An interesting proposal has surfaced for a 33-foot lot on Commercial Drive at the corner of Napier Street. The site, which is improved with a 2-storey heritage commercial building built in 1908, is now being planned for heritage preservation with an infill apartment building at the rear lane.
Details of the proposal include:
- retaining the existing 2-storey Heritage B building (now occupied by Moja Coffee)
- a new 5-storey infill residential building with 8 rental apartment units at the rear of this site;
- a maximum height of 48.5 feet;
- a density of 2.70 FSR (10,108 SF);
- one-car share parking space having vehicular access from the lane;
- removal of one street tree on Napier Street.
Under the site’s existing C-2C1 zoning, the application is conditional and requires the approval of the planning department. For this project, relaxations would be required on building height and some setbacks. The application references incentives under the Rental 100 program.
View from Napier St – existing heritage building on the right
View from rear lane
The architect for the project is Cornerstone Architecture.
The property was listed for sale in 2013 and sold for $1,690,000, which equates to approx. $125 per buildable SF when the existing building is taken to account.
