It may not reach the heights of Willy Wonka’s everything-is-edible room, but The Plant, a new mixed-use community planned for Toronto’s West Queen West neighborhood, puts an emphasis on surrounding residents with food.
It is this focus on food that differentiates The Plant from other mixed-use projects. “It might seem extreme, but we orientated this entire project around our connection to food,” says Gary Eisen, Partner at Curated Properties, in a release.
The majority of the building’s amenities are food centric, such as an internal greenhouse to cultivate seeds and act as a nursery for starting up plants and an industrial style kitchen designed to host seasonal preparations of food and host social events.
Each unit comes with custom micro-garden beds for fresh herbs built into sidecars in the kitchen. The units also all come with balconies or terraces with space for plants, furniture, and a barbeque. Angular construction enables sunlight to flow into the suites to aid in growing plants indoors.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
“The balconies and terraces at The Plant are really more like an 8-story porch,” says Jonathan Westeinde, CEO of Windmill Developments, in a release. “They have their own structure, with railings and lattices, as well as a thermal break. So not only are they large and spacious, but they’re orientated to work with the sun and encourage plant life to take hold.”
In addition to the residential aspect, the mixed-use community will offer ground floor retail and office space on the second floor. It is the hopes of the developers that the business and tenants that rent out these spaces will share the same ideals of sustainability and social responsibility.
Curated Properties and Windmill Developments have teamed up on the 10-story building that will offer units ranging from one-bedroom suites to four-bedroom townhomes. The main goal of The Plant is to work towards a self-sustaining, self-reliant residence and be a beacon for “agri-tecture.”
A total of 77 units will be included in the project with prices starting at $500,000.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
Related Stories
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-rise features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Affordable Housing | Mar 14, 2023
3 affordable housing projects that overcame building obstacles
These three developments faced certain obstacles during their building processes—from surrounding noise suppression to construction methodology.
Mixed-Use | Mar 11, 2023
Austin mixed-use development will provide two million sf of office, retail, and residential space
In Austin, Texas, the seven-building East Riverside Gateway complex will provide a mixed-use community next to the city’s planned Blue Line light rail, which will connect the Austin Bergstrom International Airport with downtown Austin. Planned and designed by Steinberg Hart, the development will include over 2 million sf of office, retail, and residential space, as well as amenities, such as a large park, that are intended to draw tech workers and young families.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Feb 27, 2023
New 20,000-seat soccer stadium will anchor neighborhood development in Indianapolis
A new 20,000-seat soccer stadium for United Soccer League’s Indy Eleven will be the centerpiece of a major neighborhood development in Indianapolis. The development will transform the southwest quadrant of downtown Indianapolis by adding more than 600 apartments, 205,000 sf of office space, 197,000 sf for retail space and restaurants, parking garages, a hotel, and public plazas with green space.
Retail Centers | Feb 24, 2023
Santiago Calatrava unveils plans for a luxury retail and office complex in Düsseldorf, Germany
Renowned architect and engineer Santiago Calatrava, along with the CENTRUM Group, has unveiled plans for Calatrava Boulevard, a luxury retail and office complex in Düsseldorf, Germany. Running parallel to Königsallee and connecting with the Steinstrasse station, Calatrava Boulevard will incorporate and connect to the boulevard’s existing buildings.
Mixed-Use | Feb 23, 2023
7 mixed-use developments that don't sacrifice housing affordability
Here are seven mixed-use, multifamily projects dedicated to providing affordable housing.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 21, 2023
Watch: DBA Architects' Bryan Moore talks micro communities and the benefits of walkable neighborhoods
What is a micro-community? Where are they most prevalent? What’s the future for micro communities? These questions (and more) addressed by Bryan Moore, President and CEO of DBA Architects.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 16, 2023
Coastal Construction Group establishes an attainable multifamily housing division
Coastal Construction Group, one of the largest privately held construction companies in the Southeast, has announced a new division within their multifamily sector that will focus on the need for attainable housing in South Florida.
Affordable Housing | Feb 15, 2023
2023 affordable housing roundup: 20+ multifamily projects
In our latest call for entries, Building Design+Construction collected over 20 multifamily projects with a focus on affordable housing. Here is a comprehensive list of all projects in alphabetical order.