191-201 Sherbourne is a purpose-built rental high-rise that combines a playful yet purposeful design philosophy. Located in Moss Park, a historically challenged neighborhood in downtown Toronto, 191-201 Sherbourne aims to densify the existing infill through an ironic vernacular architecture. Our client Fitzrovia is Canada’s largest purpose-built rental developer, and they prioritize investing in community-oriented design. 191-201 Sherbourne ensures a blend of affordability and practicality. It answers the question our client asks us: “Can rental be beautiful?”

Featuring two beautifully stacked 47 and 49-storey forms, the colorful volumes are adjacent to two existing brutalist apartment buildings built in the 1970s. The towers collectively provide 813 additional rental units, amounting to a total of 97,000 square-metres of residential space. At the ground level, the development offers retail and collective spaces, fostering a sense of community and accessibility. Situated on the 17th floor atop one of the brutalist apartment buildings is a whimsical sky bridge that creates a large 1,540 square-meter outdoor amenity space for residents.

The design for 191-201 Sherbourne is an embodiment of irony and play. The stacked forms flip traditional guidelines on their head, freeing the ground plane. It emulates the joy of stacking blocks into the sky, where the incorporation of vibrant color enliven the otherwise serious architectural context.

The tower facades are a collage of vivid, colorful, and dynamic neo-post-modern grids. This design not only informs but also contrasts with the concrete weight of the existing brutalist structures, bringing a spirited and humorous intrigue to the neighborhood. The project is a testament to how architecture can transform an urban space, injecting life, color, and playfulness into the city fabric, while still adhering to practical needs and urban guidelines.