Plans for the redevelopment of a block on the east side of Downtown Toronto with several years of planning history have evolved again. What was previously a single development has become two after the lot was severed by ONE Properties and its eastern half sold to Tricon Residential. New renderings of both proposals hint at what we can expect when plans are ultimately translated into reality. The site is located in Toronto’s Moss Park area on the south side of Queen Street East and east of McFarrens Lane, initially an assembly of all of the properties continuing east to Ontario Street and south to Richmond Street East. The site first saw a development proposal in 2016, in the form of a dramatic three tower scheme designed by Arquitectonica with a total of 1,645 residential units. But with heights of up to 45 storeys (160 meters), in a neighborhood characterized by low- and mid-rise development, the scheme was rejected by City Planning, while the Design Review Panel (DRP) voted unanimously for a redesign, citing an unsatisfactory heritage strategy among other issues. After the 2017 announcement that a relief-line station would likely be built steps away at Queen and Sherbourne, the proposal was resubmitted with the three tower heights increased to 47, 52 and 56 storeys (at 174, 188, and 201 meters respectively) and the number of residential units jumping to 1,820. A 150 room hotel was also added. To address the concerns of the DRP, a greater number of heritage facades were retained as part of the updated plan. Owing to a lack of a decision on the part of the City, in early 2018 the application was appealed to the OMB. Planning for the site, however, continued to evolve, and in mid-2018 a completely redesigned project was presented to a community workshop. With both proposals fitting within the guidelines established under the 2018 agreement, the plans are now in a position to move forward. 

Project Summary by Arquitectonica

Overview

• Residential, 16,798 ft² (1,560 m²), Height 100 ft (30 m), 300 units