Broadview Terraces

Broadview Terraces, located not far from the busy intersection of Gerrard and Broadview, brings together three distinct addresses in a complex, mixed-use, technical renovation. Two existing structures that were previously commercial offices, have now been combined to make 11 generously sized one-bedroom, market-value rental suites, with two retail locations at grade. All rear facing units at these two addresses have access to a cascading series of private terraces, with views to the nearby park and valley. The third structure – an existing apartment building, a three-storey walk-up like the two bedside it – retains its eight rental residences but is now unified with its neighbours thanks to a shared, singular façade. It too has retail at grade – all three shops are needs-based and independently owned.

The shared, street-facing exterior features a faceted, perforated metal screen which allows full views of the street from the inside, and privacy from the pedestrian-heavy environment outside. The screen also filters light and provides shading from the penetrating western sun; because retail at grade is recessed, these units, too, benefit from the sun shield. Where the building forms merge, internal, and rear courtyards increase the tenants’ usable space.

Broadview Terrace's built form, in its entirety, is a wood and steel construction. Fifty percent of the existing overall structure was maintained, minimizing the project’s carbon footprint as well as allowing the project to bypass the kind of zoning and bylaw restrictions that would have been placed upon a new build. This expedited our mission to gently densify the area as quickly as possible, and economically, providing market-value rental units to those looking to call the neighbourhood home right away.

A standout build, still respectful of the vernacular, Broadview Terraces gently stitches additional housing and services into the community’s fabric, as modern “missing middle” projects should do.

City: Toronto, Ontario
Size: 12 000 sf.
Status: Completed 2022

Toronto Urban Design Award of Merit, 2023

Jury comment: “The transformation of these properties is astounding, and the Jury would have loved to have seen images of the original façades to truly understand how this ultimate change came about. Ingeniously, this simple screen ties the three properties in a way that gives it new life while adding to the dynamism of the street. The simple moves by the design team resulted in an upgrade to the “missing middle” housing needs of the city and for this they should be applauded.

The new skin and layered façade add to a beautiful massing that fits in well with the existing context. The angled metal screens play off each other – they are well-crafted pieces that add depth to the building’s fenestration. Conversely, the layered rear compositions, with a similar colour palette, add private roof terraces for the residents, thus creating their own private oases within the service rear. The decision to retain the existing structures is the simplest sustainable approach.”