High Park Multiplex

High Park Multiplex is a five-unit property designed to maximise its density in this west Toronto neighbourhood. The project replaces an existing triplex with a spacious fourplex that maintains the character of the street, plus a modern laneway house in the rear. Overall, the redevelopment adds over 10,600 square feet of living space to the property.

The main goal for the redevelopment was to achieve more space for the owner unit, and to create larger family-size rental suites to maximize the usefulness and income potential of the property. What was previously three small apartments will be five large suites: four are three-bedroom suites, and one is a two-bedroom suite.

The property is large enough to accommodate a generous main building depth of 24.5 metres, plus the required 7.5m separation to the laneway house, which itself is the full 10m maximum building depth. In addition, there are two rear pad parking spaces.

This project has all the hallmark Solares strategies for comfort, energy efficiency and low-carbon emissions. The building envelope is extremely well insulated and air-tight, and the systems are all-electric with separate heat pumps and ducting for each unit with individual controls. The building is roughed in for future installation of PV solar panels, and at least one parking space will be equipped with an EV charging station.

The layout of this fourplex utilizes the large property depth, with a pair of two-level suites stacked at the front and another pair stacked at the back. This approach enables each suite to have two levels and dedicated, private entries. All told, the four suites together total 8,200 square feet.

To achieve the building size required for this effective layout, variances were sought for building length and height, setbacks, floor space index, and parking. Some of these variances would no longer be required, as new multiplex rules have since been released in Toronto.

Each suite is designed to feel like a standalone home, with its own entry and outdoor space. Two of the four units occupy levels 1 and 0, with entry through private decks at the front or back. The other two units occupy levels 2 and 3, one facing the front and one the back. These upper units enter from the side of the building into private foyers with stairs leading up.

The two lower units match very closely in size and layout. On level 1 you enter from the deck into a large open-concept kitchen-living-dining space, with large entrance closet, spacious kitchen countertops, and space for a separate dining table. Stairs lead down to level 0 where there are three bedrooms, a primary ensuite, a shared washroom with laundry, and a mechanical/storage room.

The two upper units enter into private foyers with large entrance closets and stairs leading up to the great rooms on level 2. The front upper suite is the largest, with a substantial great room equipped with a large kitchen, a separate dining area, space for a home office workstation, a powder room, and a mechanical/storage room. Upstairs in this unit are three bedrooms, with a primary ensuite and large walk-in closet, shared washroom, and full laundry room.

The rear upper suite is the smallest of the four, with a generous great room, powder room and mechanical/storage room on the main level, and two bedrooms with shared washroom and laundry closet upstairs. This unit has two private decks facing the backyard, one off the great room and one above off the bedrooms.