Hotel to Affordable and Supportive Housing Conversion

The City of Toronto purchased a former hotel with plans to convert the existing building to a range of permanent affordable and supportive housing. The pilot project serves as a blueprint to address the urgent need for shelter and sets the standard for Toronto’s Rapid Housing Initiative that will be rolled out over several years.

As the Architect of Record (AOR) providing full services, the project team worked on an expedited schedule and in a phased approach to accommodate the partially occupied building that continued to provide temporary shelter for the unhoused during construction.

The existing hotel suites will be converted to 283 apartments, with 15% meeting accessible standards under the Ontario Building Code targets. The 19-story building required a retrofit for energy efficiency including upgrades to the envelope, windows, and mechanical and electrical systems. Minimalist materials were used to support longevity and durability. Enhanced amenity spaces will add value for residential uses, while basement levels were revamped to feature meeting rooms, bike storage and a central laundry area. A rooftop patio will be added and serve as a holistic outdoor amenity. Longer term, facilities will be developed to offer mental health and counseling services.

From the outset, collaboration with the City of Toronto, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and our partners allowed for quick solutions and decision-making to support the most vulnerable residents. It was important to align design with purpose to manage the greatest use of space and functionality to maximize value and create measurable social impact.