Articles from Urban Toronto

Construction has commenced at 777 Victoria Park Avenue, transforming a former TTC commuter lot into a mixed-use, transit-oriented rental community with 705 homes. The development, supported by multiple federal and municipal partners, includes 256 affordable units and aims to contribute to Toronto's HousingTO 2020–2030 Action Plan. The project is backed by significant federal investment, highlighting a commitment to creating more affordable housing. It also integrates community amenities and sustainable energy systems to enhance the surrounding area.

The article covers a tour of SkyTower at Pinnacle One Yonge, Canada's future tallest building in Toronto, set to rise to 106 stories. Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects for Pinnacle International, the tower will include over 950 condominium suites, retail spaces, a pedestrian connection, and a 220-room Meridien hotel. The SkyTower is currently under construction with concrete poured up to the 92nd floor, and it is expected to top off in early 2026. The tower features advanced construction techniques like continuous concrete pumping and self-climbing systems.

The article discusses measures the Canadian government could adopt to bolster its struggling housing market, setting a target to build 500,000 new homes annually. It highlights regional disparities from Atlantic Canada to British Columbia and Ontario, where the real estate market is particularly challenged. Key recommendations include eliminating the HST/GST on new homes for 36 months, reducing interest rates, and lowering land transfer taxes. The article suggests these actions could reduce home prices by 20% to 30%, stimulate projects, and avoid future supply shortages.

CreateTO has submitted updated plans for a two-building rental community in Toronto’s Greenwood-Coxwell neighborhood, comprising a 6-storey mid-rise and an 18-storey tower. The project will provide 328 rental units, including 133 affordable units, as part of the city’s Housing Now initiative. The revised proposal includes site improvements such as increased bike storage and enhanced pedestrian access. Public consultation and city approvals are ongoing for this development.

Leslie Barns is a new facility in Toronto where TTC streetcars are maintained and sheltered overnight. The building, located at the corner of Leslie and Lake Shore Boulevard, hosts several Bombardier Flexity Outlook trainsets. The facility is notable for its use in urban transit rather than for traditional agricultural purposes. This article also highlights UrbanToronto’s services related to tracking and analyzing construction projects in the Greater Golden Horseshoe area.

The City of Toronto has commenced the construction of its first affordable housing development using the Public Developer model at 11 Brock Avenue. This project, designed by SvN, will be a four-storey mass timber building featuring 42 rent-geared-to-income units for individuals at risk of homelessness. Managed by the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre, the development is backed by federal funding and forms part of a wider strategy to provide 18,000 supportive homes by 2030. Completion is scheduled for Fall 2026.

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat held its annual conference in Toronto and announced a rebranding to the Council on Vertical Urbanism. A highlight of the event was the ongoing construction of Pinnacle One Yonge's SkyTower, which is set to become Canada's tallest building at over 90 storeys. The conference concluded at the Westin Harbour Castle Conference Centre. UrbanToronto's services provide comprehensive data on construction projects across the Greater Golden Horseshoe region.

Graywood Developments has acquired a site at 34 Montgomery Avenue in Midtown Toronto, previously approved for a 24-storey tower, from First Capital REIT. They plan to build a 27-storey residential building designed by Turner Fleischer Architects, featuring 335 rental units with 10 designated as affordable housing. This project involves transitioning the area from low-rise to high-rise developments, aligning with urban development trends and the city's emphasis on increasing rental supply near transit hubs.

In Toronto, a new 37-storey rental housing project, The Dennis, has commenced in the Mount Dennis neighborhood, bolstered by collaborations and financial incentives from the city. The project, supported by the Purpose-Built Rental Housing Incentives stream, aims to deliver 448 rental homes, including 89 affordable units. This initiative is part of a broader city strategy to address housing challenges, with plans to complete over 44 projects creating more than 10,000 homes. Average rental rates in the city have recently declined, although affordability remains a significant issue for many families.

Changes to the Ontario Building Code and Toronto Green Standard are increasing the focus on thermal performance, highlighting balcony connections as critical in reducing heat loss. Companies like Sapphire Balconies are advancing 'thermally broken' systems to address these standards. The Ontario Building Code and TGS aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improved balcony systems can help developers meet rigorous efficiency benchmarks and qualify for incentives. Sapphire is leading innovations with their thermally efficient prefabricated balconies and transparent Environmental Product Declarations.

The rivalry between Toronto and Chicago over skyscraper development is reaching new heights as both cities have significantly evolved their skylines. While Chicago leads with 140 completed skyscrapers, Toronto is rapidly catching up with 108 completed and many more under construction or proposed. Toronto's skyline is driven by a construction boom fueled by population growth and urban development controls, potentially surpassing Chicago's count soon. The international conference on tall buildings in Toronto highlights these developments in the context of evolving cityscapes.

Menkes Developments has revised its plans for 61 Brownlow Avenue in Toronto’s Davisville Village, proposing two mixed-use towers of 55 and 60 storeys, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects. The site will include a purpose-built rental building and condominium units, totaling 1,409 homes. Demolition permits are approved, and construction will unfold in two phases, with a new mid-block pedestrian connection and parkland proposed. The development is positioned near the upcoming Mount Pleasant station on Eglinton Line 5.