09/22/2026
2720 Danforth is the third Missing Middle mid-rise, purpose-built rental buildings planned for Toronto. Conceived as a cohesive portfolio, the projects share a common set of design principles, architectural details, and a distinct branded aesthetic.
There has been significant discussion and momentum around developing new housing models in Toronto, with recent by-law amendments focused largely on enabling gentle density at a smaller scale. Mid-rise housing, however, is not new to the city. For decades, buildings of this scale have formed an important part of Toronto’s streets and neighbourhoods.
The mid-rise typology has been negatively complicated in the past decades by prescriptive setback requirements, loading demands, and other municipal policies that resulted in complicated massing, inefficient floor plates, and compromised design.
This intermediate scale provides bylaw and planning flexibility allowing for more streamline massing and infrastructural simplicity. With many compelling historic examples of buildings that combine meaningful density with architectural character and a strong relationship to their neighbourhoods.
The 2720 Danforth project replaces two low-rise commercial buildings and surface parking with an eight-storey, 64-unit residential development that integrates an existing heritage structure.
Where several previous proposals for the site were unsuccessful, this project introduces a distinct massing strategy that accommodates the required density while allowing the heritage building to remain an integral part of the composition. The building volumes are arranged to define a private internal courtyard, creating a shared outdoor space that also organizes the primary residential entrances.
Conceived as a communal garden for residents, the courtyard functions as the building’s shared backyard—a flexible gathering space with informal seating, generous landscaping, and lush, naturalistic planting.
