark projects like The Well, Tridel has incorporated cutting-edge technology such as the Enwave Deep Lake Water Cooling system, significantly reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. Armster highlights the project's innovative approach to cooling buildings during the summer with Lake Ontario's water, while the thermal tank below the development stores water to provide warming throughout the cold months.

The canopy and Galleria of The Well, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor kotsy

Tridel's commitment to sustainability is further demonstrated by their impressive track record in achieving LEED certifications, the most widely-used system for rating sustainable and green buildings. Three condominium developments in Toronto are LEED Platinum certified. Those are Aqualina, Aquavista, and Aquabella of the Bayside Community, for which Hines is the master developer, with Aqualuna on track to join them.

Looking north to Aqualuna at Bayside, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Paclo

Developed in collaboration with Hines, Aqualuna at Bayside with its striking wave-like design by 3XN architects, optimizes natural light and water views. At Aquabella, Tridel was one of the first developers in Toronto to deploy advanced technologies like Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF), which Armster notes greatly enhances the building's heating and cooling efficiency. This highly efficient mechanical equipment is now being utilized at their Bianca Condos and Scala sites as well.

Bianca Condos, image courtesy of Tridel

Building climate resilience and adaptability is another key strategy employed by Tridel to meet the challenges of changing weather patterns. Armster emphasizes the importance of ensuring that residents have access to essential services during extended power outages. This forward-thinking approach, combined with the use of balcony thermal bridging breaks to reduce heat loss, demonstrates Tridel's commitment to creating resilient and energy-efficient buildings.

The company is also looking into state-of-the-art solutions like the AeroBarrier technology, which significantly enhances the airtightness of buildings, reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. During construction, "AeroBarrier pressurizes a unit with air, shooting particulate matter into the air,” Armster explains, “and the particles flow into the cracks and seal them up, resulting in a 50% improvement in air tightness in each suite."

Scala Condos, image courtesy of Tridel

Reflecting on lessons learned, Armster stresses the importance of balancing various project demands, noting the importance of managing expectations when it comes to sustainability targets. "You can't be afraid to make a wrong decision because if you are, you won't make any decision, and you'll just be stuck,” he shares.

Looking towards the future, Tridel's upcoming Innovation Suite at The Well, on track for completion in June, 2024, serves as a prototype for integrating sustainable technologies into everyday living spaces. The suite will feature building-integrated photovoltaics and a DC microgrid system, with balcony railing glass that absorbs energy through solar panels. Armster describes this enthusiastically, explaining that the Innovation Suite leverages solar energy that is converted and used directly, bypassing the inefficiencies of converting DC to AC power, reducing transmission losses and harnessing renewable energy more effectively.

With planned future buildings that will be fully electrified, Armster proudly shares that Tridel is “way ahead of the curve, and through our research and feasibility studies, we were able to figure out a solution that works well in terms of managing all of the costs of construction so that these projects can remain affordable."

Waste diverted from construction sites according to the ESG Report, image by Tridel

Ultimately, Armster's focus on the importance of data in shaping sustainability strategies is clear: "Monitoring is the next challenge now, and making sure that we're heading in the right direction and tracking our decisions is crucial for continuous improvement."

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News Roundup for April 30, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Developers offering special incentives to buyers as demand for new Toronto condos continues to plummet; major challenges await Toronto's next chief planner, according to experts; capital gains changes spur cottage market ‘anxiety,' amid questions on whether owners will rush to sell; and other news.

Developers offering special incentives to buyers as demand for new Toronto condos continues to plummet (The Star)

Major challenges await Toronto's next chief planner, experts say (CBC)

Capital gains changes spur cottage market ‘anxiety.’ Will owners rush to sell? (Global News)

This program is meant to help homeowners challenge Tarion’s warranty decisions. Now it’s under review after concerns about its impartiality (The Star)

Statistics Canada to release February GDP report, Q1 growth estimate today (CP24)

After more than 40 years the dream of a Toronto Somali community centre is one step closer to reality (The Star)

Void If Removed

Craig White — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Bright orange tarps lining the shoring walls of an excavation in Midtown Toronto stand out in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey. The growing void for First Capital's 2444 Yonge project means that removal of earth continues at the site that will eventually host two new residential towers springing from a base with substantial retail. To the left, Yonge Street heads south to the Downtown Toronto horizon, pinpointed by the CN Tower.

Excavation at he 2444 Yonge project site in Midtown Toronto, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey

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Sustainability Month: Alternative Energy Sources Help Drive Sustainability in Building Industry

Rick Muller — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:00:00 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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When modern Toronto emerged in the 1960s, ‘sustainability’ was on very few radars. Few had ever heard the term, knew what it meant, spell or even pronounce it. Solar panels? A vegetable garden on the roof of a skyscraper? Geothermal energy? Deep lake cooling into downtown buildings? This was the stuff of science fiction – you might as well be talking about rocket boots or flying cars.

Today, thankfully, with the rapid growth of the GTA, anticipated to further increase in the coming decades, sustainability is reality as modern development increasingly requires looking at different energy sources because of their proven benefits to the industry and the area. New energy sources and infrastructure will be needed to keep up with the growth to power new homes, businesses, transit and electrification.

Looking towards Downtown Toronto from north of Mount Pleasant Cemetery, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Jasonzed

Peak electricity demand in Toronto is 4,700 megawatts, which is approximately 20 % of peak demand for all of Ontario. According to Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator, after 20 years of flat demand in the city, Toronto’s peak demand is expected to double in just the next 25 years. The Portlands Energy Centre is the only major source of electricity supply in the city, generating approximately 550 megawatts, which supplies approximately 12 % of Toronto’s peak demand.

Alternative energy sources are clearly needed to power our growth. We were all reminded earlier this month of the enormous power, size and energy of our sun. We all looked up (glasses on, please) to witness a rare total solar eclipse. It was somewhat unifying in reminding us we are all passengers on Spaceship Earth and it was also a powerful reminder of the enormous size and energy of the star which gives us life. In just one hour, the sun produces enough energy to sustain all human activities on Earth for a year.

Finding innovative ways to harness and use that solar energy in the development industry is the job of companies such as Toronto-based Mitrex, who utilize a process called Building Integrated Photovoltaics, or BIPV, as a technology where the solar panels that create electricity from sunlight are built directly into parts of a building’s structure, such as the windows, walls or facades, instead of being added on later. This means these building parts do double duty: they serve as both the exterior of the building and as a source of energy. The building may look like any other, but BIPV technology means the building works to produce its own electricity, which can help lower energy costs and is better for the environment. That recipe is extremely attractive to architects, developers and building owners.

Solar cladding, image courtesy of Mitrex

“For architects, BIPV allows creative freedom to design innovative, sustainable buildings with an unlimited variety of colours and patterns, enhancing the opportunity to achieve sustainability goals with up to 40 LEED points,” says Danial Hadizadeh, CEO of Mitrex. “Developers see increased property values and compliance with stringent environmental regulations, making these buildings more appealing to environmentally conscious owners. Additionally, incorporating BIPV can differentiate properties in competitive markets, attracting investments and demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.”

According to Hadizadeh, this race to embrace the energy of the sun through solar technology is only increasing in the industry. “The popularity of solar technology is on the rise, driven by several compelling reasons as reported by clients such as Carttera, Novi Engineering, and Tenblock,” he says. “These companies emphasize the strong alignment of solar solutions with sustainability and decarbonization goals, making Mitrex products extremely attractive. The building industry is experiencing an acceleration in adoption and investment in solar technologies due to their established record of success and their potential for application in new developments.”

Power and energy are not only above us, but below us as geothermal heating has become a growing trend to heat and cool buildings using a renewable resource from the ground, as ten metres below the surface, the temperature is consistent year-round, even in Toronto.

STS and their Energy-as-a-Service model powered by geothermal technology, image courtesy of Subterra Renewables

While the move to geothermal exchange in the development industry had its origins in the 1970s, the popularity of its adoption began only recently, according to Kareem Mirza, Chief Revenue Officer of Subterra Renewables, a leading developer of large-scale geothermal heating and cooling systems.

“The introduction of the carbon tax, stringent building standards, and, more recently, investment tax credits, have all spurred demand for geothermal in a meaningful way since 2020,” says Mirza. “This is around the time when engineers, architects and contractors started embracing geothermal as a viable alternative to conventional heating and cooling sources.”

For developers or owners, while geothermal is expensive to install, the payback comes over time from avoiding natural gas costs. “In the case of energy-as-a-service, depending on jurisdiction or region, the development or owner typically enjoys a 5% to 10% operations cost savings, while avoiding upfront costs, and without the need to budget for operations and maintenance, or reserve for the replacement of mechanical equipment,” says Mirza.

Image courtesy of Geosource Energy

Innovative companies are using new approaches for alternate energy sources and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as building sector emissions are currently the largest source of these emissions in Toronto. Specifically, the use of natural gas for heating in residential buildings accounts for 30% of Toronto’s overall greenhouse gas emissions.

Ancaster-based Geosource Energy has significantly altered the geothermal landscape through the development and optimization of its drilling technology and the delivery process it uses to better assess, design and implement geoexchange systems, which actively move heat from the ground to warm and cool the interior of buildings. They have completed more than 400 commercial geoexchange projects, including the largest institutional system in Canada at University of Toronto and the largest residential geothermal system in both Ontario and New York State.

“Geoexchange systems derive their efficiency from the ambient temperatures in the ground and leverage them to provide consistent and comfortable heat levels in buildings year-round,” says Kate Cheng, Vice-President at Geosource Energy. “These highly efficient heating and cooling systems operate by actively moving heat from the ground to warm and cool the interiors of our buildings.”

