It may not reach the heights of Willy Wonka’s everything-is-edible room, but The Plant, a new mixed-use community planned for Toronto’s West Queen West neighborhood, puts an emphasis on surrounding residents with food.
It is this focus on food that differentiates The Plant from other mixed-use projects. “It might seem extreme, but we orientated this entire project around our connection to food,” says Gary Eisen, Partner at Curated Properties, in a release.
The majority of the building’s amenities are food centric, such as an internal greenhouse to cultivate seeds and act as a nursery for starting up plants and an industrial style kitchen designed to host seasonal preparations of food and host social events.
Each unit comes with custom micro-garden beds for fresh herbs built into sidecars in the kitchen. The units also all come with balconies or terraces with space for plants, furniture, and a barbeque. Angular construction enables sunlight to flow into the suites to aid in growing plants indoors.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
“The balconies and terraces at The Plant are really more like an 8-story porch,” says Jonathan Westeinde, CEO of Windmill Developments, in a release. “They have their own structure, with railings and lattices, as well as a thermal break. So not only are they large and spacious, but they’re orientated to work with the sun and encourage plant life to take hold.”
In addition to the residential aspect, the mixed-use community will offer ground floor retail and office space on the second floor. It is the hopes of the developers that the business and tenants that rent out these spaces will share the same ideals of sustainability and social responsibility.
Curated Properties and Windmill Developments have teamed up on the 10-story building that will offer units ranging from one-bedroom suites to four-bedroom townhomes. The main goal of The Plant is to work towards a self-sustaining, self-reliant residence and be a beacon for “agri-tecture.”
A total of 77 units will be included in the project with prices starting at $500,000.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
Rendering courtesy of Curated Properties.
Related Stories
Mixed-Use | Jul 22, 2015
Despite China's 'ghost cities,' the country continues construction boom
Cities continue to spring up in the heart of China. Designed to accommodate millions, many are still nearly empty.
High-rise Construction | Jul 13, 2015
Herzog & de Meuron’s triangle tower stirs controversy in Paris
The 590-foot glass pyramid building will include a 120-room hotel, 754,000 sf of office space, and cultural facilities.
High-rise Construction | Jul 7, 2015
Bjarke Ingels designs Frankfurt skyscraper with a surprise in the middle
Several levels in the center of the 185-meter tower are shifted outward to allow for terraces with city views.
Cultural Facilities | Jun 10, 2015
Artists turn oil tankers into architecture
Four Dutch artists propose transforming tankers into monuments with mixed-use space.
Wood | Jun 2, 2015
Michael Green Architecture designs world's tallest wood building for Paris competition
“Just as Gustave Eiffel shattered our conception of what was possible a century and a half ago, this project can push the envelope of wood innovation with France in the forefront," said architect Michael Green of the project.
Smart Buildings | May 28, 2015
4 ways cold-climate cities can make the most of their waterfronts
Though cold-climate cities pose a unique challenge for waterfront development, with effective planning waterfront cities with freezing winter months can still take advantage of the spaces year-round.
Sponsored | Coatings | May 14, 2015
Prismatic coatings accent the new Altara Center
This multi-use campus will contain a university, sports facilities, medical center, and world-class shopping
Mixed-Use | May 10, 2015
Construction on Orlando’s massive ‘innovation hub’ is finally starting
The $1 billion Creative Village development will create a business and education hub.
High-rise Construction | May 6, 2015
Two new designs submitted for New York City Riverside Center
Both designs reference the cantilevers and other elements featured in architect Christian de Portzamparc’s original masterplan for the complex, which has now been scrapped.
Building Owners | May 6, 2015
Hackathons and RFCs: Why one developer killed the RFP
In lieu of an RFP process, Skanska Commercial Development hosted a three-week "hackathon" to find an architect for its 2&U tower in Seattle.
