This beautiful, deep, property abutting a small ravine  was destined for re-development.

Situated on a main arterial road in midtown Toronto, the location was well-suited to transition from a decades-old car-wash to a multi-storeyed residential condominium tower.

Together with the client, SGA studied the possibility of developing a stepped 18-storey condo tower, with attention paid to very stringent sun-envelope requirements, the relationship to the street, the relationship to the creek's ravine, and the demographics and demand of the area.

To provide for drop-off and a humble relationship with the sidewalk and pedestrians, the ground floor lobby is set back to be in-line with the existing car-wash facade. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors above the sidewalk are supported on a single massive stone-clad column, further reducing the building's impact at street level. The building steps back from the front property line as the storeys rise. The rear of the building, facing the ravine, also steps back as it rises in storeys.

On the front pod of the condo, at the eighth floor, there is a large exercise room and spa, above which, on the roof, is a lovely landscaped terrace, with some all-weather retractable-glass-roof capabilities, a kitchen and bar, a swimming pool, and all-season exterior radiant heading.

Part of the pool walls are made of glass so that swimmers are visible within the exercise room, and visa versa. The location of the pool and exercise room maximizes the benefit of southern and afternoon sun, and also allows for terrace-goers the opportunity to people-watch on the urban street below, and enjoy the great view toward downtown Toronto's skyline.

A central elevator shaft separates the west and east building masses. The central elevator shaft rises the full height of the building, and is clad in translucent alabaster stone, which is backlit, thereby providing a beautiful, warm, ochre, cream,  and umber glow at night.

Atop the rear pod of the building is another rooftop garden, a LEED-compliant green roof. It draws fabulous morning and afternoon light, and faces the ravine and the heavy tree canopy.

The project will not be continued as the property has been sold. It will remain a car-wash for the foreseeable future, though the new owners have introduced a floral shop.

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