Drilling underway for the University of Toronto's Kings College Circle Landmark project, Image courtesy of Geosource Energy

Geosource worked under EllisDon for the University of Toronto’s King’s College Circle Landmark Project. “It’s inspiring to see institutions like the University of Toronto taking such powerful action on decarbonization,” says Cheng. “This will make a significant contribution in reducing U of T’s greenhouse gas emissions by 37% from 1990 levels by 2030 and help solidify their vision of a more sustainable future.”

The broad spectrum that is the building industry contains some very innovative companies comprised of very smart people doing the right thing by exploring alternative energy sources to help drive much needed sustainability. When the large development industry can understand the challenges, they are proving it can adapt and move forward for the greater good.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png?2[/img]

Hidden Histories to be Revealed at Doors Open Toronto 2024

Anthony Teles — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 12:08:54 -0400

This Spring, Toronto will once again welcome residents and visitors to explore its rich history through the annual Doors Open event. Taking place on the weekend of May 25 and 26, 2024, Doors Open offers free access to many of the city’s most iconic buildings, inviting everyone to uncover the storied past embedded in Toronto's landscapes and architecture.

This year, Doors Open Toronto explores the theme of "Hidden Histories," looking at the layers of untold stories that shape the city. Visitors can journey through forgotten pathways, behind the facades of buildings, and into the secret corners of Toronto. From tracing ancient Indigenous routes along the former shoreline of Lake Iroquois to uncovering the narratives of obscured rivers and historic social spaces, the event's open houses, guided tours, and discussions will offer a revealing look into the concealed chapters of Toronto's past.

Since its inception as a millennium project in 2000, Doors Open Toronto has inspired similar events across North America and continues to offer insightful tours, engaging talks, and fascinating exhibits. Here is a look at just three of the over 150 spaces and events to check out:

Explore the VEMU Estonian Museum Canada

New to the Doors Open roster this year is the VEMU Estonian Museum Canada, housed in Tartu College at 310 Bloor Street West. Designed by the Canadian Estonian architect Elmar Tampõld in 1970, Tartu College serves as a cultural hub for the Estonian community in Toronto. Visitors will have a rare opportunity to explore the building’s public spaces and normally restricted areas, such as the rooms used by Estonian academic organizations. The weekend also features a tour of VEMU’s extensive archives and the latest photo exhibit dedicated to Tartu, Estonia's 2024 European Capital of Culture. (Meanwhile, right next door, in the foreground of the image below, the KESKUS Estonian Cultural Centre is currently under-construction.)

Looking southwest to VEMU Estonian Museum Canada at Tartu College, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Johnny Au

Touring Toronto’s Oldest Neighbourhood with Stories of St Lawrence

"Stories of St Lawrence" — a tour led by the Toronto Society of Architects — invites attendees to traverse Toronto’s oldest neighbourhood. This tour reveals hidden art pieces and architectural facets that tell the story of this historic area. Set against the backdrop of its enduring buildings, art, and streets, the tour will tell St Lawrence's tale along with spirited debates on urban development and vertical growth. The one-hour tour will run on May 25 at 11 AM and at 1 PM and on May 26 at 11 AM only, and start at Berczy Park's Dog Fountain. All tours are free and require advance registration.

Berczy Park Dog Fountain, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo

A Returning Favourite: Aga Khan Museum

The Aga Khan Museum at 77 Wynford Drive returns to Doors Open to showcase its architectural elegance and cultural offerings. Visitors can experience the museum’s serene courtyard, distinctive dome, and the Bellerive Room's exquisite ceramics collection. The day includes activities ranging from architectural tours to interactive sessions like "Truth or Tale," where guests can engage with the museum's artifacts. Additionally, family-friendly activities and musical performances add to the visitor experience.

An aerial view of the Aga Khan Museum + Ismaili Centre, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor TwinHuey

You can learn all about the more than 150 sites and events this year by visiting the Doors Open website. Photos from the event can also be shared using our dedicated Doors Open Forum thread.

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News Roundup for April 29, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

How ‘gentle density’ measures up to the hype as cities tackle Canada’s housing crisis; TTC workers vote in favour of strike action amid contract talks; 'wallet-bursting' housing costs have some Torontonians ditching the city for cheaper pastures; and other news.

How ‘gentle density’ measures up to the hype as cities tackle Canada’s housing crisis (The Globe and Mail)

TTC workers vote in favour of strike action amid contract talks (CBC)

'Wallet-bursting' housing costs have some Torontonians ditching the city for cheaper pastures (CTV News)

Subway service between Kipling and Islington stations resumes after last week’s fire (CityNews)

This TTC route attracted the most complaints. Why we whine, what they do about it — and how your route ranks (The Star)

Striking tenants mark one year of withholding rent from landlords (CBC)

Time to sell your investment property? Claim your cottage as a principal residence? How to navigate the capital gains tax changes (The Star)

And You Get A Panel…

Craig White — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

In the image below by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy, a crew member at a residential construction site in Toronto prepares to receive a precast concrete cladding panel that is being hoisted into place by a crane. Now in reality, there are a couple more crew members hidden from sight at this angle, but nevertheless, those panels must weight 10 quadrillion pounds, and it looks pretty much impossible that such heavy materials could be guided into position by so few hands. Still, this is how it's done, so it works, and the photo therefore suggests that anyone could manage a 10 quadrillion pound panel, just give us one, and we'll show you!

A crew member prepares to receive a 10-quadrillion pound precast panel, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor skycandy

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Sustainability Month: ReHousing — A Multiplex How-To Guide Explores What’s Possible in the Yellowbelt

Sebastian Lopez Cardozo — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:30:13 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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In today's Toronto, clusters of post-war apartment towers loom over single-family homes, walk-ups are camouflaged amid Old Toronto houses, and residential neighbourhoods stagnate or shrink as the population booms. These incongruencies speak of short-lived attempts to distribute growth more evenly across the city’s vast residential areas.

Until recently, growth had nowhere to go but up and out, putting pressure on the apartment-friendly areas that have served new immigrants and the working poor for decades. The result of this uneven and unequal allocation of supply is seen most starkly in images like the one below at Yonge and Eglinton.

A densely built up cluster of high-rises surrounded by low-rise residential areas, Yonge and Eglinton epitomizes Toronto’s uneven growth and density. Image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor NorthshoreCity.

If the previous zoning regime is responsible for Toronto's irregular growth and density, perhaps updated zoning can provide a corrective. That was the hope of Toronto’s City Council last year when it voted in favour of Official Plan and Zoning by-law amendments to allow multiplex housing citywide, which effectively ended single-family zoning. Informed by studies spearheaded by City of Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods (EHON), the new rules aim to make it easier to create a gentle density boost across the vast residential areas of the city. ReHousing, a research initiative that contributed key design research to the EHON study, offers an evolving how-to guide that explores what’s now possible in the ‘Yellowbelt.’

Timeline showing common ‘Yellowbelt’ housing types through the years. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

“It’s not enough to change the rules of what you can build,” ReHousing co-director Michael Piper told UrbanToronto. “In California, garden suites have been allowed for about 10 years,” said Piper, “however, research suggests that it was only after tools to help people were developed that they began to see a lot of uptake.” This is what prompted the group to create their own free set of tools and guides for Toronto. Conceived in collaboration among the University of Toronto, Tuf Lab, and LGA Architectural Partners, ReHousing aims to provide current and prospective landowners with the knowledge needed to convert single-family homes into multi-unit housing — or from 1 to up to 5 units. The comprehensive website, which earned the group the 2023 CMHC President’s Medal for Outstanding Housing Research, takes users through a step-by-step process that shows what’s feasible and considers key rules and constraints, budget, and more.

The ReHousing website provides an easy-to-navigate guide to what’s now possible in the ‘Yellowbelt.’ Image courtesy of ReHousing.

At the heart of ReHousing’s how-to website is a catalogue of 13 housing types organized according to location and age, each with over four paths for transformation that range from minor renovations to new builds (divided into low, medium, high, and new depending on cost, complexity, and number of units added). Three-dimensional drawings and floor plans, real-estate listings, and a map locating a sample house make it easy for current or prospective owners to identify their house type.

ReHousing’s design catalogue is made up of the 13 most common house designs in Toronto, offering four different transformation options for each. Image Courtesy of ReHousing.

Navigating through each of the house types in the catalogue shows that the solutions offered can be quite different. The Postwar Bungalow and the Metroburb Wide, two house types on roughly similar-sized lots (12x38m and 13x33m respectively) usually found around Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York, are a case in point. The Postwar Bungalow, the website explains to the user, is a single-storey house with finished basement that typically features a detached garage with a side entrance. It often sits small on its lot and is aligned to one side to allow for parking access. The Metroburb Wide, a two-storey “snout” house with a protruding two-car garage and an unfinished basement, commonly occupies a higher percentage of the lot—and takes up its full width.

Real estate listings for the Postwar Bungalow, one of the 13 house types in ReHousing’s design catalogue. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

The Postwar Bungalow and Metroburb Wide house types lead to solutions of varying cost and complexity, each accompanied by prototype plans and three-dimensional drawings, which ultimately arrive at 5 units with anywhere from 10 to 15 beds. But the key difference is in the quality and type of units that each site can produce. While for the most part, the transformations to the Metroburb Wide are confined to its existing building footprint, the characteristics of the Postwar Bungalow mean that it can grow beyond it—typically in the form of a garden suite and a side addition.

