GEORGIE BINKS
JULY 27, 2024
In Bloor and Grace area, north of Little Italy, vibrant, moody floral patterns by artist Chris Perez on Bickford Park Laneway Suite enlivens laneway.
Says architect Craig Race: “We created the canvas, and Greenstreet selected Chris Perez to bring his vibrant, moody style of floral patterns to breathe life into the laneway.”
The renters, two lawyers, Eric and Alessandra, love the size and location of the laneway home near Bickford Park. “Taking our dog out is a breeze,” they say. What about the striking mural artwork on this home? Meh!
For developer Leonid Kotov, president of Greenstreet Flats in Toronto, laneway housing is the future. “We develop and build purpose-built, missing-middle rental buildings. As part of our strategy, we often include laneway suites or garden suites.”
In the case of Bickford Park Laneway Suite, in the Bloor and Grace area just north of Little Italy, Greenstreet purchased the original home, a single-family house, adding four units to the main house and a laneway suite of 1,152 square feet in what was originally a garage, at the back.
Kotov says the key priority of developing a laneway home is creating an efficient and comfortable space. “We want residents to feel they are living in a home that’s just as good, if not better, than a traditional house. In fact, laneway homes can often be more attractive due to their lower noise levels compared to street-facing houses. We focus on creating functional layouts where every square foot is utilized efficiently, ensuring comfort and convenience.”
Craig Race of Craig Race Architecture, worked with Kotov on this project and has collaborated with him on others. “Their knowledge of construction and approach to preserving the existing building is critical in guiding design decisions. They also have an intimate understanding of what units are most attractive to renters in the area, so their insight on ideal room sizes and configurations helps us create units that appeal to families, couples, and roommates alike.”
What makes this laneway home stand out is the colourful mural on its laneway facing wall. Race says, “This project was perfect for a mural. The number of window openings meant a large amount of solid wall was available for decoration. Cladding the project with stucco was very cost-effective, and it provided a surface that was perfect for art. We created the canvas, and Greenstreet selected Chris Perez to bring his vibrant, moody style of floral patterns to breathe life into the laneway.”
What do Eric and Alessandra, the tenants, think of the art work on the outside of the home? It seems it’s become a fixture.
“We like it, its unique, but we don’t notice it too much anymore.”
When it comes to laneway suites, managing light, views, and privacy is always a balancing act, Race says. “For this project, we chose to focus the majority of openings on the laneway side to minimize exposure to the units in the main house.”
He says the two-bedroom, two-bathroom home has changed the laneway. “The addition of the laneway suite has infused the area with character and vitality. Increased foot traffic and a vibrant atmosphere have made the laneway feel more welcoming. Plus, the striking artwork by Chris Perez adds a unique touch that draws admirers from the neighbourhood.”
