Preserving and Regenerating Mirvish Village: A Model for Community Development

Toronto, ON, Canada

Project's Summary

Preserving and Regenerating Mirvish Village: A New Model for Community Development

Mirvish Village is a pioneering development in downtown Toronto that boasts a unique model for community building. The project, spanning 4.5 acres, is a purpose-built community for rental apartments and innovative retail, inspired by the small building floorplate densification of Tokyo. The development comprises 32 micro buildings and will eventually be home to over 2,000 Torontonians. It is designed to fit seamlessly into the surrounding urban fabric, known for its diversity and vitality, by preserving the rhythm of the existing streetscape.

Honouring Heritage and History

Mirvish Village is a community that preserves and honours the site's heritage and history. The development's fine-grain approach is a result of a robust consultation process that helped shape its mix of uses, from Honest Ed's Alley to vibrantly programmed outdoor spaces. The heritage houses that formed part of the original Markham Street Art Colony will be restored, bringing life back to these houses with the addition of new restaurants and cafes to enliven the streetscape. The project is designed to meet LEED Platinum ND standards and will include a site-wide utility and support sustainable transportation with extensive bike and car co-op programs.

A Community for Everyone

Mirvish Village is a community designed for everyone. All 800 suites will be rental, with some apartments available at below-market rates and almost half designed for families. The collection of buildings is broken into small towers and streetwall buildings with retail at the ground plane. This approach preserves the rhythm of the existing streetscape while also providing innovative retail spaces that give a nod to the landmark Honest Ed's store. The development's approach to community building is a necessary shift in Toronto city-building, providing a new development model that includes rental housing, public spaces, and retail animation.

Seamless Integration with the Urban Fabric

Mirvish Village is a development that fits seamlessly into the surrounding urban fabric known for its diversity and vitality. The project is a result of the Henriquez Partners Architects architectural studio's vision, with Shawn Lapointe as the principal and Gregory Henriquez as the managing principal. The team worked with E.R.A Architects for heritage, Diamond Schmitt Architects as the executive architect, Glotman Simpson for structural, Creative Energy as the utility provider, Urban Strategies for planning, and Janet Rosenberg & Studio for landscape architects. The development's innovative approach to community building, preservation of heritage, and seamless integration with the surrounding urban fabric make it a model for community development.

In conclusion, Mirvish Village is a pioneering development that represents a necessary shift in Toronto city-building. The project's approach to community building, preservation of heritage, and seamless integration with the surrounding urban fabric make it a model for community development. The development's fine-grain approach fits seamlessly into the surrounding urban fabric, preserving the rhythm of the existing streetscape. With its mix of rental housing, public spaces, and innovative retail animation, Mirvish Village is a community designed for everyone.

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