Hazelview has embarked on an exciting new plan to increase Toronto’s rental supply while simultaneously revitalizing an existing apartment building. Located at 73 and 75 Broadway Avenue, the project merges the old with the new, blending urban design with eco-friendly features in a landmark approach by the Canadian developer.

“This project is significant for us because we see it as an opportunity to address two of our sector’s biggest challenges in one location,” says Colleen Krempulec, Managing Partner and Head of Sustainability. “First, we are building and adding much-needed rental housing on previously underutilized urban land, and second, we are decarbonizing an aging multifamily building, bringing the 10-storey, 1960s-era asset up to modern sustainability standards.”

The refurbishment at 75 Broadway, in conjunction with the construction of the adjoining tower, is expected to be complete by mid-2025. Plans include upgrading the existing building’s common area and fitting each unit with electrical pumps to reduce natural gas consumption. High-performance building envelopes, sustainable electrical distribution, EV charging stations and other decarbonizing measures will feature prominently at both sites.

“As a Canadian residential developer, this really is a ground-breaking effort,” Krempulec says. “Not only will we be increasing rental supply in the heart of midtown Toronto but decarbonizing and improving sustainability through measures that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95 per cent, further contributing to the city’s sustainability goals.”

All told, the project will result in 520 energy-efficient suites, 336 new and 184 upgraded. While some of the original tenants have remained in place throughout construction, occupancy at the new building is expected to begin in Q2 2025. The tenant base will likely include a mix of young professionals, couples, and starter families given the present demographics of the Yonge & Eglinton node. As such, a mix of unit sizes, from bachelors to three bedrooms, will be available.

Building aesthetics

Architecturally, this isn’t your standard multifamily high-rise built on the site of a former parking lot. The renderings depict a gleaming 38-storey tower soaring over its vintage neighbour in a bold and salient statement.

“We had to remove some of the west section of the existing 10-storey building, then we bolted on the new tower, which cantilevers over the top of the existing building creating a striking effect,” Krempulec says. “This approach allowed us to create bigger floor plates and optimize the space while minimizing the square footage on the ground. It’s the first time we have ever bolted two residences together, giving tenants a through-way between the structures so they can access the shared amenities, which are really comprehensive.”

Hazelview currently operates more than 23,000 rental units across Canada, with a large pipeline of new developments underway. This includes three towers at Bloor and Dufferin, bringing another 1,000 rental suites to the city’s inventory in the near term. Like the infill project at 75 Broadway, Krempulec says Hazelview’s approach to optimize underused urban land while also creating a sustainable living environment is driving most of the company’s new developments.

“Increasing density through infill brings more supply to areas people want to live, and does it with innovation at the forefront,” Krempulec says. “We really feel that innovation and sustainability are central to everything we do, whether it’s upgrading an old asset or building something new. From a technology perspective, we are committed to investing in Buildtech, Cleantech and Proptech through our subsidiary, Hazelview Ventures. One of the benefits of this is that we get access to some of the leading-edge technologies that are coming to market to support sustainability and property management initiatives.”

In fact, Hazelview recently piloted a new technology that utilizes drones to scan the exterior of a building and identify opportunities for energy improvements. From leakages to structural deficiencies, the knowledge gained in a matter of days can help building owners eliminate carbon emissions while reducing building maintenance and ownership costs. As Krempulec points out, this also eliminates the intrusive nature of building audits while speeding up access to important information about the building condition.

“All of this helps us continue to improve our current multifamily stock and attain our broader decarbonization goals,” she says. “We are always looking at new technologies and innovative ways to help us solve our challenges.”

Innovative and sustainable features at 73 and 75 Broadway:

• A striking cantilevered façade spanning floors 10 through 22, maximizing square footage and living space while minimizing the building’s footprint.
• Over 15,000 square feet of shared amenities, including a fitness centre, co-working space, rooftop terrace, and lounges.
• A high-performance building envelope to facilitate climate control, sustainable electrical distribution, waste diversion, and a focus on sustainable transportation including EV charging stations and dedicated bike stalls.
• Mechanical and electrical upgrades, energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, and eco-friendly materials to improve air quality and reduce the site’s carbon footprint.
• Electric heat pumps at the existing building to deliver a 95% GHG reduction of the heating system, in addition to seeking CaGBC certifications for green building standards.

For more information on this and other projects, visit: Hazelview Properties