Toronto-based developer Artlife Developments recently submitted plans to redevelop semi-vacant lands along Woodbine Avenue with a 12-storey mixed-use residential building offering 137 freehold apartment units.
The application includes an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment, filed in mid March, that seeks to change the existing land use from Neighbourhoods to Apartment Neighbourhoods. Currently, height allowance on the site is limited to four storeys, thus Artlife is looking to get zoning approval to build its 12-storey project.
Located at 419-425 Woodbine Avenue, the development site sits on the east side of Woodbine, just south of Kingston Road in The Beaches. Surrounding the site are largely low-rise single-family homes and townhomes, in addition to low-rise and mid-rise apartment buildings father north, some with mixed commercial uses.
After multiple meetings with City staff, Artlife revised the initial plans, implementing a larger setback, relocating the driveway, and including an Official Plan Amendment request in the application to tackle larger required changes.
Finalized plans envision a dynamic building designed by KFA Architects and Planners, and the firm's renderings depict a contemporary tiered structure with a four-storey base and a "variety of interchanging step-backs and terraces at upper levels to reduce the apparent height from street level," according to the planning rationale.
The building would take on a 'U ' shape with a 2,152-sq.-ft rectangular outdoor amenity courtyard in the middle of the development, the residential entrance on the building's west facade on Woodbine Avenue, and the commercial space entrance located on the northwest facade, also on Woodbine Avenue.
At grade would be 1,596 sq. ft of amenity space split into three separate rooms and a modest 714 sq. ft of retail space, which Artlife says will create "a vibrant, pedestrian-friendly streetscape."
Additionally, there would be another 1,313 sq. ft f indoor amenity space on the 12th floor, alongside a 2,152-sq.-ft rooftop terrace on the 10th floor.
In total, the development would offer 137 apartment units, which are to be divided into two studio units, 67 one-bedrooms, 16 one-bedrooms with a den, 20 two-bedrooms, five two-bedroom with a den, and 16 three-bedrooms, as well as 11 rental replacement units. As well, residents would have access to 124 parking spaces across two levels of underground parking and 152 bicycle parking spaces.
If approved, the sleek project would deliver a much-needed increase in housing density in a region of the city currently lacking in that department. As well, the building would be well-served by transit, being in close proximity to Woodbine subway station, Danforth GO, and other bus and streetcar transit stops.
419-425 Woodbine Avenue/KFA Architects and Planners
419-425 Woodbine Avenue/KFA Architects and Planners
419-425 Woodbine Avenue/KFA Architects and Planners
