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Canary District, Ontario2015 Completed ● $514M ● 1,106,645 m2mixed-use ● residential ● institutional ● commercialClient: Dundee Kilmer DevelopmentsCollaborators: KPMB Architects, Daoust Lestage, MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects
a-A co-led the design and realization of a unique mixed-use development that provides 253 units of affordable housing and 787 units of market housing, and serves as a major building block in Waterfront Toronto’s revitalization plans for the West Don Lands. The Integrated Design Team [architectsAlliance, KPMB Architects, Daoust Lestage inc., and MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects] designed a cohesive yet diverse fabric of buildings that gives every resident access to fresh air, natural light and beautiful public green space.
The new community reads like an established neighbourhood, with mid-rise courtyard buildings with setbacks, high levels of sustainability, accessibility to a broadly-abled range of residents, and connections to Corktown and the St. Lawrence neighbourhood. The confluence of diverse architectural expression, ample retail, restaurants and local services and an abundance of green space and pedestrian routes creates a rich response to advance the West Don Lands' vision of transforming the industrial site into a vibrant, sustainable, mixed-use community.
Recognition2017 Urban Land Institute ● Global Award of Excellence2013 Canadian Architect ● Award of Excellence2013 Canadian Urban Institute ● Brownie Award for Brownfields Redevelopment Best Overall Project2012 Canadian Architect Magazine ● Award of Excellence -
The Canary precinct is sophisticated proof [and a quiet rallying cry] that intelligent cities should renew the currency of the well-crafted “block” as the real medium in which we can grow good neighbourhoods.