Laneway Rowhouses for Urban Infill

Laneway rowhouses in Toronto creating new missing middle housing on an infill site.
Laneway rowhouses in Toronto creating new missing middle housing on an infill site.

The Challenge: how do we make the most of an unexpected site?

Our client wanted to replace the surface parking behind two detached homes in Toronto and convert it into multi-unit housing. The challenge was to develop quality family-sized units on an underutilized laneway site. 

CLIENT:

Originate Developments

 

LOCATION:

661-665 Huron St., Toronto

 

STATUS:

Building Permit

 

Units:

6 x 3 b/r rental townhouses

Laneway rowhouses at 661-665 Huron Street with landscaped pedestrian access and family-sized rental homes.
Row of laneway rowhouses fronting onto a Toronto laneway and backing onto an existing apartment building
Schematic elevation showing laneway rowhouses, shared access, and infill site organization.

“Smart Density have done an amazing job on this infill laneway project! We are excited to continue to work on creating new housing in the missing middle”.

–Adam Sheffer, Originate Developments (Client)

Floor plan of family-sized laneway rowhouses arranged within a compact Toronto infill site.
Floor plan showinh family-sized laneway rowhouses designed for a compact infill site.

The Solution: creating community and family-sized units on a surface parking site

We designed a row of seven metal-clad units that take on an interesting geometric form. A site-specific response, the faceted design correlates with setbacks from surrounding buildings. From the outset, we mapped the windows  to ensure privacy, light and engagement with the street. 

To promote a sense of community, the properties have two access points. One is via the laneway and the other is through a verdant communal garden that spills out at the front. To keep costs down, there is no parking on site as residents have access to nearby transit (only 250m away).

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