The First Rendering of the Highly Anticipated SQ2 by Tridel
By Lucas on May 28, 2015
One of the most highly anticipated master-plans in the city is Tridel’s Alexandra Park (which is pretty great for Tridel, considering one of the other most highly anticipated master-plans is the Bayside Toronto community on the waterfront in the east end). So, why are we so excited about Alexandra Park? Tridel just released the first rendering of SQ2, the second residential phase of the community!
It was about two years ago when Tridel first released the concept rendering for SQ, and that got everyone’s attention. There’s really nothing in downtown Toronto that resembles this multiple-cube design, kind of reminiscent of Moshe Safdie’s Habitat ‘67 in Montreal. The interesting design was just what the city needed to get excited about the Alexandra Park revitalization. It was a pretty big deal when Tridel and Toronto Community Housing gathered for the first demolition to make way for SQ.
“As a residential community, it [the Alexandra Park development] has the power not only to revitalize the urban landscape, but also the lives of people who live here,” said Steve Upton, Vice President of Tridel, at the demolition party. “It means a lot to them to be able to see buildings knocked down, new lifestyles start, and new communities start to grow.”
Recent news in Toronto has surrounded Toronto’s inability to cater to those in need of affordable housing. Tridel is doing their part by creating many options for high quality affordable units. At Bayside Toronto, there are 80 affordable units planned so far, with more to come. When Alexandra Park is fully complete, there will be nearly 500 refurbished rental units and more than 300 new replacement rental units.
SQ2 - via Tridel
Another reason Alexandra Park started receiving a lot of attention last year was because Vogue ranked Toronto’s West Queen West area as the second “coolest” neighbourhood in the world. The magazine said West Queen West was Toronto’s best kept secret, calling it a “verifiable artery of indie patisseries, homegrown labels, and hidden-from-view galleries– hallmarks of hipness, if ever they existed.”
Also, we visited the Alexandra Park neighbourhood for our Walkability series last year, and the area scored a 97 out of 100 on WalkScore.com. Unsurprisingly, the Transit Score is 100 thanks to the 24-hour Queen streetcar and the Bathurst streetcar. The actual park in Alexandra Park isn’t huge, but features a skateboard park, baseball diamond, ice rink, and outdoor pool. Plus, Tridel will be adding to this park!
As far as info about SQ2 goes, the building was designed by Teeple Architects, and the interior spaces are designed by Union 31. There will be a total of 169 units. SQ2's amenities will include a fitness centre with yoga and Pilates studio, a party room, a private dining room, an outdoor terrace with BBQ stations and dining space, as well as a whirlpool and sundeck. And, if we were to speculate, we would say that SQ2 looks like it might have some retail space on the ground floor.
If you want to be the first to know more about SQ2, register now! There are also a few remaining units are SQ, ranging from 552 to just over 1,000 square feet, with prices starting in the mid $300,000s.
Pop by the SQ presentation centre at 519 Queen Street West Monday to Thursday from 11 am to 7 pm, or on weekends and holidays from 12 pm to 6 pm, and you can call 416-661-1949 with any inquiries.
UPDATE: New rendering!
