Posted: January 26, 2021
The area around Yonge Street and Church Street may soon be home to an architecturally unique flatiron building.
Toronto is getting a new flatiron building proposed to be developed at the edge of Yorkville near the corner of Park Road and Church Street northeast of Yonge and Bloor. Capital Developments, the team behind the proposal, filed an application with the city on Nov. 27.
The development, with 200,000 square feet of gross floor space, would include 300 residential units and a small amount of retail space. The site does not include any parking spaces.
“The building seeks to maximize green transportation and encourage wellness,” said Carlo Timpano, senior vice-president of development at Capital Developments.
“Given the site’s exceptional walkability, bike-ability, and proximity to the most prominent subway station in the city, the proposal includes the provision for zero vehicular parking and instead provides three at-grade car share spaces located within the building footprint.”
Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. is behind the unique design of the 30-story tower that is reminiscent of a flatiron building, such as Toronto’s historic Gooderham Building in the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood, except this one is curved.
It could be that Toronto is seeing something of a flatiron revival in the city, as another condo tower with a nod to this historic style is slated for the Galleria mall redevelopment project.
The development’s planning rationale submitted alongside the application notes that it capitalizes on the unique shape of the almost triangular lot and the layout and massing of the building allow for a transition in height from the super tall buildings to the west and south to the mid-rise and low-rise buildings to the east.
“All four facades of the building respond in different ways to the surrounding streets and adjacent buildings,” notes the planning rationale.
“The development and provision of a wide range of units will lead to greater density in an area that is walkable and well-served by the existing office and retail spaces as well as public amenities.”
The application is currently circulating to various city divisions for feedback, after which a preliminary report will come before Toronto and East York Community Council prior to eventually making its way to the city council for a decision.
