Broadway Avenue Stacked Townhouses 

Overview

A stacked townhouse infill project designed to introduce missing-middle density within a traditional Toronto residential neighborhood.

Located on a 59 × 125 ft lot, the development delivers six residential units within a compact, context-sensitive form—balancing increased density with a cohesive and refined architectural expression.

The Challenge

• Intensifying a mid-size urban lot within a low-rise residential context

• Achieving higher density while maintaining neighborhood compatibility

• Organizing multiple units with efficient circulation and clear identity

• Maximizing long-term value through unit mix and layout efficiency

The project required a strategy that could increase yield without compromising livability or streetscape quality.

The Approach

The design organizes the building into three unified volumes, establishing a clear and legible massing strategy.

Key moves include:

• Volumetric Clarity: Grouping units within a simple, repeatable massing system

• Curved Roof Form: Continuous arched roofs soften the overall profile and reduce perceived scale

• Contextual Integration: Aligning proportions and rhythm with surrounding residential fabric

• Cohesive Expression: Maintaining a unified architectural language while subtly articulating individual units

The result is a building that reads as both distinct and contextually grounded.

Design Strategy

The project reinterprets the stacked townhouse typology as a compact, high-performance housing model.

• Ground-level units provide efficient one-bedroom layouts suited to rental or flexible occupancy

• Upper units are organized as larger two-bedroom homes across two levels

• Generous glazing introduces natural light deep into each unit

• Subtle façade shifts define entrances and unit identity without fragmenting the overall composition

This approach balances density, livability, and architectural coherence.

Unit Distribution

The six units are efficiently configured to support a range of living and investment scenarios:

• Units 1–3: ~68 sqm (Level 1)

• Units 4–6: ~134 sqm (Levels 2 & 3)

The mix supports both owner occupancy and rental income, enhancing long-term flexibility and value.

Envelope & Material Expression

A restrained material palette reinforces clarity and durability:

• Light-toned façade panels establish a clean, contemporary identity

• Dark window frames provide contrast and depth

• The curved roofline introduces a softer, sculptural silhouette within the streetscape

The envelope balances modern expression with contextual sensitivity.

Outcome

• Six-unit intensification within a low-rise residential fabric

• Efficient, permit-ready design aligned with zoning constraints

• A clear and replicable model for missing-middle housing in Toronto

• Enhanced streetscape presence through controlled form and material expression

Project Type

Missing-Middle Housing

Stacked Townhouse Development

Urban Infill

Key Takeaway

This project demonstrates how thoughtful massing and unit organization can deliver increased density while maintaining clarity, livability, and long-term value within Toronto’s evolving neighborhoods.

PROJECT DETAILS

Client: Private

Stage: Schematic Design

Architect: Iman Raeisi

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Area: 606 sqm