Isabella Street is one of the quieter residential sections of downtown Toronto, running between Yonge Street and Sherbourne Street into the St. James Town neighborhood. With walking distance to several TTC stations, older homes and mid-size apartments are beginning to give way to a new wave of taller apartment buildings. The projects under development reach amazing heights compared to existing projects. One of the tallest is a 69-story tower recently planned at 135 Isabella Street.
Looking southwest at 135 Isabella Street designed by BDP Quadrangle for KingSett Capital
Developer KingSett Capital has submitted zoning amendment and site plan applications for a high-rise building in a location within walking distance of famous city attractions including the Toronto Reference Library and Allan Gardens. The approximately 2,385 sqm rectangular lot is located on the south side of Isabella Street between Jarvis and Sherbourne streets. There is currently a 9-storey rental building from the 1960s, the residents of which were to receive rented apartments in the new building for the first time.
Looking south towards the residential building currently on the site. The image is from Google Street View
Located just 360m from Sherbourne tube station and around 10 minutes’ walk from both Wellesley and Bloor-Yonge train stations, the proposal justifies its height and density by its location in a recently designated mainline railway station area. Downtown East has a number of new developments of around 50 stories in nearby blocks, with a dozen more either planned or under construction within just 200m of the property.
Looking southeast at 135 Isabella Street designed by BDP Quadrangle for KingSett Capital
The BDP Quadrangle design envisages a height of 234.97 m with a total gross floor area of approximately 52,547 m². At the base, a 6- and 8-story podium would frame Isabella Street and provide public space improvements such as an extended sidewalk, approximately 4,000 sq ft of public parkland, and POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly Accessible Space) along the west side approximately 4,000 sq ft .635m².
South facing public area designed by BDP Quadrangle for KingSett Capital
The tower would house 770 residential units, including 80 replacement units for the existing apartment building. With six proposed elevators, the site would exceed the threshold of one elevator per 100 units, with each elevator serving approximately 128 units, suggesting potentially long wait times.
Looking Southeast: 135 Isabella Street, designed by BDP Quadrangle for KingSett Capital
For residents, the design envisages 2,695 m of floor space, including 1,155 m of outdoor facilities intended for the second floor and for the three soffits on levels 9, 25 and 45 of the tower.
An aerial view of the site and surrounding area, image from Google Maps
The proposal includes two levels of underground parking with 32 spaces, each equipped with an electric vehicle charging station. Of this, 23 parking spaces would be reserved for the replacement units, while no visitor parking is provided, underscoring the focus on proximity to public transport. In addition, 857 bicycle parking spaces are planned, 154 of which are short-term parking spaces.
Elevation map of proposed and under construction buildings around site, image from City of Toronto filing
In addition to being close to several TTC tube stations, the location also has easy access to bike lanes at Wellesley Street East, Sherbourne Street and Bloor Street East. There are also two Toronto Bike Share stations within walking distance and ten publicly accessible bike parking spaces in front of the proposed POPS are included in the proposal.
The location plan for 135 Isabella Street designed by BDP Quadrangle for KingSett Capital
With an expanded public space and a focus on public transportation rather than vehicles, KingSett’s proposal for 135 Isabella Street aims to use its site as another step in the development of this old Toronto neighborhood.
UrbanToronto will continue to monitor the progress of this development, but in the meantime you can learn more from our database file linked below. If you wish, you can join the discussion in the dedicated project forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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