On the shores of Lake Ontario, Oakville's Bronte Village could become home to a distinctive 20-storey tower designed by Winnipeg's acclaimed 5468796 Architecture. Since the Lake & East project—which has since been redesigned—came to light early last year, the development has attracted its share of both praise and criticism, with Oakville's Town Planning staff recommending a denial of the development in July. Now, with the proposal formally appealed to the OMB in October, a sales launch is being prepared for the end of the year.
A rendering of the project, image courtesy of Symmetry, Fortress, Engine
Spearheaded by the team of Fortress Real Developments, Engine Developments, and Symmetry Developments, the 20-storey condominium takes its name from its location on the southeast corner of Lakeshore Road and East Street. Situated some 150 meters from the water, the project would join Bronte Village's somewhat eclectic mix of typologies, with the site neighbouring both a high-rise tower and single-family homes.
The site as it appears now, image retrieved via Google Maps
To the south, a 17-storey residential tower is one of Bronte Village's taller towers, with a cluster of 6 to 20-storey buildings dotting the lakeshore to the east. As such, the 144-unit condominium's scale is not unprecedented for the area, though 5469706's unique design—which replaces a single-storey commercial structure—would certainly broaden the neighbourhood's character.
Aerial view, image courtesy of Symmetry, Fortress, Engine
While the tower would be certain to stand out amongst the neighbouring mid-century slabs, the design incorporates elements of its surroundings into a playful new typology. Vertically transposing the semi-private green spaces of single homes across the body of the tower, the design introduces elements of the backyard into high-rise living. Meanwhile, the anodized aluminum screen framing the site at ground level is meant to foster a retail-enriched outdoor 'living room' experience below. The tower is also angled as to minimize its impediment on existing views, with the massing intended to preserve sunlight to the 17-storey building immediately to the south.
The design incorporates individual 'backyards' onto the tower, image courtesy of 5468796
In the coming months, the OMB will adjudicate the proposal in regards to Provincial planning and growth policy, weighing local opposition against broader regional objectives and policies while evaluating how the project fits into its urban context.
The ground level, image courtesy of Symmetry, Fortress, Engine
We will keep you updated as the project makes its way through the planning process, and more information becomes available. In the meantime, our previous story offers a closer look at the project's amenities and suite interiors. To learn more, make sure to also check out our associated dataBase file, linked below. Want to share your thoughts? Leave a comment in the space below, or join the conversation in our Forum.