FIVE, a residential development in downtown Toronto off Yonge Street and south of Bloor Street, combines traditional urban industrial architecture and contemporary design. The 458,000 square foot project restores a 1905 Gothic Revival brick warehouse at the corner of St. Joseph and St. Nicholas Streets, adding newly configured windows, roofs and storefronts. This refurbished historic façade—the largest retention of its kind ever undertaken inToronto—serves as the entrance archway, and contrasts the 46 storey residential tower above. The heritage preservation efforts include restoring nearly half a block of historically significant buildings on Yonge Street, as well as retaining the original paving stones along St. Nicholas.
The elegant tower features contiguous glass curves and undulating balconies, and a 6,000 square foot outdoor roof garden. To activate the St. Nicholas Street laneway and encourage a pedestrian thoroughfare, new façades inspired by the former buildings will include space for retail uses. The project has already received two BILD Awards in 2011: Project of the Year – High-Rise, and Best Building Design.
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