Located east of Toronto’s downtown core, 115 Larchmount is a mixed-use purpose-built rental building that occupies the site of a former 7-Eleven store. Clad in different shades of brick that mesh with the immediate context, this six-storey residential infill project — heated and cooled by a geothermal system — contributes context-appropriate density to Queen Street East and diversifies the housing stock in Leslieville, a neighbourhood largely defined by single-family homes.

The building takes its design cues, inside and out, from the surrounding urban fabric and the neighbourhood’s industrial legacy. The interiors scheme — including the lobby, corridors, amenity spaces, and units — emphasizes details, colour, and craftsmanship inspired by Leslieville’s manufacturing history. Our lobby design, for example, features custom terrazzo with distinctive metal accents and inlays as well as eclectic tile layouts consisting of different patterns and colours that honour the vibrancy of the neighbourhood. The mailboxes are enclosed in a finely detailed smoked oak cabinet that sits next to a custom leather bench. 

With 47 units and a mix of suite sizes that feature studios as well as one, two, and three bedrooms, 115 Larchmount offers choice to a wide variety of potential tenants. For the model suite — a 722-sf one-bedroom apartment with a layout that is ideal for a professional couple — we used a colour palette and selected furnishings that are decidedly urban but also serene, offering a reprieve from the bustle of city life. With this target demographic in mind, the plan includes a work-from-home nook off the kitchen and a double vanity in the bathroom. We prioritized items that have personality and wider appeal, with special consideration for furniture, materials, colours, and textures that honour the neighbourhood’s dynamic character. Natural patinas, pops of saturated colour, and a selection of furniture that includes local vintage items infuse the décor with distinction and a touch of whimsy, forging cohesion between the unit and overall building design.

Opening out directly to the wrap-around rooftop terrace with expansive views of Lake Ontario and the city’s skyline, the tenant lounge at 115 Larchmount was conceived as an intimate and uplifting gathering space. With a cozy area for socializing, reading, or watching a movie, the lounge features bespoke touches, including a tailor-made media unit and custom wall paneling as well as a kitchen and dining room that accommodate larger get-togethers. Every intervention across the communal spaces was thoughtfully considered to enhance tenant comfort and enliven the everyday.

Images: doublespace photography