6-Storey Hotel Proposed in Toronto's Kensington Market

A new six-storey boutique hotel could bring a distinctive mixed-use development to the heart of Toronto's Kensington Market.

Plans filed with the City call for redevelopment of 309-311 Augusta Avenue with a 43-room boutique hotel designed by Joel Gerber Architect. The project would replace two existing one-storey commercial buildings, including a laundromat and the former Bikes on Wheels location, which is currently vacant.

In addition to the hotel rooms, the development would include a multi-level restaurant, ground-floor commercial space and a distinctive architectural design intended to fit within the historic character of Kensington Market.

The proposal will require City approvals before demolition and construction can proceed.

Existing Buildings Would Be Demolished

BlogTo reports that the development site currently contains two one-storey commercial buildings along Augusta Avenue.

Under the proposal, both structures would be demolished to make way for the new six-storey development.

The project team describes the redevelopment as an opportunity to intensify the underutilized property while maintaining the pedestrian-oriented character that defines Kensington Market.

The replacement of the existing low-rise buildings with a mid-rise hotel will require the development team to carefully address the property's heritage district location during the planning and approval process.

43-Room Boutique Hotel Planned

The primary component of the development will be a boutique hotel containing 43 guest rooms.

At six storeys, the building has been designed to introduce additional density while reducing its visual impact from Augusta Avenue.

The first three floors would extend toward the existing street frontage, helping maintain the established building line along Augusta Avenue.

Upper floors would then be set back from the street, reducing the apparent height of the building when viewed by pedestrians and helping maintain the low-rise character of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Yellow Crown Creates Distinctive Architectural Feature

One of the project's most recognizable design elements will be a vibrant yellow crown at the top of the building.

Rather than using a conventional flat roofline, the crown will incorporate playful house-shaped forms intended to reference the rooflines found throughout the surrounding neighbourhood.

The combination of the upper-level setbacks and distinctive crown will give the hotel a contemporary appearance while responding to the scale and architectural character of Kensington Market.

Multi-Level Restaurant Included in Plans

A significant portion of the development will be dedicated to a fully licensed restaurant extending across multiple levels of the building.

The main commercial kitchen will be located on the ground floor.

Dining areas are planned for:

• Basement level
• Ground floor
• Sixth floor

Satellite kitchens and restaurant support spaces will also be incorporated into the building.

The restaurant component could require substantial commercial interior construction, including kitchen equipment, ventilation and exhaust systems, plumbing, electrical service, fire suppression, refrigeration and specialty restaurant finishes.

Additional Ground-Floor Commercial Space

Additional retail space is planned for the ground floor.

The space could function as an extension of a cafe or be used to provide additional services for hotel guests.

Together with the restaurant, the commercial component is intended to maintain an active street frontage along Augusta Avenue rather than creating a hotel entrance dominated by lobby space.

This ground-floor configuration will be particularly important because of the project's location within one of Toronto's busiest pedestrian-oriented neighbourhoods.

Kensington Market Heritage District Shapes Design

The property is located within the Kensington Market Heritage Conservation District, making heritage considerations an important part of both the design and approval process.

The designation adds requirements governing demolition, alteration and new construction within the district.

According to the project team, the proposed hotel has been designed to preserve the character of the existing streetscape.

Keeping the first three floors closer to the Augusta Avenue frontage while setting back the upper floors is one of the primary strategies being used to introduce a six-storey building without overwhelming the existing low-rise street. Keeping the first three floors closer to the Augusta Avenue frontage while setting back the upper floors is one of the primary strategies being used to introduce a six-storey building without overwhelming the existing low-rise street. 

Construction Trades Involved

If approved, the 309-311 Augusta Avenue project could create opportunities for a range of contractors, subcontractors and suppliers, particularly those experienced with tight urban sites, hospitality construction and commercial restaurant build-outs.

Potential trades include:

• Demolition contractors
• Excavation and site preparation contractors
• Shoring and underpinning contractors
• Foundation and concrete contractors
• Structural steel contractors
• Masonry contractors
• Building envelope contractors
• Window and glazing contractors
• Roofing and waterproofing contractors
• Architectural metal and specialty fabrication contractors
• Mechanical contractors
• HVAC and ventilation contractors
• Plumbing contractors
• Electrical contractors
• Fire protection contractors
• Elevator contractors
• Commercial kitchen contractors
• Kitchen exhaust and fire suppression contractors
• Refrigeration contractors
• Restaurant equipment suppliers
• Carpentry and millwork contractors
• Drywall and insulation contractors
• Flooring contractors
• Tile and stone contractors
• Painting and wall-covering contractors
• Hotel room furniture, fixtures and equipment suppliers
• Lighting contractors and suppliers
• Retail and restaurant interior fit-out contractors
• Signage and architectural feature contractors

The multi-level restaurant and boutique hotel use will make interior construction an especially significant part of the project, with specialized hospitality and food-service contractors potentially required throughout the building.

City Approvals Still Required

The boutique hotel remains in the planning stage and will require City approval before construction can begin.

No construction start or completion date has been announced.

If approved, the project would replace two one-storey commercial buildings with a substantially more intensive mixed-use development containing 43 hotel rooms, restaurant and commercial space.

For Toronto contractors and suppliers, the proposal is notable not only for the new six-storey construction but also for its specialized hospitality and restaurant components. The project's location within the Kensington Market Heritage Conservation District will add another layer to the development process, requiring the team to balance new construction with the scale and character of the surrounding historic neighbourhood.