“Medium” transformation option for the Metroburb Wide, with garage conversion. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

An example of the “high” transformation option for the Postwar Bungalow, with a new side addition and garden suite. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

ReHousing’s guide goes into a high-degree of granularity for each of the four types of transformations. The Postwar Bungalow's first option (“low”) works within the building's existing footprint to create two generous 3-bedroom units: To make the basement transformation possible, it converts the existing side door and stair into a private entry and introduces light wells. In addition to bringing light into the basement, ReHousing’s prototypical solution explains, the new light wells ensure the code requirement for a second means of egress is satisfied.

Prototypical plans, axonometric drawings, and stats for the existing and “low” transformation option for the Postwar Bungalow. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

The second option (“medium”) builds on the previous transformation and increases the unit count to four. Within the bungalow’s footprint, the basement alteration is maintained and the ground floor is split into two new units through the addition of a rear entrance. The generous proportions of the lot, ReHousing’s prototypical plans note, allow for a two-storey garden suite with firefighting access. The third option (“high”) combines all previous transformations and adds a fifth unit. A 2.8m wide side addition to the bungalow and two new sunken courtyards provide the space and access points needed to split the basement into two units. The final option (“new”), not shown here, contemplates a full rebuild in the form of a walk-up or stacked townhouses.

Prototypical plans, axonometric drawings, and stats for the “medium” and “high” transformation options for the Postwar Bungalow. Image courtesy of ReHousing.

“The goal [of the ReHousing initiative] is to empower groups that are not commonly part of the larger development community,” Piper told UrbanToronto, “whether that’s a small nonprofit housing provider or multiple generations of a family looking to live together.” ReHousing’s future work includes further improvements to how it delivers its guides and tools, and expanding its scope beyond Toronto. As more mayors look to gentle density increases to alleviate the housing crisis, ReHousing is gearing up to provide them with the necessary tools: “The next step is to work toward a more dynamic platform that can serve municipalities across Canada,” Piper said. “We’re reaching out to other municipalities [...] it’s a national-scale issue.”

Those interested in more information on ReHousing’s options for expanding housing can visit their website for all of the details.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png?2[/img]

Mattamy's Soleil and Mile & Creek Condos in Milton’s Flourishing Landscape

Anthony Teles — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 14:00:32 -0400

Once known primarily for its sprawling farmlands and quiet, small-town charm, Milton is rapidly transforming into one of Canada’s fastest-growing towns. Cradled by the picturesque Niagara Escarpment, it is here on the west side of the Greater Toronto Area that Mattamy Homes is planting its roots deeper with Soleil Condos and Mile & Creek Condos, two projects now under construction that are each designed to complement Milton’s offerings and budding urban culture, with designs by KNYMH Inc. Furthering their support for development in the region, the developer is holding a Spring Savings Event this weekend at their Milton sales office.

Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Milton offers an exceptional setting for developments like Soleil Condos and Mile & Creek. Close to both sites, residents have access to the Milton Sports Centre and Lions Sports Park, offering a variety of recreational activities. The future Milton Education Village, being built with partners Wilfrid Laurier University, Conestoga College, and more, will combine advanced learning offerings in a state-of-the-art campus environment. Shopping and dining are just a short drive away at the Milton Mall Shopping Centre and along Main Street, where local eateries and boutiques provide a vibrant retail scene.

Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

For nature enthusiasts, the proximity to Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area and the expansive Kelso Conservation Area offers plenty of outdoor activities. The developments' accessibility is enhanced by major thoroughfares such as Highway 401 and 407, as well as the Milton GO station, facilitating easy commutes to and from the Greater Toronto Area.

Lobby, Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Soleil Condos

To the west, located at 480-490 Gordon Krantz Avenue near Tremaine Road, Soleil Condos consists of four buildings spread across two phases. Each phase contains two buildings rising six storeys and housing a total of approximately 250 units per phase, with the second phase currently under construction. Each building’s architectural style strikes a balance between modern sophistication and the natural environment, featuring a mix of brickwork and contemporary finishes that resonate with their surroundings.

In-suite kitchen and living room, Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Residents benefit from cutting-edge Smart Home technology, including digital door locks and in-suite security systems, all accessible via smartphone. There is a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a yoga studio for health and wellness enthusiasts, while a spacious social lounge with a full kitchen and dining area makes entertaining simple. The co-working lounge and dedicated work-from-home spaces are designed for optimal productivity, reflecting the needs of today's hybrid working environment.

Rooftop, Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

Mile & Creek Condos

To the east at 720 and 740-770 Whitlock Avenue, Mile & Creek Condos showcases urban architecture within Milton’s natural environment. Situated in the Cobban neighbourhood on the east side of the city, this expansive development spans seven buildings organized into three phases. The architectural design by KNYMH Inc. includes five buildings reaching up to eight storeys. Collectively, these phases house a range of suites from cozy one-bedrooms to more expansive three-bedroom plus den options. The buildings feature a sophisticated mix of materials, such as wood, glass, and stone, meant to complement the picturesque backdrop of Milton’s landscape.

In-suite kitchen and living room, Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

The heart of this community is the Clubhouse Amenity Pavilion, which serves as a social and recreational hub with three floors of amenities. Here, residents can enjoy a fully equipped fitness centre, a media room for entertainment, and co-working spaces that cater to the needs of professionals. The social lounge and entertainment area offer perfect settings for community gatherings or private celebrations. Moreover, the expansive rooftop terrace with barbecuses, a dining area, and a fireside lounge offers views of the adjacent protected greenspaces.

Cliubhouse, Mile & Creek Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

As one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities, Mattamy sees Milton as an ideal location for these projects. To celebrate these community developments, Mattamy Homes is running a Spring Savings Event taking place on April 27th and 28th at their sales office at 10180 Derry Road. Running both days from 11 AM to 6 PM, Mattamy will be offering prospective homeowners significant incentives.

Rooftop, Soleil Condos, designed by KNYMH Inc for Mattamy Homes

With Soleil and Mile & Creek, Mattamy Homes continues to set a benchmark for community development, merging modern living with the serene backdrop of Milton’s landscapes.

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Galleria on the Park Soon to Welcome First Residents of Masterplanned Community

Anthony Teles — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 10:56:34 -0400

Since 1972, the Galleria Shopping Centre has stood at the intersection of Dupont and Dufferin streets in Toronto’s Wallace-Emerson neighbourhood. Now, Almadev is transforming the site into a masterplanned, mixed-use community, Galleria on the Park. This ambitious endeavour is bringing together residential, commercial, and public spaces across eight distinct towers and their surroundings. As a highlight of neighbourhood intensification, Galleria on the Park is building a vibrant community of nearly 3,000 units, a sprawling eight-acre park, and a state-of-the-art community centre.

Looking north to Galleria on the Park, image courtesy of Almadev

The new Wallace Emerson Community Centre, spanning 90,000 ft² with a design by Perkins&Will, will be one of the largest community centres in Toronto. It is set to offer community engagement and wellness with diverse programming, including a childcare centre, playground, gym, and swimming pools. Full fitness facilities will also boast a dance studio, running track, and outdoor skating trail. The centre is already rapidly taking shape, and progress can be seen as it reaches two storeys above ground, with its unique shape and curvature alongside Galleria 01 and 02 beginning to emerge.

Wallace-Emerson Community Centre, image courtesy of Almadev

The centre will sit on the edge of the expansive Wallace Emerson Park, slated to be eight acres, which will form the heart of this community, offering a green sanctuary in the urban environment. It will feature three multi-functional spaces. First, the "Community Heart" will include a BMX and skateboard park, a sports court, and an ice-skating trail for year-round activity. The "Play Heart" offers a versatile green field and playful hill, inviting residents to gather, socialize, and engage in outdoor activities. Finally, the "Nature Heart" provides a tranquil setting with a treed canopy and meandering paths.

The community will also enjoy nearly 300,000 ft² dedicated to a diverse array of shops and services. From day-to-day conveniences to boutique and artisan experiences, the retail offerings are aiming for variety and vibrancy.

Kicking off Galleria on the Park’s extensive redevelopment are Galleria 01 and 02, 24- and 29-storey high-rise buildings designed by Core Architects, introducing a sleek, modern aesthetic to the west end of the site. Having launched in late 2019, the buildings are now gearing up to open their doors to the first residents. The preparation for occupancies is in full swing, targeting the end of May, 2024, with Pre-Delivery Inspections (PDIs) slated for early May, 2024, and first occupancies shortly after.

An aerial view looking south to construction on the Wallace-Emerson Community Centre, image by Almadev

Galleria 01 and 02 offer living spaces where natural light and design excellence are paramount. These residential towers have commanding views of the park to the south and the dynamic stretch of Dupont Street to the north, with studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units. Each suite offers a sophisticated design, featuring contemporary countertops, sleek cabinetry, and built-in appliances alongside airy, open-concept kitchen and dining areas. Interiors are complemented by expansive terraces and balconies that invite the outside in.

In-suite kitchen, Galleria 01 & 02, image courtesy of Almadev

On the third floor, families will appreciate a spacious and creatively designed kids' playroom, complete with art niches and a variety of play structures to inspire young imaginations. For events and birthday celebrations, a kitchenette facilitates convenience and sociability. The building's twelfth floor offers a breadth of options for fitness enthusiasts, including an outdoor swimming pool framed by cabanas, and a state-of-the-art cardio zone, where residents can work out while enjoying views of the parkland below, complete with modern equipment, a yoga studio, and a sauna.

