Alain Cogan, founder of Oikoi Living, discusses the recently approved 70‑storey rental tower at 164–168 Isabella Street: its unit mix, transit‑first approach, heritage relocation, rental replacement obligations, and the practical challenges that lie between approval and construction.
The project adds 599 purpose‑built rental units, including 242 two‑ and three‑bedroom apartments aimed at families and larger households.
Design prioritizes transit, walking, and cycling with minimal vehicle parking and 369 bicycle spaces, reflecting the site’s proximity to multiple subway stations.
Two designated heritage buildings will be retained and relocated on site, adding complexity to design and construction.
Toronto City Council approved a 70‑storey purpose‑built rental building for 164–168 Isabella Street. The approved scheme provides 599 rental units, of which 242 are two‑ and three‑bedroom apartments. The design also includes roughly 27,000 square feet of amenity space, 369 bicycle parking spaces, and the conservation and relocation of two heritage buildings. The development must also deliver 50 rental replacement units for existing tenants.
The location is highly transit‑connected: Sherbourne Station is about a five‑minute walk away, and Wellesley and Bloor‑Yonge stations are nearby. Cogan frames the site as suitable for higher density because residents can access employment, schools, universities, parks, and services without depending on a car. That connectivity directly shaped decisions on parking, cycling infrastructure, and unit mix.
The project includes a substantial share of larger units: 181 two‑bedroom and 61 three‑bedroom units. Cogan explains that offering two‑ and three‑bedroom apartments responds to Toronto's need for rental options that suit families and households wanting long‑term rental tenure. The goal is to broaden rental housing beyond the small‑unit models that dominate many recent builds.
Transportation and parking strategy
The design minimizes vehicle parking and emphasizes transit, walking, and cycling. There are 369 bicycle parking spaces and a transportation plan that assumes many residents will use nearby subway stations and local services. Cogan notes that underground parking is expensive and that reducing parking levels affects project economics. The transit‑first approach aligns with the downtown location and aims to reduce both cost and the development's transportation footprint.
Heritage retention and site composition
Two designated heritage buildings on the site will be retained and relocated closer to Isabella Street. That requires close coordination between heritage consultants, architects, and constructors and influences the design of the tower's base and how the building meets the street. The project team treats the heritage structures and new tower as a single composition so the historic elements feel integrated rather than tacked on.
The project increases rental supply substantially at a central, transit‑oriented location and provides a higher proportion of family‑sized units than many recent developments. The approach—limited vehicle parking, significant bike parking, and preserved heritage buildings—reflects practical tradeoffs among urban design, cost, and local context. The remaining work will test whether the approvals translate into completed housing given the complexity and financial sensitivities of large rental projects.
On 1 September 2026, the Balearic Social Housing Model was announced as the recipient of the 2026 OBEL Award. The focus of this award's cycle was "Systems' Hack," calling on architecture to critically engage with the systems that underpin contemporary society and to examine how these interconnected networks might be re
In the words of this month’s guest editor Emma Warren, neighbourhood space is “an engine room” - a place where community is founded, creativity is born and the next gen is inspired. But in London, this space is under threat. It seems like every week there’s a new proposal to overhaul and redevelop these areas....
In a novel approach to urban housing, some residents have pooled their time and finances into redeveloping single dwellings. It’s a herculean task – with feel-good results Melbourne architect Chris Gilbert had run out of eggs. He texted a neighbour and within minutes, he says, their child arrived with some. “Then I mad
Reading Time: < 1 minute Piers Brown, CEO of International Hospitality Media (publisher of Boutique Hotel News), speaks to Jeff Tisdall, chief business officer of Accor One Living, about the evolution of branded residences, buyer demand dynamics in Dubai, and the future of branded offices. The post The future of brande
A co-living operator ideally means prompt rent payments without worrying about property management. The post Is It Legal To Rent Out Your Condo To A Co-Living Operator In Singapore appeared first on DollarsAndSense.sg .
Maybe I’m not the only one whose mind has a hundred conversations a day. Continue reading on Medium »
Loading more related stories...
Open the app view to save this story, compare related coverage, and continue from the same source.