Toronto’s Former Planner to Build Mass Timber Block Over Car Wash

Why It Matters

The development showcases how mass timber can accelerate affordable housing delivery while supporting sustainability goals, and it signals policy momentum that could reshape Toronto’s construction landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Eight‑storey mass timber tower replaces Classic Coin Car Wash
• 77 affordable one‑ and two‑bedroom units, 86 bike spaces, no car parking
• Project backed by CMHC and designed by Batay‑Csorba Architects
• Located in two Protected Major Transit Station Areas, near streetcar lines
• Ontario code permits mass timber up to 18 storeys, enabling taller towers

Pulse Analysis

Mass timber is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of sustainable urban construction, and Toronto is at the forefront of this shift. The material’s low carbon footprint, combined with the speed of prefabricated assembly, makes it attractive for developers seeking to meet tight housing timelines and climate targets. Recent projects like the Limberlost Place tower at George Brown College have demonstrated that exposed timber can meet high‑rise performance standards, prompting city planners and investors to explore similar models for residential use.

Collecdev Markee’s eight‑storey proposal on College Street epitomizes the convergence of policy, transit‑oriented design, and affordability. By situating 77 rental units and ample bike storage within a car‑free footprint, the development leverages the Protected Major Transit Station Area designation to reduce reliance on private vehicles. Backed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the project also incorporates an affordable housing component, aligning with Toronto’s Expanding Housing Options in Neighbourhoods initiative that encourages gentle densification on underutilized sites.

The timing of the project is pivotal, as Ontario’s updated building code now permits encapsulated mass timber up to 18 storeys—a 50 percent increase from previous limits. This regulatory change, championed by Minister Paul Calandra, is expected to lower construction costs and stimulate the province’s northern timber industry. As more developers adopt modular timber methods, the city could see a wave of mid‑rise, environmentally friendly rental towers that address both the housing shortage and climate imperatives, reshaping Toronto’s skyline for the next decade.