Sherbourne Street Seniors’ Affordable Housing
Toronto, Canada
2021 –
Toronto, (ON) Canada
Project start: 2021
Completion due: 2027
Status: ongoing, tendered
Gross floor area: 959m²
Client: Toronto Community Housing
Architect: AXIA Design Associates
Project team: Chris Wong, Taymoore Balbaa, Michael Good, Leisdania Reynoso, Justine Houseley, Neil Jo, Lee Chen
Structural engineer: Moses Structural Engineers
Mechanical engineer: HJ Consulting Engineering
Electrical engineer: Ultimate Design Engineering
Civil Engineers: CivilGo
Arborist: Kurtz Forestry Inc
Heritage architect: +VG Architects
Visualization: Eric Reid
The renovation and expansion of 237 Sherbourne Street is a significant adaptive reuse project within the shell of a nineteenth-century duplex mansion, in Toronto Community Housing’s portfolio. AXIA’s thoughtful design has yielded eleven purpose-built, one-bedroom rental suites for seniors and two new amenity rooms. The warmth of brick, high ceilings, and heritage elements, complemented by a refreshed material palette, result in dignified living spaces and high-quality infill housing, within a well established and tight-knit community of properties largely under Toronto Community Housing’s umbrella.
1. 310 Dundas Main entrance 2. Lower Cortyard 3. Upper Courtyard 4. 237 Sherbourne Entry Ramp 5. Main Entry & Vestibule 7. Exit Stairs
8. Tenant Suite Room 9. Tenant Amenity 10. Suite Terrace
A variety of stakeholders needed to be consulted and engaged throughout the design process, ranging from tenant groups, accessibility spokespeople, construction teams, and Toronto Community Housing staff. That the house is situated within a Heritage Conservation District and is considered to impact Sherbourne Street’s historical character added another level of complexity to this project. Heritage concerns with respect to preserving the façade had to be respected. As well, substantial design considerations were made to meet the needs of the elderly occupants and the new, enhanced accessibility standards of Toronto Community Housing. This can be seen in the design of the entrance sequence, characterized by low angled slopes, generous landings and accessible pathways.