Fostering productivity, a co-working lounge provides a dynamic space enhanced by a calm colour palette and natural materials, reflecting the outdoor environment, while an outdoor terrace offers an intimate garden setting for social gatherings.

In-suite living room, Galleria 01 & 02, image courtesy of Almadev

While a handful of inventory Galleria 01 and 02 suites remain available, Almadev is announcing the release of new suites within Galleria III. That 31-storey second phase, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, is making tangible strides, with six of the podium’s seven storeys now complete. Its distinctive flatiron design is coming to life with the curvature of the podium already hinting at the distinctive shape that will characterize this new landmark.

Looking west to Galleria III, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for Almadev

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News Roundup for April 26, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Toronto unveils new sidewalk garbage bins, more than 1,000 to be installed across the city; this $6M ‘office mansion’ in the Annex is from the same designer as Casa Loma and Old City Hall; TTC says no subway service on part of Line 2 after fire; and other news.

Toronto unveils new sidewalk garbage bins, more than 1,000 to be installed across the city (CityNews)

This $6M ‘office mansion’ in the Annex is from the same designer as Casa Loma and Old City Hall (The Star)

TTC says no subway service on part of Line 2 after fire (CP24)

Brampton's new housing for women escaping violence is already full (CBC)

‘It’s going to take us all’: Mayor’s veto advances affordable housing plan in Stoney Creek (The Star)

Cherry St. bridge locked in upright position after it was damaged: PortsToronto (CityNews)

This $5-million sixplex can be bought empty, thanks to a loophole that’s let the units be rented on Airbnb (The Star)

Weekend need-to-know: Hot Docs and more Leafs playoff action (CityNews)

How It's Going

Craig White — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Following yesterday's Daily Photo of an early point in this building's restoration, a recent shot from an early point in the day highlights the restored walls of the Canada Malting Company Silos at Bathurst Quay. The glowing, mirror-glass, lakeside photo is by Bryan Bowen, the City of Toronto's manager of the restoration project, who is known around these parts as UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen. Work continues on the site as a park space is constructed to the south, OCAD University prepares to use some interior space as a new gallery, and other potential uses of parts of the historic structure are explored.

Early morning light on the restored Canada Malting Silos on Toronto Harbour, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen

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GTA 2024 BILD Award Finalists Announced — and You Can Vote!

Anthony Teles — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 17:32:11 -0400

The Building Industry and Land Development Association (BILD) is once again spotlighting the best of architectural and developmental innovation in the Greater Toronto Area with the announcement of the 2024 BILD Awards finalists. Established in 1980, these prestigious awards celebrate the exceptional achievements in design, construction, sales, and marketing of new homes across the region. With a focus on sustainability, craftsmanship, and community design, the list of finalists offers a compelling glimpse into the future of Toronto.

While there are more categories that you can check through on the official website, including Home Builder of the Year, Green Builder of the Year, Best Purpose-Built Rental, Best Community, and many more, we are highlighting three categories here: Project of the Year Mid-rise, Project of the Year High-rise, and the one where you are asked to vote, the People's Choice Award.

Finalists for Best Mid-Rise Building Design

55 Port East | Designed by Giannone Petricone Associates for FRAM + Slokker
Exhale Condominiums | Designed by Architecture Unfolded for Brixen Developments
Kingside Residences | Designed by Kohn Partnership Architects Inc. for Altree Developments
Lily at Crosstown | Designed by Core Architects for Aspen Ridge Homes
North Shore | Designed by Kirkor Architects Planners for National Homes

Finalists for Best High-Rise Building Design

Birchley Park | Designed by TACT Architecture for Diamond Kilmer Developments, CreateTO, Habitat for Humanity, and Evergreen
Elm – Ledbury | Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Turner Fleischer Architects for Fitzrovia Real Estate Inc.
Freed Hotel & Residences | Designed by AS + GG Architecture (with B+H Architects as Architect of Record) for Freed Developments
Park Road | Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for Capital Developments

Vote for the People's Choice Award

The BILD Awards invites you to have your say in the People's Choice Award for the best new community in the GTA from a list of ten finalists. You are encouraged to cast your vote by May 15, 2024, for a chance to not only shape the outcome but also win a $250 VISA pre-paid card.

People's Choice Award nominees, image by BILD

The Finalists:

The Campbell | Designed by Teeple Architects for TAS and BentallGreenOak
Daniels Mount Pleasant Village - MPV2 | Designed by Lemay and Kirkor Architects Planners for The Daniels Corporation
Elm – Ledbury | Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and Turner Fleischer Architects for Fitzrovia Real Estate Inc.
FourFifty The Well | Designed by architects—Alliance for RioCan Living and Woodbourne Canada Management, Inc.
Freed Hotel & Residences | Designed by AS + GG Architecture (with B+H Architects as Architect of Record) for Freed Developments
Clarehaven | Geranium Corporation
The Heights of Harmony, Phase II | Designed by RN Design for Minto Communities GTA
Maple House at Canary Landing | Designed by COBE Architects and architects—Alliance for Dream Unlimited, Kilmer Group, and Tricon Residential
Park Road | Designed by Diamond Schmitt Architects for Capital Developments
West & Post Towns | Designed by Orchard Design Studio Inc for Branthaven Homes

Remember, the power to decide lies in your hands — click here to cast your vote!

The winners will be announced on the BILD Awards website on May 29, 2024, with award trophies handed out at the BILD Awards Gala on May 30, 2024.

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Brightwater Resubmission Proposes Increased Density and Height in Port Credit

Anthony Teles — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:52:18 -0400

Plans are being revised for Brightwater, a masterplanned community on a sprawling 72-acre site on the shores of Lake Ontario in Port Credit. Developed by Port Credit West Village Partners — a consortium including Kilmer Group, Dream Unlimited, Diamond Corp, FRAM + Slokker, and Slokker Real Estate Group — and designed by Giannone Petricone Associates, the latest resubmission to the City of Mississauga seeks to upzone its as yet undeveloped southernmost blocks to bring additional residential units.

Brightwater, Mississauga, designed by Giannone Petricone Architects for Port Credit West Village Partners

The former industrial site at 70 Mississauga Road South has been an active hub of construction since 2019, with phased development progressing from north to south. To date, about 725 residential units have been built, and significant site works and infrastructure development, including extensive remediation and road network construction, have been completed.

The development strategy emphasizes a mix of uses and housing types, with townhomes, mid-rise, and tall buildings. Already lining the main street along Lakeshore Road West are retail and mid-rise buildings.

Images of current construction at Brightwater, image from submission to City of Mississauga

In 2019, the Brightwater Master Plan, implemented via Amendment 97 to the Mississauga Official Plan, laid a comprehensive foundation for transforming the site into a mixed-use, transit-supportive community. It envisioned 2,995 residential units distributed across a variety of building types, from townhomes to high-rise towers reaching 29 storeys, with a Gross Floor Area (GFA) of approximately 417,500m². Public spaces were integral, with around 18 acres designated for parks and open spaces, amounting to 25% of the net site area.

A diagram of the blocks and storeys of the master-planned community, image from submission to City of Mississauga

A March, 2024 Official Plan Amendment application introduces modifications to Blocks P, Q, and U, aiming to optimize residential capacity, increasing the total number of units by 898 to 3,893. Block P would now feature a 35-storey tower, up from the previously approved 29 storeys, increasing Brightwater's skyline presence. Block Q would see a shift from townhomes to two high-rise towers at 15 and 29 storeys, supporting sustainable urban growth and maximizing the waterfront location.

A comparison of Blocks P, Q, and U from the original application (left) and resubmission (right), image from submission to City of Mississauga

Block U would see its maximum heights adjusted slightly. Its buildings, previously capped between 8 and 15 storeys, are now revised to span from 9 to 19 storeys, to better transition from the adjacent blocks to the waterfront park to the south.

Block U Demonstration Plan, 2019 (left) and current proposal (right), image from submission to City of Mississauga

The site is about 1.5km west of Port Credit GO station, which is accessible only by walking, biking, MiWay bus, or by car via the congested Lakeshore Road bridge over the Credit River, although an electric shuttle will be running as of sometime next month for Brightwater residents to get to and from the GO station. The City of Mississauga currently has no remedies insight for the substantial Lakeshore Road bridge congestion issue. The GO station, however, is set to expand with the Hurontario LRT, now under construction, running north to Square One and beyond to Brampton. The Lakeshore West GO line is due to receive significant upgrades in the future as part of the GO network expansion, including electrification and enhanced service of all day frequencies of 15 minutes or better.

Approved heights for Blocks P and Q, original submission (top) and current proposal (bottom), image from submission to City of Mississauga

The Brightwater development is part of a broader surge in urban revitalization sweeping through Port Credit along the waterfront. Directly to the north, The Shores of Port Credit, completed in 2022, features two 8-storey buildings. On the east side of the Credit River, avoiding the congestion on the Lakeshore Road bridge, and closer to the GO station, the Port Credit Marina Redevelopment is an ambitious master-planned project that encompasses 8 blocks and includes 9 buildings, with the tallest reaching 22 storeys. Meanwhile, 42-46 Park Street East and 70 Park Street East are proposed at 22 and 38 storeys, respectively, and 88 Park Street East is a proposed 42-storey tower directly adjacent to the GO station.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The story has been corrected to indicated 18 acres of parks, not hectares, and now includes a reference to a shuttle to and from the GO station.

