505 Richmond Street West, “The Water Works”

MOD Developments Inc. and Woodcliffe Landmark Properties Inc. have developed a new landmark adaptive reuse project at 505 Richmond Street West, in the King- Spadina neighbourhood. The new development has been designed as an animated community hub with a vertically integrated mix of uses, including market-rate residential condominiums, affordable units managed by Artscape, a YMCA facility, and a vibrant food hall. The site housed the 1932 Water Works building, a designated heritage property, and was once the site of the only market in Toronto’s west end.

The new building has been designed to ensure the proposed development fits harmoniously with the surrounding context of the area, while the reuse of the Water Works heritage building respects the distinct and long-standing architectural character of the community. In addition to the urban food hall, the heritage building will also house retail stores, and a year-round pedestrian walkway will connect Richmond Street West to the adjacent St. Andrew’s Playground park.

Urban Strategies provided planning analysis for this development, working closely with a multi-disciplinary team of consultants and City Staff, provided planning advice to the client team, and assisted with planning approvals for this innovative project.