After half a dozen changes to plans which started back in 2016, redevelopment of a block in downtown Toronto is potentially moving forward, now as two projects.
The site in question is located in Toronto’s Moss Park area. In May, the lot was severed by ONE Properties and its eastern half sold to Tricon Residential. The western half, still owned by ONE, is proceeding with a design from Graziani + Corazza Architects for a 25-story residential building with 446 units. At 97 meters, 348 Richmond Street East will hold condos, office, retail, rental, and public space uses.
On the eastern portion of the original site, a Hariri Pontarini-designed project for Tricon includes 824 rental units. Reaching to 33 stories at 113 meters, 261 Queen East will house condos, office, retail, and public space uses.
The site first saw a development proposal in 2016, with a 45-story three-tower design by Arquitectonica with a total of 1,645 residential units, which was denied due to unsatisfactory heritage strategy. A new proposal was submitted in 2017, adding heights up to 56 stories, as well as a hotel, with heritage facades retained. The project stalled and was redesigned in 2018, with heights reduced to 37 stories, more heritage façade retention, and the addition of a public park. In August 2018, a settlement was agreed to between the developers and the City and ratified by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, with maximum heights of 33 stories for 245 Queen Street East. Then in May of 2021 the lot was split, and the eastern half sold to Tricon.
With both proposals fitting within the guidelines established under the 2018 agreement, the plans are potentially now in a position to move forward.
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