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The transformation of Regent Park continues with a submission for Building 4A, a 26-storey mixed-use building at 325 Gerrard Street East. Designed by COBE Architects with architects—Alliance as Architect of Record for Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC), the project is part of Phases 4 and 5, the final chapters of this neighbourhood’s revitalization on the east side of Downtown Toronto. The building will provide affordable rental housing, retail, and community spaces.
The site occupies a 3,855m² lot at the southeast corner of Gerrard Street East and Dreamer’s Way, just east of Parliament Street. Like the rest of the transforming site, TCHC-operated low-rise housing formerly occupied the block and has been demolished for this proposal. To the south, the Fred Victor Housing building provides social services. Regent Park’s redevelopment includes mid- and high-rise residential developments, community facilities, retail, and parks.
Originally developed between 1948 and 1959 as Canada’s largest public housing community, Regent Park has been undergoing a significant transformation since 2002. The revitalization aims to replace aging low-rise social housing with a mixed-income, mixed-use community. Phases 1 through 3, completed in partnership with The Daniels Corporation, delivered new homes, retail spaces, and community facilities. A 2023 Zoning By-law Amendment for Phases 4 and 5 paved the way for the final parts of the redevelopment, being completed in partnership with Tridel.
This Site Plan Approval application, submitted by TCHC to the City of Toronto, refines the vision for Block 4A which is planned as a 26-storey mixed-use building rising to 87.91m, increased from 20 storeys in the previous submission. The design features a 10-storey podium fronting Gerrard Street East, which transitions into the tower. The building would provide 272 affordable rental units, barely reduced from 274. Five residential elevators, two serving the mid-rise and three serving the high-rise, result in a ratio of approximately one elevator per 54 units, indicating minimal wait times.
The project spans a total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of 35,688m², including 33,395m² for residential use, 952m² for retail at grade, and 1,158m² for community facilities, and a Floor Space Index (FSI) of 9.26. This revised proposal increases the tower height and eliminates previously proposed office space in favour of more retail and community facility space. Retail space would activate the streetscape along Gerrard, with community uses facing a pocket park along the south side of the site, plus along Dreamer’s Way. Residential access is via Dreamer’s Way and a new street along the east side of the site. The proposal also includes 312m² of indoor amenity space, located within the podium, and 1,832m² of outdoor amenity space.
One underground parking level would provide 95 motor vehicle spaces, including 60 for residents, 34 for visitors and non-residential uses, and 1 car-share space. Bicycle parking would include 249 long-term and 56 short-term spaces.
The site is served by TTC streetcars along Gerrard Street, connecting to Line 1 and Line 2 subways, as well as a north-south bus route on Parliament Street which connects to Line 2. Cyclists can access dedicated bike lanes on Gerrard Street East, with cycle tracks on River and Dundas streets and shared cycling routes on Sackville and Sumach streets.
Numerous projects are adding to Regent Park’s transformation. To the immediate west, Daniels on Parliament is currently under construction, rising 10 and 25 storeys. To the immediate east, Buildings 4B and 4C are proposed at 19 and 39 storeys, while southeast, the 15-storey Block 16 North is about to begin occupancy, while 111 River Street is planned at 34 storeys. To the north, 306 Gerrard East and 505 Parliament are both proposed at 10 storeys. Further west, The Georgian is under construction and The Jasper is proposed, both at 7 storeys, while 307 Sherbourne Street is rising to 18 storeys. Southwest, 401 Dundas East is proposed at 14 storeys, and Oak Heights, further east, calls for 32 storeys. Phases 4 and 5 of Regent Park’s revitalization are planned with 13 buildings, with seven high-rise towers ranging between 18 and 39 storeys.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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