Construction has officially begun on a 74-unit residential complex at 1113-1125 Dundas Street West. This initiative, supported by the federal government, marks the debut of Toronto's new public developer model.
Implementing the HousingTO plan via the public developer model
The new public developer model allows the City of Toronto to take a more direct role in land use and housing delivery. As reported by the source, CreateTO is using this approach to set specific housing targets and accelerate the approval process , rather than leaving these decisions entirely to private developers.
This project serves as a pillar of the broader HousingTO plan, which seeks to deliver 65,000 rent-controlled homes by 2030. This ambitious municipal target includes 41,000 affordable rental units, 6,500 rent-geared-to-income units, and 17,500 additional rent-controlled homes.
Sustainable mass timber and geothermal energy at Dundas and Manning
Sustainable design features define the new building at the Dundas and Manning intersection. The structure will utilize mass timber construction and geothermal energy systems to significantly reduce its environmental footprint.
A Canadian design and construction team is responsible for the Dundas Street West project. According to the report, Moriyama Teshima Architects and Montgomery Sisam Architects are providing the design, while Pomerleau Construction serves as the builder.. The site itself, which previously served as a City parking lot, is being transformed into residential space for the Trinity-Bellwoods neighborhood.
Prioritizing 17 affordable units and family-sized layouts
The building's layout prioritizes larger living spaces to accommodate famlies in the urban core. More than 40% of the 74 units will consist of two- and three-bedroom apartments, a departure from the typical focus on single-occupant studios in new developments.
Affordability is a core pillar of the development at 1113-1125 Dundas Street West. The project includes at least 17 units specifically designated as affordable housing, a move Mayor Olivia Chow noted is essential for ensuring those who work in Toronto can afford to live there.
The missing non-profit operator for the Dundas project
An operational detail remains unresolved regarding the long-term management of the new rental building.. The source notes that a non-profit housing provider has not yet been selected to operate the site once construction is complete.
The ultimate success of the Dundas Street project will serve as a test for Toronto's housing strategy. While CreateTO reports having more than 5,000 homes currently under construction on municipal land, it remains to be seen how many future projects will successfully utilize this specific public developer framework to meet city targets.
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