Harhay and Carttera Propose 34-Storey Condo for Esplanade Site

Harhay Developments and Carttera Private Equities have submitted a proposal to the City of Toronto for a 34-storey condominium to be located at 75 The Esplanade, at the southwest corner with Church Street. Currently a surface parking lot, the building would mostly hide from view the above-ground Green P parking lot at the foot of Church Street.

Designed by architectsAlliance, the building would essentially be arranged in three volumes with a 7-storey podium roughly equal in height to the Novotel to the west of it fronting on The Esplanade, an 11-storey podium roughly equal in height to the garage and residential building to the south of it fronting on Church Street, and a 34-storey tower rising behind both. A second floor outdoor amenity area including a pool and terrace deck is proposed for the southwest corner of the site beside the Novotel.

The skin for the project's podium sections is proposed to be brick, while punched windows are arranged in an alternating pattern on every second floor. Canopies over the sidewalks are proposed at ground level with double-height retail space front The Esplanade. The retail space would include a mezzanine.

The Esplanade was rebuilt last year after underground services were upgraded. The north side opposite this proposal includes a wide boulevard with several patio spaces for the street's restaurants and bars.

The design should be considered preliminary as the building has just entered the planning process, and in fact the renderings are basic, omitting some details such as private rooftop terraces proposed for the top of the podium.