Toronto social housing complex revived after standing empty for 18 years

After standing empty for 18 years, a Toronto social housing complex at 50 Torbolton Drive is set to welcome new residents. The 17-unit townhouse complex had been boarded up since 2008, when persistent flooding and mold issues forced its closure. In the intervening years, the building fell into disrepair, with evidence of vandalism and animal intrusion.

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Seeing this, it was like, OK, this is a big challenge.

Adam Pelissero, a former architect now serving as a design manager with the Toronto Community Housing Corp., was tasked with revitalizing the Etobicoke building. Despite the extensive damage and neglect, Pelissero recognized the property's solid foundations and walls, seeing potential beneath the grime. "It's just ugly, and it's in disrepair," he recalled thinking, "But there is something here."

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It’s just ugly, and it's in disrepair. But there is something here.

The $9.7 million renovation and redesign were made possible through federal and city funding unlocked in 2018 via the National Housing Strategy. Sean Baird, CEO of Toronto Community Housing, highlighted that this investment is significantly less than the cost of constructing a new building of similar capacity. He stressed the importance of preserving existing housing stock, noting, "We need more housing. But if we’re not careful, we could end up losing some of the housing we have quicker than we can build new."

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We need more housing. But if we’re not careful, we could end up losing some of the housing we have quicker than we can build new.

A key challenge was mitigating the risk of future flooding from Berry Creek, which runs behind the property. The solution involved blocking off the basement and filling it with gravel. This innovative approach, inspired by gabion structures used to stabilize shorelines, allows water to pass freely under the building, preventing it from backing up into the units. Pelissero described it as, "the water can come in, the water can go out, but the house above still stands."

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It’s the same idea, the water can come in, the water can go out, but the house above still stands.