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Wyse Meter Solutions Encouraging Sustainability Through Submetering Technology

Anthony Teles — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:28:35 -0400

Sustainability remains an ongoing challenge and a guiding principle for many companies active in Toronto’s real estate scene. Wyse Meter Solutions is playing its part through submetering technology for utility management. Submetering involves the installation of smart meters that connect directly to the utility lines within a building’s service rooms or individual suites. These meters measure individual consumption in each suite, enabling precise billing based on actual usage rather than estimations.

Wyse Meter Solutions, founded in 2006, carved its niche in the Canadian utility industry by offering an enhanced submetering experience to building developers, owners, managers, and residents. Recognizing early on the need to integrate advanced technology into its operations, Wyse has transformed its market position to become a leader in the industry. UrbanToronto recently spoke with Peter Mills, their CEO, to dive deeper into how this technology plays an important role in sustainable, mixed-income urban communities.

Licensed and regulated by the Ontario Energy Board, Wyse advocates for what the company refers to as a “triple-bottom-line” approach — balancing environmental, social, and financial responsibilities. As Mills tells UrbanToronto, “Wyse has designed its program to ensure it fits needs from market rentals to affordable housing units.”

Ontario requires new multi-residential buildings to submeter for electricity, with Wyse providing an all-in-one service for utilities. Beyond that, it also promotes mixed-income housing, designed to be inclusive, featuring market-rate, affordable, and subsidized housing. Submetering ensures that residents are only billed for the utilities they consume, which is especially beneficial in settings with more pronounced financial disparities.

Looking southeast to The Well's rental buildings part of Wyse's portfolio, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor AHK

Mills highlights the evolution of submetering, "Initially about putting the burden of the cost of utilities into the users' hands, it has evolved substantially. We are now using the data to help support our clients and building owners, and helping them take their buildings to the next level in terms of efficiency." This is illustrated through their work at The Well, one of the most talked about mixed-use developments in Toronto, with 1,700 residential units across six buildings. “There are about 1,000 suites that are rental-occupied,” Mills says, “and residents are thrilled to have access to that data.”

Through their work at The Well, Wyse is looking at “the gamification of data,” as Mills puts it. This data can give residents a better understanding of their greenhouse gas emissions impact and encourage them to potentially change their behaviour. Going further, building owners will be able to compare buildings in their portfolio, giving an overview of how developments rank in different neighbourhoods in terms of sustainability.

Looking east to The Well from street level, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor karledice

At The Well, Wyse’s submetering is complemented by the Enwave Deep Lake Water Cooling system which uses cold water piped from far below the surface of Lake Ontario to provide cooling throughout the complex in the summer. In the winter, the system uses warm water stored in the earth beneath the complex to heat it. Wyse integrates submetering solutions with technologies like this, supporting and advancing Toronto's green building standards.

The integration of AI and extensive data analytics allows for deep insights into energy usage patterns. "With about 8 billion rows of energy data in our cloud system, we're looking beyond billing to see how this information can help building owners enhance operational efficiencies and sustainability," Mills shares. This data-driven strategy enables real-time adjustments to building operations, optimizing energy consumption and significantly reducing waste.

The Well concourse and canopy, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor rdaner

Looking to the future, Mills is optimistic about the role of submetering in achieving broader sustainability goals. "The next five years will focus heavily on data-driven decisions to make buildings more efficient," he says. Mills envisions a shift towards buildings that are beyond carbon neutral, generating carbon offsets that can also be financially advantageous, with some buildings generating more energy than they use. “This would be a wonderful place to reach,” Mills shares, “and hopefully we can get there before 2050.”

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News Roundup for April 25, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

A look at seven new ‘supertall’ buildings that are coming to Toronto, including the pros and cons; new condo sales in the Toronto area hit low not seen since financial crisis; some Canadian cottage owners upset after Ottawa increases capital gains tax; and other news.

Seven new ‘supertall’ buildings are coming to Toronto — is that a good thing? (The Star)

New condo sales in the Toronto area hit low not seen since financial crisis (CP24)

Some Canadian cottage owners upset after Ottawa increases capital gains tax (CTV News)

Residents say Toronto’s harbour is getting louder. Here’s the plan to turn the noise down (The Star)

Toronto rent prices fell for a third straight month, while this city saw the highest yearly increase in Ontario (The Star)

More than 11,500 housing units are delayed in Toronto — four times as many as last summer, report says (The Star)

How It Started

Craig White — Thu, 25 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

Yesterday's Daily Photo was of a new park coming together at the foot of Bathurst Quay. Today we get a look at the main reason why: the Canada Malting Company Silos, a heritage site celebrated for its part in Canada's early growth, is being restored. Today's photo by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen is from May 2022, about 6 months into the silo rehab project. You can see the start of the scaffolding just making its way around the south elevation of the south silo. Tomorrow we'll be back for a look at how well the rehab project is doing now!

The Canada Malting Company Silo as of May, 2022, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen

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Latest Iteration of 50 Eglinton West Proposes 46- and 58-Storey Towers

Anthony Teles — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:58:30 -0400

With the earliest redevelopment plan for the site having been submitted to the City of Toronto over a decade ago and a variety of versions since, 50 Eglinton Avenue West is now proposed as 46 and 58-storey towers designed by AUDAX architecture for Madison Group. Situated on the north side of Eglinton Avenue West, between Duplex Avenue and Henning Avenue, the Midtown Toronto site is a short walk west of Yonge Street. The mixed-use condominium complex would incorporate the heritage Toronto Hydro-Electric System Eglinton Substation within its podium.

Looking northeast to 50 Eglinton Avenue West, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Madison Group

Spanning a total area of approximately 3,989m², the rectangular property assembly comprises 50-60 Eglinton Avenue West, 90 Eglinton Avenue West, and 17-19 Henning Avenue. Currently, the site is home to the heritage-designated 2-story brick building, formerly the Toronto Hydro-Electric System Eglinton Substation, built in 1922, and adjacent structures including a vacant 3-story hydro depot building and a 6-story office building with underground parking.

Looking northwest to the current site from the corner of Eglinton Avenue West and Duplex Avenue, image from submission to City of Toronto

As per the timeline provided in this resubmission, a 2014 rezoning application for 90 Eglinton Avenue West aimed to construct a 29-storey mixed-use building, with subsequent proposals in 2016 including a redesign of the adjacent Henning Avenue properties to mixed-use. In 2017, City Council permitted a maximum height of about 92.5m.

Looking north towards the 2017 proposal for 50-60 Eglinton West, image retrieved from submission to City of Toronto

An application in 2017 proposed a 36-storey building, revised downward to 32 storeys in a settlement that also merged the site with adjacent properties. In 2020, an application proposed 26- and 32-storey towers. Due to the City requiring updated heights in line with the Yonge-Eglinton Secondary Plan, a resubmission increased tower heights to 34 and 39 storeys. However, an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal resulted in a mediated settlement endorsed by City Council in May, 2022, reducing heights to 33 and 35 storeys. The latest Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-Law Amendment application is a technical adjustment rather than a redesign, seeking to increase permitted heights and densities.

The 2019 proposal for 50-90 Eglinton West, image via submission to City of Toronto

The current proposal with Turner Fleischer Architects as Architect of Record would introduce a west tower slated to rise 46 storeys or 159m, and an east tower at 58 storeys or 194.2m. Together, they would house a total of 1,206 residential units. With six elevators per tower, residents would have one elevator for every 100.5 units, indicating reasonable wait times.

Ground floor plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

The design features a 2-storey podium that forms a visually cohesive base for the towers, integrating retail and amenity spaces while partially restoring the south and east elevations of the heritage building, overseen by GBCA Architects, with the western portion mirroring the facade. It would contain 1,313m² of retail units along Eglinton Avenue West. Two separate residential lobbies would be situated at the northwest and northeast corners.

Podium of 50 Eglinton Avenue West, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for Madison Group

The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) would be 75,462m², with residential uses taking 74,148m², resulting in a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 19.09. The development plan includes 2,159m² of indoor amenities along with 1,116m² of outdoor amenity areas, found on the first three floors. Within a three-level underground parking structure, there would be provisions for 156 resident, 14 visitor, and 60 retail parking spaces. For cyclists, there would be 1,089 long-term and 128 short-term spots.

Site plan, image from submission to City of Toronto

Located just a short 150m walk west of the Eglinton station, the station is served by Yonge Line 1, several bus routes, and soon the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT. Avenue Road station on Line 5 is just 450m west of the site.

Aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

As urban intensification continues, the Yonge-Eglinton Centre neighbourhood features a diverse array of architectural forms ranging from traditional detached homes and "tower in the park" style buildings, to modern skyscrapers. Northwest of the site, 21-35 Henning Avenue is proposed at 34 storeys. Northeast, 2350 Yonge Street calls for a 50-storey tower. To the east, 36 Eglinton Avenue West is set to stand 59 storeys. At the Yonge and Eglinton intersection, 1 Eglinton Avenue East is proposed at 65 storeys. Southeast of the site, five buildings are proposed at 2180 Yonge Street which would range from 45 to 65 storeys.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database files, 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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Sustainability Month: Mass Timber Construction Showing Long-Term Economic Benefits

Rick Muller — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 15:33:44 -0400

UrbanToronto is celebrating Earth Month throughout April with features that examine the issues and challenges of sustainability in the development industry.

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It took some time to get here, but the use of sustainable materials in construction is proving to be cost-effective and economically beneficial in the long term and most experts in the development industry see this continuing. The move to sustainable construction is growing in popularity and one of the most popular materials is the use of mass timber in buildings. It can be manufactured off-site and assembled on-site, bringing products to market faster and is much more environmentally friendly than concrete or steel.

