19- and 39-Storey Towers Proposed as Part of Regent Park Phase 4

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19- and 39-Storey Towers Proposed as Part of Regent Park Phase 4

The ongoing revitalization of Regent Park continues to transform the neighborhood on the east side of downtown Toronto. Demolition work is currently underway to clear the site for Buildings 4B and 4C, which will have 19 and 39 floors respectively. Designed by gh3 for Tridel, Deltera and Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), the towers are part of Phases 4 and 5, the final two phases of the area's two-decade redevelopment that will include over a dozen additional buildings.

Looking south at Regent Park Buildings 4B and 4C, designed by gh3 for Tridel, Deltera and Toronto Community Housing Corporation

The entire Phase 4-5 site is located at 325 Gerrard Street East and covers approximately 6.5 acres. Currently, the site's low-rise buildings, originally operated by TCHC, are being demolished, with several buildings, including buildings west of Sackville Street and a pool changing facility on Oak Street, being actively removed. The surrounding neighborhood features a mix of mid- and high-rise residential buildings, as well as community spaces, retail stores and parks.

An aerial view of ongoing demolition at the site for Phases 4 and 5, image by hawc, UrbanToronto Forum contributor

An aerial view of the demolished buildings on the Phase 4 and 5 site, image by hawc, UrbanToronto Forum contributor

The revitalization of Regent Park began in 2002 as a joint effort between TCHC and the City of Toronto to rehabilitate the aging public housing community built in the 1940s and 1950s. Phases 1 through 3 of the 28-acre site, built in partnership with The Daniels Corporation, are largely complete, while Phases 4 and 5 represent the final phases, with a zoning ordinance change approved in 2023 to allow for its redevelopment to enable blocks in collaboration with Tridel. This latest application updates the design of Units 4B and 5C and includes engineering adjustments for Toronto Water infrastructure setbacks. The buildings will provide both market-rate and affordable housing.

Previous conceptual design for Building 4C designed by gh3 for Tridel, Deltara and Toronto Community Housing Corporation

Bousfields has submitted a zoning bylaw amendment application to the City of Toronto for two buildings measuring 67.86m and 128.96m in height.

The 19-storey building in Block 4B would have 367 residential units, an increase from the original 12 storeys and 269 units, as well as 802 sqm of retail space. The total gross floor area (GFA) of the building is planned at 29,187 m², which corresponds to a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 6.49.

The plans for Block 4C remain at 11 and 39 storeys, with a significant increase in units from 462 to 550. The total GFA for Block 4C is 39,187 sqm and is entirely residential, corresponding to an FSI of 10.68. The massing of both blocks has been adjusted to allow for additional living space, with the 11-storey mid-rise section of Block 4C now directly connected to the tower.

Site plan designed by gh3 for Tridel, Deltara and Toronto Community Housing Corporation

The development would include two levels of underground parking with 305 vehicle parking spaces for residents, as well as 12 visitor spaces and eight commercial spaces. Bicycle parking would include 930 long-term and 296 short-term spaces, as well as eight retail spaces.

The 19-story tower would be served by four elevators, about one for every 92 units, meaning minimal wait times. Meanwhile, the 39-story tower would have five elevators, about one for every 138 units, suggesting longer-than-desirable wait times.

Ground floor plan designed by gh3 for Tridel, Deltara and Toronto Community Housing Corporation

There would be a POPS (Privately-Owned Publicly-Accessible Space) on the site between the two buildings, providing a shared outdoor space for community use. Both buildings would offer residents 1,360 m² of indoor space and 928 m² of outdoor space.

Looking southwest at Regent Park Buildings 4B and 4C, designed by gh3 for Tridel, Deltera and Toronto Community Housing Corporation

It should be noted that Block 5C is also included in the proposal; However, TCHC has not yet completed adaptations to its building to accommodate setbacks in Toronto Water's infrastructure. Therefore, revised architectural plans were not included in the submission.

Blocks 4 and 5, image from submission to the City of Toronto

The site is served by the 506 Carlton tram, which runs along Gerrard Street. Going forward, the site will benefit from its proximity to the upcoming Ontario Line 3's Moss Park station, located just a 20-minute walk southwest of the site.

An aerial view looking southeast of Regent Park Phases 4 and 5 designed by Karakusevic Carson Architects for Tridel, Deltera and Toronto Community Housing Corporation

There are other projects and proposals in the region. To the northwest of the property, 306 Gerrard Street East is planned to be 10 stories high. As part of the Regent Park revitalization, Block 16 North is almost complete at 15 storeys to the southeast, and to the west, Daniels on Parliament, the final Phase 3 project, is being expanded to 10 and 25 storeys. Further west, the 18-story 307 Sherbourne Street and the 21-story Hoem Sherbourne are under construction. To the east of Phases 4 and 5, Oak Heights is planned to be 32 stories high. Thirteen buildings are planned in phases 4 and 5, with the tallest six towers having between 22 and 39 floors.

UrbanToronto will continue to monitor the progress of this development, but in the meantime you can learn more in our database file linked below. If you'd like, you can join the discussion in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the designated area on this page.

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