The Reina condo project, a boutique mid-rise fully developed and designed by women, is one step closer to rising in Etobicoke, Ont. as it’s set to begin construction.
A significant gender gap among leaders in the development industry inspired Taya Cook of Urban Capital and Sherry Larjani of Spotlight Developments to ‘change the narrative,’ and bring together a team of women across industries, from construction to sales.
Reina, which means Queen, was designed by an extensive community consultation process and uses forward-thinking design to resolve common pain points of condo living.
“It feels wonderful to be at this stage in our journey now, getting ready to deliver on our promise of a community-first mixed-use building that doesn’t compromise on style,” says Cook. “It is our hope that young women continue to consider development for their future careers so that we can better incorporate their diverse perspectives in city-building.”
“To be at our ground-breaking now demonstrates the powerful energy created when women direct on real estate developments,” adds Larjani. “We’re so proud to be here and the market response is a testament of the strength of vision of our all-women leadership team. Let’s keep the momentum going and continue to champion diverse projects across our industries.”
The year-long community consultation process into Reina’s development gathered feedback and varied perspectives from multigenerational families, parents with young or adolescent children, and single people.
After listening to and reviewing feedback, Reina’s resulting design is a contemporary mid-rise with large, flexible floor plans and an amenity program geared towards fostering community between residents and neighbours. Amenities are sized at 25 per cent larger than guidelines established by the City of Toronto and include a gym and fitness studio strategically located by the kids’ playroom with windows for parents to keep an eye on their children.
Other amenities include a hobby room, a snack shack inspired by a consultation with the Girl Guides, a sound(less) room for meditation, music lessons, or karaoke among other activities, as well as a library, parcel room, a games room and a community room. A property manager will be hired and provided a budget to actively program these spaces and build community.
Picketed balconies wrap around Reina’s exterior as the building steps back, with beautiful south facing views of the new oasis-like courtyard and Etobicoke’s lakefront.
Architecture by BDP Quadrangle features a subtle white brick exterior with soft curves and rounded corners with generous setbacks on the east and west to activate the public realm. A series of picketed balconies offer beautiful south-facing views overlooking the 6,500-square-foot exterior courtyard with barbecues, harvest tables, shared outdoor workstations and a children’s play area.
Live-work suites on the ground floor are designed for multigenerational living offering two entrances, a full-sized kitchen, and a smaller kitchenette for families with adolescent children or aging parents in need of an in-law suite. Stroller parking is available on almost every floor while suites are arranged to maximize storage opportunities or support add-ons. Additionally, a higher proportion of generously sized two and three-bedroom plans are offered.
Feature photo: FRONT ROW (L – R) Sahar Borodinas (Electrical Engineer, MCW Consultants Ltd.), Wendy Chase (Surveyor, R. Avis Sureying Inc.). MID ROW (L – R) Frances Hahn (Interior Designer, BDP Quadrangle), Mara Nicaolou (Construction – Urban Capital), Manali Pradhan (Lawyer – Harris Sheaffer LLP). BACK ROW (L – R) Sunhwa Kim (Interior Designer, BDP Quadrangle), Nataliya Tkach (Hydrogeologist, EXP), Stacy Meek (Project Manager, EXP), Lisa Ward Mather (Associate, Urban Strategies), Eve Lewis (Sales, Marketvision), Lisa Spensieri (Architect, BDP Quadrangle), Taya Cook (Development – Urban Capital), Heather Rolleston (Architect – Quadrangle), Sherry Larjani (Development – Spotlight Development), Mercedes Byers (Energy Consultant – Pratus Group Inc.), Fatima Shakil (Structural Engineer – Adjeleian Allen Rubeli Limited), Oleksandra Onisko (Energy Consultant – Pratus Group Inc.), Tina Pham (Construction Manager, Bluescape), Jane Almey, (Construction Manager, Bluescape), Fung Lee (Landscape Architect, PMA Landscape Architects).