A leading voice for incorporating mass timber as an economic benefit for sustainability in construction is Don Manlapaz, Partner at Leader Lane Developments. In partnership with Windmill Development Group, Leader Lane currently has three projects in its pipeline using mass timber in its construction, Hälsa, two projects on Royal York Road, and a 12-storey building at Bloor and Jane, with the first project to begin construction this fall.

Looking west to 230 Royal York Road, designed by LWPAC Architects for Leader Lane Developments and Windmill Development Group Ltd

“We could be on the dawn of a new era as the marketplace is experimenting with the mass timber approach in development,” says Manlapaz. “One of the biggest benefits is financial due to time compression. Because mass timber elements can be manufactured off-site and then installed on-site, construction times for some modest multi-storey buildings can be shortened from six months to 10 weeks in some cases.”

Within this mass timber era has emerged a modular wood revolution, building more affordable wood buildings for sustainable, human-scale neighbourhoods, led by such companies as Assembly Corp. It has been successful doing this because quite simply, the market is there.

“We need to start building infrastructure that is good for people and good for the planet because unfortunately, our built environment is a significant contributor to the climate crisis,” says Assembly Corp. CEO Geoff Cape. “These sentiments are shared by the industry and general public as more than 80% of Canadians want action on climate change. Sustainability is core to our DNA as a company and our mission is to build sustainable living solutions.”

“Wood is our primary building material and the only renewable one available,” says Francesca MacKinnon, Director of Sales and Marketing at Assembly. “Its value lies in its operational efficiency, carbon footprint and in its biophilic properties. It’s not only sustainable to work with, but it feels good to live in. Using our prefabricated mass timber approach provides housing to those that need it most, faster than traditional alternatives. Using a prefabricated method reduces time, errors and waste on site. Increasing our level of completion off-site is equally important as it allows us to build in a controlled environment. Assembly is able to achieve 20-50% in time savings and 15-20% in cost savings using a prefab modular wood approach.”

Looking west to 430 Royal York Road, designed by CMV Group architects for Leader Lane Developements and Windmill Development Group Ltd

Evidence that sustainable materials in construction are here to stay can be found in a 125,000 ft² manufacturing facility built for mass timber manufacturer Element5 that opened in December 2020 in St Thomas, which represented an investment of $50 million by the company.

“The growth and excitement in the mass timber industry was apparent and placing a manufacturing facility in Southern Ontario was an opportunity to fill a geographical gap in the market,” says Lee Scott, Manager, Sales for Canada and the USA for Element5. “The St Thomas facility is perfectly situated to serve the GTA, Ontario, the Midwest, and the entire eastern seaboard of the United States, which is a huge potential customer base. Prior to Element5, that market would only have been served by manufacturers in Europe, the West Coast, or Northern Quebec.”

The market is taking to mass timber as a sustainable material in construction because the end users love the aesthetics of the exposed wood, the general contractors see the advantage in the speed at which buildings can be erected and everyone benefits from using a natural, sustainable, renewable resource which has a lower impact on the environment. “If the design is efficient, mass timber buildings are cost-competitive with traditional methods, but you are getting a much better building for the money. It’s win, win,” says Scott.

Looking south to 2453-2469 Bloor Street West, designed by BDP Quadrangle for Leader Lane Developments and Windmill Development Group Ltd

Economically, wood is also proving its long-term benefits in construction. “Looking at the materials though, the wood may cost more than concrete or steel, but you are potentially saving on drywall in areas where the wood is exposed and there are savings for using less concrete for foundations due to wood being a lightweight material,” says Scott. “Also, the savings in the construction schedule translates into real dollars, especially at a time where interest rates are high and therefore construction financing is costly.”

Environmentally and economically, wood is making better sense in using sustainable materials in construction, while at the same time, it is also proving popular to designers. “We’re also seeing more of the design community get behind mass timber and this gives developers options,” observes Scott. “Designs are also getting more efficient and we’re continuing to advance technologies to bring costs down further. Expect to see many more mass timber buildings in the near and distant future.”

Development in any form obviously must make economic sense to move forward. Sustainable construction approaches and materials now being adopted are not only the right thing to do in the bigger picture but are now proven to make the most sense to the bottom line.

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Thank you to the companies joining UrbanToronto to celebrate Earth Month.

[img=https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/]https://urbantoronto.ca/sustainability-month/img/sustainability-sponsors.png[/img]

Aspen Ridge Freehold Townhomes at Crosstown in Masterplanned Community

Anthony Teles — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 11:23:13 -0400

Townhomes at Crosstown is the newest addition to Aspen Ridge’s expansive 60-acre master-planned Crosstown Community, nestled in the greenery of Toronto's Don Valley. The freehold townhomes will soon join other Crosstown buildings currently under construction on this remarkable infill site that is set to house a variety of buildings. Offering thousands of residential units, along with office space, retail, parks, and major new community spaces, there will also be a new transit hub at the Science Centre Station that will connect the Ontario Line to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT, and offer frequent local and express bus services from the north.

An aerial view of the Crosstown Community, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

The Townhomes at Crosstown each feature 3-storey units. These homes come in spacious layouts that range in area from 2,200 to over 2,800 ft². Prospective homeowners can choose from two distinct collections: the Courtyard Collection, which feature a private detached garage and backyard; and the Rooftop Collection, which features an attached garage and a private rooftop terrace.

Living and dining room, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

The freehold townhomes feature a blend of stone, clay brick, wood-like and/or stucco finishes, complemented by precast concrete window sills, headers, and entrance arches. The windows throughout have bird-friendly exterior glazings.

An aerial view of Townhomes at Crosstown, by Aspen Ridge

Aspen Ridge has introduced the Design Studio, a 4,000 ft² facility where purchasers or buyers can customize their homes with a selection of high-standard finishes to match their unique styles. The interior spaces of these townhomes are designed with high ceilings — 10 feet on the main level in select units, with some units even boasting a 13-foot ceiling in the living room area — and are complemented by a contemporary kitchen cabinetry with either granite or quartz countertops. Each unit will also boast an elevator option, featuring engineered hardwood flooring, stainless steel finish call stations, and a nostalgic manual accordion cab gate.

Kitchen, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

Future residents will benefit from an array of premium amenities all designed to enrich the urban living experience. Crosstown's 5 acres of parkland and open spaces provide many options for relaxation and socializing. The community provides easy access to Sunnybrook Park, Aga Khan Park, and Edwards Gardens, and also plenty of local shops and restaurants in the nearby Leaside and Don Mills neighbourhoods.

Park System, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

Aspen Ridge envisions the Crosstown community as an urban hub that brings together residential, commercial, and public spaces. This transit-oriented development includes direct underground access to Science Centre Transit Hub to be served by the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT and Ontario Line 3, linking residents to downtown Toronto and beyond, to live, work, play and thrive. In only 5 stops, LRT riders can be at Eglinton station to catch the subway downtown.

Ontario Science Centre Station, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

With over 30 years of comprehensive experience, Aspen Ridge stands as one of Canada’s leading developers, known for its vertically integrated approach that encompasses all aspects of community building from land acquisition to construction, following sustainable and innovative development practices.

Townhomes at Crosstown, Courtyard Collection

Interested parties are invited to visit the Crosstown Presentation Centre at 844 Don Mills Road that is now open.

Backyard, image courtesy of Aspen Ridge

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News Roundup for April 24, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Fickle home buyers tiptoe into spring market; Queen's Cross food hall is opening in Toronto’s Eaton Centre today; rent in Toronto is on the decline for the third month in a row, according to report; and other news.

Fickle home buyers tiptoe into spring market (The Globe and Mail)

A new food hall is opening in Toronto’s Eaton Centre Wednesday. Here’s what to expect (The Star)

Rent in Toronto is on the decline for the third month in a row: report (CP24)

Hidden waterways beneath Toronto could help transform its future (CBC)

Cottage listings to rise as owners try to sell before capital gains tax changes kick in, realtors say (The Star)

That's Some Arm

Craig White — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

While Toronto rushes into the sky with more concrete and rebar, the same thing is happening in a number of places more horizontally structured, places where we will be able to relax and enjoy the lake and our landscape better. In this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen, work progresses on Bathurst Quay Common, a new park coming by at water's edge of the Western Gap, where Toronto Harbour meets Lake Ontario. Behind in the rear middleground are the Canada Malting Company Silos that are being rejuvenated as another piece of making our waterfront more accessible... but the task at hand, or at arm's length in this photo, is to get the new park ready for Torontonians to enjoy later this year.

A concrete boom pump delivers liquid concrete to forms at the future Bathurst Quay Common, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor bowen

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Madison Resubmits Midtown Proposals with Viñoly-Designed Towers

Anthony TelesCraig White — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 17:58:53 -0400

Midtown Toronto is seeing a transformative growth spurt, largely spurred by the ever-imminent opening of the Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT. Just to the east of Eglinton station, Madison Group has reworked two nearby sites, seeking to create landmark developments at 110 and 150 Eglinton Avenue East, both designed by renowned Rafael Viñoly Architects, with Turner Fleischer Architects as the Architect of Record. These separate yet harmoniously designed applications introduce a vision of tailored high-rise, mixed-use complexes.

Looking south to 90 and 150 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

At 90 and 110 Eglinton Avenue East, a mostly rectangular assembly spans 5,450m². This site currently hosts two significant structures: a 9-storey office building featuring retail spaces at ground level at 90 Eglinton Avenue East, and a 7-storey mixed-use building that accommodates retail, commercial, and office spaces at 110 Eglinton Avenue East.

