Hydro Block City of Toronto
Developer
Ontario Housing Corporation
Architect
Diamond and Myers 9m
6.4m 20.9m
5.5m
Henry St.
St
45 m
P3
Be ve rle yS t
Cecil
The Hydro Block applies an innovative design approach to achieve ground related housing that fits well into the surrounding context and achieves densities normally associated with a high-rise form. CONTEXT Hydro Block is located in the College & Spadina area of Downtown Toronto. The surrounding neighbourhood features an urban block structure that includes rear laneways for parking and service.
P1
win
80 m
Elm
nr y
on A
• T he neighbourhood includes a mix of semi-detached and row housing, as well as some walk-up apartments. •A range of amenities is within a short walk of the site, including: schools, theatres, restaurants, and shopping. It is also close to transit, including Queen’s Park subway station. Victoria • T he Hydro Block includes one 4-storey Memorial apartment building,Park 2-storey townhome Burnet Park of low-rise complexes, as well as a range West Don Lands semi-detached houses.
P4
St
~ 9m / 3 st
Bald
Secti
He
~ 14m / 5 st
P
P2
St
P5
St
Elgin Barrow
St
t ick S
36
Hydro Block
tr St Pa
t win S
Bald
St
urst
Bath
eet
y Str
t rley S
Beve
Elm
ry Ln rewe
C
University Health Network Princess Margaret Hospital
Old B
ul St
McCa
Henr
t ecil S
HISTORY Arena Complex In the late 1960s Ontario Hydro began Lakeshore Rd to purchase houses on the block with Forsythe St Forsythe St the intention to demolish and build a transformer station to serve the surrounding downtown neighbourhoods. By 1970 protests and growing political clout by communitybased groups convinced the public agency not to proceed. Instead, when ownership and responsibility for the land was transferred to the Ontario Housing Corporation, dilapidated housing on Henry Street was demolished to make way for higher density community housing. In 1978, the development was complete, accommodating stacked Trillium College townhome and apartment housing on Baldwin Street and Henry St, as well as refurbished detached homes along Beverley Street.