New condo complex in West Don Lands a superb example of how residential development can enhance the city

Christopher Hume – Toronto Star

All the buildings on Lower River Street are new. But then, so is Lower River Street.

Until recently, River ended at King St. E. but now extends south of King into the West Don Lands. This part of town was a bit of wasteland until Waterfront Toronto came along. An old cement plant occupied much of the prime real estate in the area and, for all intents and purposes, the site was a black hole. But no longer.

Though the West Don Lands are situated in one of the oldest parts of the city, everything thing here is 21st century. That makes for an unusually rich situation; unlike suburbia, new development here has to fit in with an existing context, which affects scale and connections between new and old, buildings and the street grid.

River City Condos, Lower River St.

This development is so new, most of it remains unfinished – but things are fast taking shape. Already, residents have moved into a section of the first lowrise condo, of five buildings to be constructed, on the east side of Lower River St. Rising just six storeys, this striking building clad in black aluminum would stand out anywhere. Here, it looks spectacular.

Architecturally, it is a work of considerable sophistication, which doesn’t mean that it’s elaborate, but that it’s thoroughly considered. Built out to the sidewalk, it clearly wants to be part of things. And there are some nice details – the peaked roofline, for example, and the horizontal rows of windows, lined up though not rigidly symmetrical.

The high quality of the architecture notwithstanding, River City has townhouses at grade, each with a small front yard. Though this stretch of River is residential, one can’t help but wonder how well these street-level residences will relate to their surroundings. Much of the site remains under construction and it’s possible things will be resolved. These tiny residences feel out of place and overwhelmed by their surroundings, and have an awkward relationship with the larger city.

On the other hand, retail would also be hard to imagine. But with the Corktown Common, various amenities and the athletes’ village now being built for the 2015 Pan Am Games, everything here will soon be very different.

Grade: A+

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Contact Laurin Jeffrey for more information – 416-388-1960

Laurin Jeffrey is a Toronto Realtor with Century 21 Regal Realty. He did not
write these articles, he just reproduces them here for people who are
interested in Toronto real estate. He does not work for any builders.
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