35 Bellevue

In Toronto’s iconic Kensington Market neighbourhood, a former City-owned parking lot is being transformed into 78 deeply affordable and supportive units for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

A cross-laminated timber superstructure was chosen (floors, roof, exterior walls, elevator core), for speed of construction, for low emission requirements for carbon intensity and for design flexibility. 

Design-wise, the building reflects the Kensington Market area's unique character. The building's U-shaped form frames a landscaped internal courtyard, bringing daylight into units and creating a shared community gathering space.

Red metal cladding reflects the neighborhood’s vibrant spirit, while the exposed mass timber structure enhances interior warmth and material authenticity.

Building Faster and Smarter with Mass Timber
From the outset, speed and sustainability were paramount. The solution: a mass timber structure utilizing cross-laminated timber (CLT), enabling rapid installation, reduced embodied carbon, and high-performance building outcomes.

Off-site mass timber prefabrication has meant that neighborhood disruption in this dense area of the city has been minimized, and assembly has been much fast than traditional construction - accelerating the schedule.

In addition, the project is designed to exceed Tier 2 of the Toronto Green Standard v4, and aligns with the city’s net-zero targets

The project is a great example as to how cities can build faster and greener, while maintaining dignity, design quality, and neighbourhood integration.