This Vibrant Mixed-Income Community Boasts High-Quality Design and Sustainability Features

POSTED: MAY 30, 2014
BY: ANDREW GOODYEAR – SENIOR DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, TORONTO COMMUNITY HOUSING

This summer, residents will begin moving into three new buildings in the West Don Lands, constructed by Toronto Community Housing on former industrial lands. Two four-storey buildings, containing a total of 115 one-, two- and three-bedroom affordable rental units, are designed for a mix of families and individuals. The third building, an eight storey mid-rise on King Street East with 128 affordable rental units, is reserved for seniors. These buildings reflect two of Toronto Community Housing’s priorities: 

• providing quality homes that are clean, safe and in good repair, and
• fostering vibrant communities that are safe, healthy and liveable.

Three new buildings in the West Don Lands provide affordable one-, two- and three-bedroom rental units for individuals, families and seniors. (Image courtesy of Toronto Community Housing).

The ongoing construction of the 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Athletes’ Village, the completion of several market condominiums and the installation of Corktown Common and Underpass Park are rapidly changing the West Don Lands into a dynamic and desirable mixed-use neighbourhood. Toronto Community Housing is proud to contribute to the development of the West Don Lands into a successful, mixed-income, mixed-use neighbourhood.

Affordable and accessible housing fosters diversity, one of Toronto’s greatest strengths. It permits single-parent households, newcomers to Canada, seniors and moderate income families who might be unable to afford the high cost of many downtown rentals, to live centrally near education, employment, cultural amenities and key services.

Toronto Community Housing, much like Waterfront Toronto, is committed to design excellence. As we have done in many of our communities, we have constructed attractive buildings in the West Don Lands that complement the high-quality architecture throughout the neighbourhood.  This commitment to quality design was recognized by Christopher Hume of the Toronto Star, who gave the development an A grade [LINK] commenting: “Simple but thoughtful, modest yet mature, these buildings make all the right moves, and even better, they do so effortlessly.”

Toronto Community Housing’s West Don Lands development also places a strong emphasis on the environment. As in all our recent buildings, many sustainable features have been incorporated into the design, including a high-performance building envelope, high-efficiency building systems, low-flow plumbing fixtures, ENERGY STAR appliances and green roofs. We expect these features will yield significant energy savings over the life of the buildings. In addition, a three-chute waste system will contribute to the City of Toronto’s waste diversion goals.

The West Don Lands is undergoing an amazing urban transformation from an industrial precinct to a liveable, sustainable and people-focused community. Toronto Community Housing is proud to be a partner in the neighbourhood’s continuing growth.