Currently at 90 and 110 Eglinton Avenue East, image retrieved from Apple Maps

Meanwhile, the 150 Eglinton Avenue East site encompasses 5,172m², merging the addresses of 150, 160, and 162 Eglinton, along with 134 and 140 Redpath Avenue. This site is predominantly filled with low to mid-rise commercial office and retail buildings, except 140 Redpath Avenue, which serves as a surface parking lot.

Currently at 150 to 162 Eglinton Avenue East, image retrieved from Apple Maps

Previously proposed at 90 and 110 Eglinton East was a Turner Fleischer Architects-designed plan for 57 and 59 storey towers rising from a shared podium.

Previous design, looking northeast to 110 Eglinton East, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects for the Madison Group

Previously proposed at 150 to 162 Eglinton Avenue east was a design by BDP Quadrangle which called for 49 and 52 storey towers rising from a shared podium.

Previous design of 150 Eglinton East, designed by BDP Quadrangle for the Madison Group

The new proposal for 110 Eglinton Avenue East envisions red aluminum-clad 58-storey towers each rising to 236.55m, integrating residential, office, and retail functions. The revised design maintains a dual-tower configuration but achieves a more slender and elongated form, each featuring two volumes, one volume of which stops partway up — the west tower's shorted volume ending at 31 storeys, and the shorter portion of the east tower ending at 38 storeys. The development proposes a total of 1,035 residential units — a reduction from an earlier proposal of 1,116 units. The west tower, with 563 units and the east tower with 472 units would each have 7 elevators, meaning 1 elevator for every 80.4 and 67.4 units respectively, impressively under the 1 elevator per 100 unit threshold, promising very good elevator service.

Looking northeast to 110 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The 9-storey podium from the previous design is eliminated in favour of a "floating bridge" connecting the towers from levels 5 to 10. While 1,305m² of retail space is planned at grade, 23,005m² of office space would be found on floors 2 through 10. While the proposal at 150 Eglinton east features towers of 61 storeys each as opposed to the 58-storey towers here, both proposals are virtually the same height owing to the taller second through tenth floors for office space at this address. The office floors are provided with additional elevators. While the two sites each had replacement office space for the existing offices in the previous designs, all of the office space in the new proposals is collected at this address.

Below the "floating bridge" at 110 Eglinton East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The design entails a three-level underground garage that accommodates 179 residential and 33 visitor/non-residential parking spaces, reduced from the previous total of 366 spaces. In contrast, bicycle parking facilities have seen an increase, comprising 1,046 spaces for residents and 107 spaces for retail/office use. The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) would now be 93,097m², slightly decreased from the initial 94,903m², with adjustments made to balance residential and commercial spaces more effectively.

Site plan, 110 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

To the east, the proposal for 150 Eglinton Avenue East proposes two 61-storey towers that share the same design language, each reaching a height of 236.75m, just 20cm taller than its sibling proposal. The shorter section of the west tower here rises to 28 storeys, while the shorter section of the east tower rises to 40 storeys. The redesign eliminates the 6-storey podium, allowing the towers to rise directly from grade.

Looking north to 150 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The new plan would offer a total of 1,329 units, up from the 845 units proposed previously. The west tower, with 648 units and the east tower with 681 units would each have 7 elevators, meaning 1 elevator for every 92.6 and 97.3 units respectively, comfortably under the 1 elevator per 100 unit threshold, promising good elevator service.

Combined retail space of 1,181m² would be found at ground level of the two towers, with the aim to create a lively and engaging streetscape. Residents would have access to amenities located on the 2nd, 28th, and 40th floors, with 2,389m² indoors and 921m² outdoors.

Site plan, 150 Eglinton Avenue East, designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects for Madison Group

The design incorporates a three-level underground garage. Vehicular parking spaces have been reduced from 304 to 201, including 173 for residents and 28 for visitors and commercial use. Bicycle parking capacity would be increased to 1,345 spaces. The total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of the development has expanded to 89,019m², compared to 76,479m² previously, along with 1,181m² designated for retail purposes.

The removal of traditional podiums has paved the way for 5,055m² of POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly accessible Space) total over both sites. The space would feature pedestrian-friendly pathways and landscaped areas that connect Eglinton Avenue to Roehampton Avenue. There would be new mid-block connections enhanced by outdoor rooms including an amphitheatre and adventure playground, along with café and retail patios.

These sites are situated less than 400m east of the Eglinton station on Yonge Line 1 and the future Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT, placing them within the station’s Major Transit Station Area, where greater density is encouraged by provincial and municipal regulations. Mount Pleasant station on Line 5 is a similar distance to the east.

An aerial view of 110 Eglinton Avenue East and the surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

To the north, The Hampton is nearing completion as a new 38-storey residential tower, while the nearby 77 Roehampton Avenue is proposed as a 50-storey high-rise, and 141 Roehampton Avenue at 58 storeys. Directly south, a 55-storey tower is proposed at 55 Eglinton Avenue East. Closer to the Yonge and Eglinton intersection, the application for 1 Eglinton Avenue East calls for a 65-storey mixed-use development.

An aerial view of 150 Eglinton Avenue East and the surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

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Avontuura's Wanderer Guides Designed For Architecture Buffs to Geek-out in Toronto, and Worldwide

Craig White — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 14:30:00 -0400

As an UrbanToronto reader, we're willing to bet that you pay more attention to the architecture of Toronto — and anywhere else you many happen to be hanging out — than your non-UrbanToronto-reading friends (exasperating, aren't they?!). On any given block in your hometown you probably know facts and figures for a number of the buildings you see, their history, who designed them, and what style they are… or if you're traveling the great cities of the world, you've got a checklist of buildings to check out, and you don't want to miss anything particularly cool.

Karl van Es, and the Legend for the Hong Kong Avontuura Wanderer map

Architect Karl van Es has got your back, in a dozen of the world's great cities, including this one. Van Es, an Associate and sustainability expert at BDP Quadrangle, feels that way when he's out and about, and wanted a quick tool to find the significant buildings in cities he's travelled to, and so designed a line of fold-out guides as quick references — the Wanderer Series from Avontuura — to help you with your touring.

The guides are just slightly smaller than a standard fold map size, so will fit in a big pocket or any carry-all you have with you. They're not meant to give you the entire background of a building, but they include who designed the building while assuming you'll do further research about the ones that really impress you. The guides geographically group what's worth seeing, and give you convenient info that won't disappear from your screen anytime you close your smartphone. The guides provide the reliability, immediate reference, and tactility of printed materials, lasting qualities of the analogue — like buildings have themselves — in this increasingly momentary digital world.

The series — publication of which began in 2023 — has just reached a dozen titles, with Amsterdam, Berlin, Singapore, and Toronto just having been added to the set this month. Buildings that any tourist would want to find can be found on the maps, like the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building, and Sagrada Familia, but Modern masterworks can be found as well, like Copenhagen's Copenhill, London's Barbican Estate, and Singapore's Marina Bay Sands, while more obscure gems are there too, like Berlin's Bauhaus Archive, Los Angeles' Ramón C. Cortines School, and Tokyo's Fuji Kindergarten. In fact, as curated lists, the Wanderer guides will get you to buildings that you might have overlooked too.

The front of each guide features a squiggle of one of that city's noteworthy buildings — some of which you'll recognize right away, and some of which may leave you guessing (back covers reveal all!!) — but every squiggle is a single line, from a starting to and ending point, suggesting something else that you'll find in each guide: a recommended route that will help you maximize your sightseeing time.

You can buy Avontuura's Wanderer series from their online shop, but courtesy of Avontuura, we'd like to make some UrbanToronto readers happy with a chance to win a complete set of the series so far — Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Copenhagen, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, and of course, Toronto — by following two easy steps:

Follow our quickly growing @urbantoronto TikTok channel, and
Comment "Wanderer" on any of our TikToks by 11.59.59 PM EDT, April 30, 2024.

Three winners will be chosen at random and announced on May 1, 2024. Each winner will have the full set mailed to them! Best of luck!

Want to be alerted when Avontuura's next Wanderer titles come out? Follow their Instagram account here.

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Queen's Cross Food Hall Brings Global Flavours to Toronto Eaton Centre

Anthony Teles — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 11:57:51 -0400

Last week, Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality and Cadillac Fairview hosted an exclusive sneak peek of Queen's Cross Food Hall, set to open on April 24th at the south end of Toronto Eaton Centre. The collaboration brings together two powerhouses in the hospitality and retail industries, with a shared vision of creating a vibrant, inclusive dining destination in the heart of Downtown Toronto. The event offered a tantalizing glimpse into the remake of the 19,000 ft² “chef-driven” dining area located close by the Queen subway station entrance on the mall's lower level.

The food hall's design by Solid Design Creative draws inspiration from the bustling atmosphere of a cosmopolitan train station — in particular London's iconic King's Cross station. Visitors are greeted by the "Queen's Cross Food Hall" signage, presented in a style that echoes London's tube station signs, immediately setting the tone for the immersive experience. Above the entrance, an eye-catching split flap board, reminiscent of the classic departures boards found in transit hubs, adds to the dynamic ambiance, with its changing display.

Entrance to Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

Once inside, the space begins with a Victorian greenhouse aesthetic, with greenery and inviting communal seating areas that include wooden banquettes and which create a social-friendly environment. Adding to the King’s Cross connection is the clock above the bar, evoking the clock tower of London’s famed station.

The bar and cafe, image by Anthony Teles

Further in, the facades of each food stall reflect their brands, while this space is characterized by exposed ceiling fixtures dropped from an industrial-chic open ceiling with blacked-out ductwork.

Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

As Sal Iacono, President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview, and Andrew Oliver, President & CEO of Oliver & Bonacini Hospitality, addressed the gathered crowd, their enthusiasm for the project was palpable. Iacono emphasized the culinary collaboration and food hall's role in enhancing the mall's retail and dining mix. It was a sentiment echoed by Oliver, who spoke of the challenges faced during the pandemic and the desire to create a space that serves the community.

Sal Iacono, President and CEO of Cadillac Fairview, addressing the crowd, image by Anthony Teles

Chef Michael Robertson, Oliver & Bonacini’s Corporate Events Chef who is overseeing Queen's Cross' cuisine, spoke on his team's commitment to creating an inviting space for everyone, from morning coffees to nighttime cocktails, catering to different tastes and preferences. "This is not an elite space. Everyone is welcome," he stated, highlighting the food hall's inclusivity and accessibility.

Within Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

Queen's Cross Food Hall boasts 13 food stalls, a bar and café, two rotating pop-up stalls, and enough seating for 300 people. The diverse array of cuisines offers new quick-service brands and adaptations of Oliver & Bonacini restaurants and pop-ups, with something for every palate, from the classic comforts of fish and chips to the inventive twists of sushi bowls. The inclusion of limited-time pop-ups allows a refreshing of offerings on a regular. At opening, the pops-up are Lil Rebel by Chef Eric Chong of Michelin Bib Gourmand-rated R&D, and Craig's Cookies which will add scrumptious desserts to the mix.

Within Queen's Cross Food Hall, image by Anthony Teles

Looking ahead, Queen's Cross Food Hall plans to launch a pick-up and delivery app, the first of its kind designed specifically for food halls. The app will cater to nearby office workers and businesses, particularly those in the office towers at the Eaton Centre itself, allowing them to combine items from various food stalls in a single order.

With its global flavours and inviting ambiance, this new dining destination will add a significant new fast-casual dining option when it opens tomorrow, offering a unique and accessible experience for hungry patrons.

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News Roundup for April 23, 2024

UrbanToronto Staff — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 09:31:00 -0400

Falling condo market drags down new home sales to record lows across the GTA; GO Transit set to change most bus schedules, several routes to see reductions; tens of thousands head to Toronto parks to take in the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms; and other news.

Falling condo market drags down new home sales to record lows across the GTA (The Star)

GO Transit set to change most bus schedules, several routes to see reductions (CityNews)

Tens of thousands head to Toronto parks to take in the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms (The Globe and Mail)

Toronto bolsters apartment inspection rules to combat bad landlords (CBC)

Dollars and cents: Ontario homelessness spend balloons as community housing craters (Global News)

Honda expected to announce multi-billion dollar deal to assemble EVs in Ontario: sources (CBC)

TTC shutting down subway between Davisville and York Mills this Saturday (The Star)

Shimmy

Craig White — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 06:00:00 -0400

With the rippling effect in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo of the actual exterior design, or in the uneven mirroring of multi-pane glass window wall, 252 Church and the reflection of 1 Dundas Street West respectively appear to shimmy as they rise near Yonge and Dundas streets in Downtown Toronto, bringing some rhythm and verve to the area.

252 Church and the reflection of 1 Dundas West both appear to shimmy as they rise near Yonge and Dundas, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor Rascacielo

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Ferris + Associates Merges with NAK Design Strategies, Reshaping the GTA Landscape

Anthony Teles — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 16:08:35 -0400

In a significant development for the urban landscape architecture sector, Ferris + Associates Inc., a company renowned for its contributions to Toronto's streetscapes and skyline, has announced its merger with NAK Design Strategies, a prominent North American landscape and urban design firm. With Ferris + Associates Inc. joining the NAK DS family, this strategic merger aims to invigorate the Greater Toronto Area's real estate sector, signalling a commitment to expansive growth and enhanced service delivery in high-density developments.

2575 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, designed by WZMH Architects and Ferris + Associates for Victoria Wood/Main Square LP

Founded in 1987, NAK Design Strategies has made a name for itself by crafting public spaces and master plans that elevate the aesthetic and functional aspects of urban areas while contributing to community well-being. Their notable projects include Lakeview Village, Palermo Village, and Caledon Station, each acting as separate showcases of their sustainability and innovative urban solutions.

Ferris + Associates Inc. brings over three decades of excellence in shaping Toronto's notable landscapes, including the National Trade Centre and the Rogers Centre. Their expertise in large-scale private developments and high-rise projects like the public park at M2M Condos and Main Square at 2575 Danforth Avenue has positioned them as leaders in landscape architecture.

An aerial view of the park at M2M Condos, image courtesy of Ferris + Associates

Silvano Tardella, founding Principal of NAK Design Strategies, established the firm with a clear vision to disrupt the industry by prioritizing the needs and well-being of clients and staff over self-promotion or a distinct stylistic identity. This client-centric approach has propelled NAK to become the largest landscape architecture firm in Canada.

NAK's vision of treating their team as family and their focus on people-first values resonated deeply with Ferris + Associates, making the merger a natural and promising progression. This partnership particularly aligns with the shifting market trends toward higher-density developments, an area where Ferris has excelled and which represents a significant growth trajectory in urban design.

Palermo Village, designed by Perkins&Will and NAK Design Strategies for Argo Developments

Paul Ferris, Principal of Ferris + Associates, views the merger with NAK as a pivotal opportunity for his team to expand their service offerings, enhance their capabilities, and extend their regional impact. The shared leadership philosophies and mutual respect between the two firms have set a solid foundation for a merger, building enthusiasm for a combined future. Ferris is particularly excited about the possibilities this partnership holds for advancing its influence and expertise in the landscape architecture sector.

The synergistic potential of this merger is vast, with both NAK Design Strategies and Ferris + Associates coming together with a rich portfolio of projects.

For NAK Design Strategies, Lakeview Village is poised to revitalize Mississauga’s waterfront by blending residential, commercial, and cultural spaces into a sustainable community. This project aims to reconnect the city with Lake Ontario through innovative design and diverse programming. Another village-inspired project, Palermo Village in Oakville is envisioned as a transit-oriented development that integrates a variety of housing types with retail, office space, and public amenities.

There is also the Caledon Station Transit-Oriented Community, a master-planned development in Bolton area of the Town of Caledon, integrating residential and commercial spaces with a proposed GO train service. Additionally, at 128 Grovewood Common in the picturesque Preserve neighbourhood of Oakville, Bower Condominiums exemplifies NAK Design Strategies' commitment to diversifying that town's residential offerings.

Bower Condos, landscape designed by NAK Design Strategies for Mattamy Homes

Ferris + Associates are also making notable contributions with projects like M2M Condos, under construction in North York, set to feature a new 6,000m² public park on the former Newtonbrook Plaza site. In Toronto's East End, a transformative redevelopment of Main Square at 2575 Danforth Avenue will densify the area with five buildings up to 55 storeys. Ferris is contributing to the site's layout, designing roads, walkways, and a central plaza area. Meanwhile, 7700 Keele is an ambitious mixed-use development poised to transform a key intersection in Vaughan, including an ensemble of eight buildings ranging from 6 to 60 storeys, with 3,000 units planned.

7700 Keele Street, designed by BDP Quadrangle and Ferris + Associates for Avenue 7 Developments Ltd

With shared values and mutual respect for one another’s leadership and design philosophies, NAK Design Strategies and Ferris + Associates Inc. are poised to make a significant impact on the urban landscape of the GTA and beyond. The two offices will continue to operate under their existing names.

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UrbanToronto Webinars: Building Sustainably — Industry and Individuals

UrbanToronto Staff — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 14:49:25 -0400

Join UrbanToronto this Wednesday, April 24 at 1 PM EDT for our latest Webinar. In celebration of Earth Month, UrbanToronto will examine the future of sustainable development in the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. Guests joining UrbanToronto's Research Analyst/Economist, Ash Navabi, and Managing Editor, Craig White, are Graeme Armster of Deltera and Geoff Cape of Assembly Corp.

Graeme Armster • Director Innovation & Sustainability, Tridel (Deltera Inc.)

Graeme is a mechanical engineer by trade and leads the Innovation & Sustainability team in developing and implementing new products and processes across Tridel’s portfolio. The team drives feasibility studies across the organization for new technology to support sustainability and cost reduction for the full development life cycle. Graeme has in depth experience implementing various green technologies to reduce carbon emissions including geothermal, VRF, integrated solar PV, district energy, and smart building technology. He works with project design teams in thoughtful material selection in an effort reduce embodied carbon. Graeme is a key stakeholder in the development and ongoing management of Tridel’s Corporate ESG Strategy, providing governance centered on identifying and minimize risks associated with the physical consequences of climate change and the transition to a lower-carbon economy.

Geoff Cape • CEO Assembly Corp, Assembly Corp

Geoff Cape is CEO of Assembly Corp, an industry leader in the delivery of sustainable, prefabricated mass-timber housing. For almost 35 years, Geoff has been at the forefront of advancing urban innovation and environmental sustainability across diverse platforms. He has been an author, public speaker, program designer, advisor, and builder who has helped instill a commitment to environmental issues in Canada while being a key advocate for sustainable cities, green infrastructure, and climate change resilience. Geoff is most well-known for starting Evergreen in 1991 as a national charity in Canada and transforming 42-acre Evergreen Brick Works into an internationally recognized centre of excellence. Selected in 2018 as a Member of the Order of Canada, Geoff has also been honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal in recognition of outstanding community contributions.

To register for this free event, please click here!

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