The cluster of buildings located southeast corner of Niagara and Tecumseth were built in the 1880s and are protected under the Ontario Heritage Act. The redevelopment of the site will include the preservation and restoration of the heritage elements.
Existing architectural features (including the chimney at Kiln Extension) to remain in situ and be integrated into new design.
Existing carriageways along Niagara Street were integrated as covered pedestrian pathways/connectors, increasing block permeability and providing access to interior courtyard and Phase 1 buildings from Niagara Street.
Two condominium towers of 12 and 14 storeys and connected by a five storey podium with six ground floor commercial/office units and 367 live-work residential units will also be added. There are also 21 affordable and mid-range rental housing units included in the development.
Indoor amenity spaces can be found in both of the towers and heritage element while a 6th floor outdoor amenity connects both towers to take advantage of views towards heritage assembly and to allow for southern exposure with view to the downtown core, Historic Fort York, and Lake Ontario.
At ground level there is a shared courtyard and playground. The development will also include 80 existing live-work artist studios.
Heritage assembly strategy changed from complete preservation of existing interior floors and walls to new interior structure and floors to allow for flexibility of design, improve size and quality of residential units within building, provide connections between all buildings, and ensure all new exit stairs and elevating devices constructed to current building codes.
The level 5 volume over heritage building will be set back from building edges to allow minimize visual impact relative to heritage assembly. Setbacks allow for provision of large terraces for penthouse units.
