High Park offers a reprieve from the city, all while still being in it. The surrounding land is limited, but prime for development. Now, a new player in Toronto's development scene, Fairway Developments, has submitted Zoning By-law Amendment and Site Plan Approval applications for a mixed-use building on a small parcel of land just northeast of High Park. The proposed building is just steps away from Keele Station on Bloor Line 2.

Looking northeast to 1728 Bloor West, designed by Gabriel Fain Architects Inc for 1728 Bloor West Dev Inc

The site of 1728 Bloor West on the northeast corner of Bloor and Indian Grove is currently home to a single-storey Tim Hortons and its surface parking lot, and is a relatively small rectangular space of 455.7m². It is merely 100m away from Keele Station, giving ease of access to Downtown, and is also a short walk from High Park, providing residents a quick escape into nature.

An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from submission to City of Toronto

The design by Gabriel Fain Architects Inc fills the site's small square footage with a 19-storey condominium standing 67.6m. The Tim Hortons would be demolished to bring 99 new residential units to the neighbourhood. With 2 elevators, this would result in a very good ratio of 1 elevator for every 49.5 units.

The structure would utilize three distinct visual elements: the base element of floors one and two, podium element up to floor nine, and finally a tower element. Level nine would be a reveal floor to provide separation, and windows would change from element to element to create distinct grid patterns for each. The proposal calls for a similar materiality to the brick buildings surrounding it, with no windows on the east wall facing away from High Park and towards the neighbouring building, save for a small inset.

Looking north across Bloor Street to the site, image retrieved from Google Street View

Residents and visitors would access the lobby from the sidewalk on Bloor, beside which there would also be an entrance to a retail unit with a retail gross floor area of 87m². Moving upwards, the design calls for indoor and outdoor amenities on the second floor, for a total amenity space of 319m². The proposal features a consistent residential floor plate above the amenities, with six units per floor on floors three to eight and 10 to 17, and five units on floors nine, 18, and 19.

Looking northeast above Bloor Street with the site outlined, image from submission to City of Toronto

Drivers would access the underground parking via Indian Grove. Featuring an automated stacker system with a car elevator, it would accommodate 14 parking spaces. No visitor parking is designated, with the submission noting the site’s proximity to Keele Station. For cyclists, there would be 120 bicycle parking spots in the underground levels, including 20 for short-term use. Residents will find numerous bike trails in and around High Park, and direct access to Bloor's separated bike lanes running east and west.

The automated parking stacker system utilizing the small square footage of the parking garage, image from submission to City of Toronto

The site is also within walking distance of Bloor GO Station to the east, which is also served by UP Express, and therefore gives quick access to both the airport and the downtown core.

The proposal would strive to utilize its limited space to provide residents with a prime location to embrace the "city within a park.

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.

* * *

UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.

Related Companies:  WND Associates Ltd