224-232 PARLIAMENT STREET
Toronto, Ontario

The owners of a number of properties on Parliament Street in Toronto, in prominent art collectors and philanthropists, retained James Bailey Architect to assess the properties and to consolidate them. Their goal was to develop a large residence (fully accessible through all four levels), as well as the possibility of a recording studio/home office and an art gallery with significant storage area for their extensive art collection. MORE >

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The development was to be focused inward onto a large internal courtyard created by the amalgamation of the backyards of the properties at hand. The existing buildings were of different vintages and in a range of conditions. Some of them had suffered long periods of neglect under previous owner and it was a challenge to propose a cohesive scheme, which satisfied the program needs of the Client, as well as respecting the street frontage and the historic streetscape.

A number of design alternatives were developed and costed over the course of two years. A Committee of Adjustment Minor Variance was obtained for the inclusion of a six car garage off the laneway. Full consideration was given to green energy resources and sustainable systems and materials (including ground source heating and solar panels).

The project came to a halt following the illness of one of the Client and the property was later sold.