High Park Laneway Suite

High Park Laneway Suite is the fifth unit on this West Toronto property: the modern, four-bedroom suite sits behind a new four-unit multiplex. The overall property development involves the replacement of an existing triplex into a spacious fourplex with a new two-storey laneway house in the rear. Overall, the redevelopment adds over 10,600 square feet of living space to the property.

The property is very deep, allowing for the full 10-metre maximum building depth with space still available for rear pad parking off the laneway. One of the goals for this project was to create spacious, private living suites, so the two levels above grade are accompanied by a full basement.

As with the multiplex in front, the laneway suite is all-electric, low-carbon emitting, designed with high levels of insulation and an extremely tight building envelope. It is equipped with an air-source heat pump, an ERV for fresh air ventilation, the building is roughed in for future PV array installation, and the two parking spaces on the laneway side are equipped with EV charging stations.

With a building footprint of 10m deep by 7.6m wide and three levels of living space, High Park Laneway Suite totals 2,400 square feet. The property could have allowed for the max 8m building width, but to provide south-facing windows for the laneway suite and full access to all units on the property, a 1.5m pathway runs along the side of both the laneway suite and the multiplex.

The modern, urban design maximizes useful living space with its box-like shape and clean, straight lines. Using the same exterior brick as the multiplex, the laneway suite distinguishes itself with intricate brick detailing on the privacy screening at the entrance and upper balcony.

The front door opens onto a large, dedicated entrance space, which is closed off from living spaces for a more formal entry experience, and a large 9.5-foot closet. Just off the foyer is a powder room likewise separate from the common areas. Around the corner is the spacious great room, with open-concept living-kitchen space and an enormous 12-foot island used for cooking and dining, forming the heart of this home. The great room opens through large sliding doors onto the backyard.

On the second floor is a large primary suite, a second bedroom, a shared double-sink washroom with stacked washer/dryer, and a brightly lit home office. The bedrooms share a balcony that spans the full width of the home, with light pouring in through wide sliding doors. Both the ensuite and shared washrooms are daylit through large skylights above.

The basement level is spacious, with a rec/living room, two additional bedrooms each with generous window well, a shared washroom, and a mechanical storage room.