The mixed-use residential residence at 897 College Street West, known as College West Suites, is managed by Roxborough Communities. Located in Little Italy, this 8-storey mid-rise redevelopment is comprised of 112 residential suites, including 13 rental replacement suites, 76 new rental suites and 23 condominium units, known as The Carvalo Residence.
The appeal of the building is accentuated by the essential retail locations at street level, eclectic shops and restaurants that surround the property, direct access to the College Street transit corridor and two levels of underground parking. The indoor and outdoor amenity space is significant and designed for resident appeal and usage. Indoor amenities include a fully equipped fitness room, kitchen, yoga studio, games room, and a large meeting room/workspace, while outdoor amenities include a substantial rooftop terrace with outdoor grills and multiple seating areas. The Carvalo Residence also maintains a private terrace adjacent to its wine tasting room and library.
The Toronto Green Standard Tier 2, Version 2, was applied and successfully achieved for College West Suites. The buildings’ sustainability elements, such as enhanced energy performance, reduced indoor and outdoor water use, and high-quality landscape and public realm design promote the well-being of residents while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and long-term operating costs.
This Toronto Green Standard Tier 2 development incorporates a range of high-performance, resident-focused sustainability measures:
Secure long-term bicycle parking is provided within the building, including multiple stacked bicycle rooms with a total of 121 long-term spaces, complemented by additional 4 outdoor racks for short-term visitor use. These facilities encourage active transportation and reduce reliance on private vehicles.
The project includes high-albedo roofing materials and extensive permanent shading created by upper-storey stepbacks, together with over 75 per cent compliant at-grade hardscape using SRI-rated concrete. These measures significantly reduce heat absorption and support improved thermal comfort in the surrounding public realm.
The landscape design incorporates native and drought-tolerant plant species supported by a high-efficiency irrigation system. This system, combined with efficient zoning and drip technology, achieves ≥50 per cent reduction in potable water use for irrigation.
Low-flow plumbing fixtures, including high-efficiency toilets, faucets, and showerheads, reduce indoor potable water consumption by 33 per cent compared to standard fixtures. These selections contribute to substantial annual water savings for residents and the building operations.
Each residential suite is equipped with a dedicated energy recovery ventilator (ERV) that delivers fresh filtered outdoor air directly into the suite while recovering energy from exhaust air. This system enhances ventilation efficiency, reduces heating and cooling loads, and supports clean, filtered air for occupants.
The project incorporates a series of high-performance energy conservation strategies that reduce overall energy consumption and improve thermal comfort for residents:
College Street Properties Inc.
370 King Street West, Suite 805
Toronto, ON M5V 1J3
Studio JCI
20 De Boers Drive, Suite 525
North York, ON M3J 0H1
RWDI
625 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M5V 2B7
Reinbold Engineering Group
207 Queen’s Quay West, Suite 501
Toronto, ON M5J 1A7
Nemetz (S/A) & Associates Ltd.
3500 Dufferin Street, Suite 301
Toronto, ON M3K 1N2
Land Art Design Landscape Architects
220 Duncan Mill Road, Suite 419
Toronto, ON M3B 3J5
Gillam Group
1415 Lawrence Avenue West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M6L 3C3