Toronto’s downtown core is known for its array of sky-scraping towers, and yet another could soon join the mix.
In late November, Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendments and Site Plan Control Applications were submitted to the City of Toronto on behalf of 462226 Ontario Limited, proposing a 60-storey residential tower with a nine-storey podium for 295 Jarvis Street. At its highest point, the tower would extend 208.65 metres to the top of the mechanical penthouse.
Located on the east side of Jarvis, down the street from Toronto Metropolitan University, the subject site is currently occupied by a three-and-a-half-storey rooming house, known as the Inglewood Arms. The proposed development stands to better utilize the location, in keeping with the City’s efforts to densify the downtown core and better serve the housing needs of its growing population.
If approved, the development is expected to contain a total of 44,530 sq. m of gross floor area and 618 residential units -- a mix of 54 studio units, 409 one-bedrooms, 93 two-bedrooms, and 62 three-bedrooms. “Adaptable design measures” will be used to ensure smaller units can be converted into two- or three-bedrooms if the need arises.
IBI Group
In addition, 1,560 sq. m of residential amenity space is proposed, including 927 sq. m of indoor space and 633 sq. m of outdoor space. The amenity spaces are slated for floors 2, 3, and 10 -- however, “the precise programming of the amenity spaces will be refined during the application review process,” according to the planning rationale.
295 Jarvis Street is proximate to Dundas and College subway stations, as well as the forthcoming Moss Park station on the Ontario Line. As such, the proposed development is expected to “help reduce automobile dependency through the provision of new housing in a transit-supportive location.”
In addition, the proposed development will introduce high-quality landscaping and hardscaping materials and new street furniture, including bike rings, serving to revitalize the public realm along Jarvis Street and supporting the goals of the Downtown Plan and the Downtown Parks and Public Realm Plan.
