Toronto’s skyline is poised for another dramatic transformation as Elysium, in partnership with International Property Group Inc., moves forward with its plans for a 69-storey rental tower at 164–168 Isabella Street. The ambitious project will redefine the Sherbourne and Isabella corridor while preserving three historic homes that have stood on the site since the late 1800s.
Project Overview
Located just west of Sherbourne Street and adjacent to Gabby’s Isabella Hotel, the redevelopment site includes the heritage-listed John Holderness House (164 Isabella), Henry J. Larkin House (166 Isabella), and the heritage-designated J. Bedford House (168 Isabella). These homes, dating from 1887–1888, will be carefully integrated into the new tower’s base, maintaining a tangible link to the neighborhood’s past while introducing cutting-edge urban architecture.
Yahoo Finance reports that Elysium purchased the properties in mid-2023 and has since developed a plan that combines preservation with progress. The tower, designed by Studio JCI, will soar 225 metres above the city, ranking it among Toronto’s tallest structures. Once complete, it will stand as a symbol of how modern development can coexist with heritage architecture.
Design and Architectural Vision
Studio JCI’s design draws inspiration from the layered history of Toronto’s downtown core. The plan incorporates the existing heritage facades into a sculptural podium that anchors the glass and steel tower above. The tower’s vertical form is defined by elegant setbacks and façade articulation, ensuring that despite its height, it complements rather than overwhelms its surroundings.
Inside, the building will house 660 purpose-built rental units, a slight reduction from the initial 700-unit concept. The mix will cater to a wide range of tenants, from single professionals to families, with a variety of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts.
Heritage Preservation and Adaptive Integration
One of the project’s standout features is its approach to heritage conservation. The three 19th-century homes on the site will be retained and restored, forming part of the tower’s podium. Specialized restoration crews and masons will handle delicate work to preserve original brickwork, stone details, and architectural ornamentation.
By blending old and new, the design celebrates Toronto’s architectural lineage, a move that has become increasingly rare in the city’s development boom. For the construction trades involved, this presents both challenge and pride—restoring structures over 130 years old while integrating them into a modern high-rise foundation.
Structural and Construction Elements
From a construction standpoint, the 69-storey tower presents a technically complex build requiring coordination between multiple trades:
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Demolition and Site Prep: Careful removal of non-heritage additions and stabilization of heritage facades.
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Deep Foundations and Shoring: Necessary to support a structure rising 225 metres.
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Steel and Concrete Framing Crews: Working with vertical formwork systems to ensure precision and efficiency.
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Façade and Glazing Teams: Installing high-performance curtain walls designed for thermal and acoustic performance.
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Mechanical and Electrical Trades: Outfitting the tower with energy-efficient systems to meet Toronto’s green building standards.
These technical demands create opportunities for skilled labor, with hundreds of construction and restoration professionals expected to contribute throughout the build.
Sustainability and Transit-Oriented Design
The proposed development sits within two Protected Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs), steps from Sherbourne Station on the TTC’s Line 2. This classification allows greater height and density while emphasizing reduced car dependency. A focus on sustainable mobility aligns with the project’s commitment to environmentally responsible design, including energy-efficient materials, low-carbon construction practices, and green roofs.
Community and Economic Impact
Elysium’s CEO, Sayf Hassan, calls the project “the best of what purpose-built rental can achieve in Toronto’s downtown: transit access, sustainable design, heritage conservation, and much-needed housing supply.” The development will create hundreds of jobs during its construction phase and provide long-term employment opportunities in property management and maintenance.
The addition of new rental housing is especially significant given Toronto’s housing shortage. With condominium projects frequently delayed or cancelled, large-scale rental developments like this one offer a more stable path to increasing supply.
Timeline and Next Steps
Elysium has filed zoning and Official Plan amendment applications with the City of Toronto to move the project forward. Once approvals are secured, construction could begin within the next two years. Given the complexity of both heritage restoration and high-rise engineering, the project will likely take four to five years from groundbreaking to completion.
Conclusion
The 69-storey tower at 164–168 Isabella Street is more than just another addition to Toronto’s skyline—it’s a showcase of adaptive architecture and construction ingenuity. By preserving historic homes while building upward toward the future, Elysium and Studio JCI are setting a precedent for responsible urban intensification. For workers in the construction field, it’s an opportunity to participate in one of Toronto’s most technically challenging and symbolically important projects.
