The Residences at the Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI) is Toronto’s first car-free project, a mixed-use development located on University Avenue, an environmentally progressive building, especially from an urban design and transportation planning perspective. A nodal mixed-use development on University Avenue, it is located within a five-minute walk to two subway stations and two streetcar lines—and exchanges private parking for nine car-share rental spots, a bicycle spot for every unit and public transit at its front door. Visible from landmark Toronto spots, this 42-storey, mixed-use project preserves institutional heritage along one of Canada’s widest boulevards while responding to today’s needs for downtown living.
The first six storeys of the design rebuild the historic façade of the RCMI, originally constructed in 1907 and re-clad over the years. Stone and glass walls wrap around the building’s base, creating a unique identity for the private institution and club. A 15,000-volume library houses historically significant books that detail Canada’s military history, and a museum displays the Institute’s extensive collections, including guns collected from the War of 1812, Billy Bishop's medals and the Red Baron’s seat from the Fokker triplane that was shot down by Canadian Captain Arthur Roy Brown in 1918. A slender 318-unit residential tower rises above the podium. Alternating panes of dark grey, black and white glass clad the north façade. Facing east and west, the metal clad structure, contrasted against the white and grey planes, emphasizes verticality and provides definition against the skyline. The strong horizontals of the glass balconies along the south elevation counterpoint the overall design.
Aside from its approach to transit and carpooling, the design exceeds sustainable measures required by local standards and its targeted LEED certification, from decisions about passive energy strategies, healthy material and building system choices, rainwater harvesting and a green roof, to construction waste disposal.
The architecture exceeded all cultural, recreational and development expectations, along with city building and sustainable transportation goals. It will be remembered as a daring approach to mixed-use design while contributing to major city vistas. As fuel becomes less affordable, more urban projects will explore this approach.
