Developer Slate Asset Management made waves in Toronto’s development and design communities with the 2018 reveal of their One Delisle project, enlisting world-renowned architect Jeanne Gang and her firm Studio Gang to design a new residential tower near Yonge and St. Clair with Toronto-based Architect of Record WZMH Architects. In the year and a half since the project was unveiled at a community consultation, One Delisle has been working its way through the planning and approvals process, and was most recently recommended for approval by Toronto’s City Planning division.

Looking south to One Delisle, image courtesy of Slate Asset Management

In the wake of a resubmitted plan for the project revealed in November with several refinements, the City Planning Division now recommends that City Council amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-laws to permit a tower of 150 metres measured to the top of a mechanical penthouse level, with 293 condominium units. The matter will be put forth for consideration by Toronto and East York Community Council on March 12th.

A number of supporting factors are cited in a Final Report directed to Toronto and East York Community Council, to recommend the project’s approval. These include consistency with provincial planning policies, as well as municipal plans like the Yonge-St. Clair Secondary Plan and the Yonge-St. Clair Planning Framework and Tall Building Guidelines. Major built form objectives and proposed public realm enhancements proposed by Slate were also integral in getting the project to this stage.

Looking south to One Delisle, image courtesy of Slate Asset Management

The recommended approval comes with details about conveyances to the City, including a significant parkland contribution. A 2,506 m² public park is proposed to be secured off-site on the rear portions of 30 and 40 St. Clair Avenue West, to be under a 999-year lease to the City.

In addition to the parkland contribution, the development would provide a $5,000,000 contribution to the City in the form of; $1,500,000 towards capital improvements for new or existing Toronto Community Housing and/or affordable housing, $1,500,000 towards capital improvements for new or existing cultural and/or community space, $1,500,000 towards local area park or streetscape improvements, and $500,000 towards the provision and maintenance of a public art contribution.

The recommended approval comes with other conditions that include a requirement that a minimum of 10 percent three-or-more bedroom family-sized units be included in the development, and the creation and maintenance of a new publicly accessible pedestrian connection between St. Clair Avenue West and Delisle Park along the east side lot line of 40 St. Clair Avenue West.

One Delisle's crown on the local skyline at dusk, image courtesy of Slate Asset Management

The project’s standout architecture, while not a factor in the imminent OPA and ZBA approvals, has been specifically noted in the Final Report. A series of elongated hexagonal modules pieced together in a honeycomb pattern transition the tower from a rectilinear base up to circular floor plates at its peak, giving the tower a distinct skyline presence. At street level, the podium would include a restoration and relocation of an existing Art Deco façade, forming part of a pedestrian-scaled base building at the corner of Yonge and Delisle. New streetfront retail opportunities will include a large second floor rooftop patio overlooking Yonge Street.

Base of One Delisle, image courtesy of Slate Asset Management

Additional information and images can be found in our Database file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread, or leave a comment below.

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