New boutique condo for Cabbagetown

Modern meets heritage design in a midrise featuring 3-bedroom suites with urban families in mind

A new boutique condo building planned for Toronto’s Cabbagetown community will lend some upscale modern design to the historic A new boutique condo building planned for Toronto’s Cabbagetown community will lend some upscale modern design to the historic neighbourhood, as well as larger, more livable suites that are challenging to find in downtown Toronto.

The Georgian, by Stafford Homes, will have 107 suites in a seven-storey building that will include threebedroom condominiums — intended for urban families who want to stay in the city core — as well as oneand two-bedroom layous.

“We saw that within the downtown, it’s almost impossible to find livable or family-style suites,” says Jonathan Goldman, president of Stafford Homes. “Everything produced these days is on the smaller side to keep it affordable.

“When we saw (pandemic) lockdowns happening, we wanted to better design buildings and tackle livability issues to make them more conducive to families. We saw a gap in the market and wanted to provide housing that fills that need.”

The building will bring a touch of grandeur to the up-and-coming neighbourhood, rising at 227 Gerrard St. E. on a site currently occupied by The Beer Store and a parking lot, across the street from older red brick townhouses typical of the area. A new, larger Beer Store will be part of the the new development.

“In terms of the building being in Cabbagetown, with its beautiful Victorian homes and great heritage pieces, we knew right off the bat this building would be classically inspired with a nod to the traditional architecture of the neighbourhood,” says Elmira Yousefi, an architect with RAW Design. “But we also wanted something polished and urban that engages a younger demographic.

“This building is an evolution of the existing fabric and we had a lot of community feedback,” addes Yousefi. “That was incorporated into the building, with red brick and masonry glass, and the way we treated the window fenestrations, such as where the mullions land. It will be a nice complement to the heritage buildings.”

With its corner location, The Georgian will have three street facades plus one on a laneway, and so was designed in segments but with repeating materials to provide a cohesive, 360-degree appearance.

“Yes, it’s a midrise building, but we had to consider how to take it one step further and break into different volumes to be a bit more manageable,” Yousefi says. As well, there will be ground-floor retail along Gerrard St. with a recessed alcove and canopies extended above door

‘‘ Within the downtown, it’s almost impossible to find livable or family-style suites.

JONATHAN GOLDMAN PRESIDENT OF STAFFORD HOMES

height. Goldman says Stafford has experience dealing with heritage components, citing The Bell Heritage, a Scarborough development of townhouses and semi-detached homes that includes the fully restored 1830 Bell family home.

“We’ve become good at taking feedback from local residents and we’ve gone above and beyond with this building,” Goldman says of the Georgian. “We’ve made certain tweaks based on that feedback and this will be a building with a beautiful, modern touch yet most of it is heritage-sympathetic.”

For the interior design, the goal was to bring something fresh and different to the neighbourhood yet keep it approachable. U31 design firm principal Kelly Cray describes it as “cool, casual sophistication with mid-century Palm Springs thrown in.”

The lobby’s design is intended to have more of a residential feel than typical upscale condo building, “so when you enter it, it’s like you’re entering your home,” says Cray. “It has a casual vibe and is a bit lounge-y.”

U31 took design cues from the external architecture, such as windows that are remniscent of factory construction. Refined industrial detailing was used in the lobby as an accent, with materials such as concrete and natural stone with heavy textures — such as a terrazzo stone concierge desk. Those were countered with a warm but neutral palette, with textures providing substance.

“As you make your way through various areas, there are west coast nuances mixed with industrial elements, medium-toned woods and mid-century softened edges,” explains Cray. “There needs to be balance. If it’s too modern, it might offend some people. We knew there would be some urbanites and families, so we wanted it to be fresh, approachable and durable. You want to be able to sit on the furniture and immerse yourself in the environment.”

As well, plans call for indoor plants and foliage in common areas — and residents appreciate that, says Cray. “We always try to blur the lines between inside and outdoors.”

Suites and amenity areas are designed to provide generous natural light and connection to outdoors, says Goldman. The fitness room will have a green wall. The co-working space will be located off of a terrace. “You will be able to work and be inspired, and there’s a really great social lounge that’s an extension of the co-working space,” says Cray.

“The terrace is fully landscaped and will provide opportunities for residents to get outdoors.”

With the importance of working from home, Goldman says the building will be outfitted with highend and fast technology, as well as superior heating-ventilation-cooling system and air filtration.

When residents do leave home, they can find all they need within walking distance. Allen Gardens and a bus stop are two minutes away, and the Eaton Centre, St. Lawrence Market, Distillery District, Dundas Station and George Brown College are less than 20 minutes away on foot.

‘‘ This will be a building with a beautiful, modern touch yet most of it is heritage sympathetic.

JONATHAN GOLDMAN PRESIDENT OF STAFFORD HOMES