Rush Condos
- Location
- Toronto, Canada
- Client
- The Alterra Group of Companies
- Expertise
- Architecture
- Completion
- 2022
- Size
- 94,305 sq ft
Rush Condos brings a modern twist to Toronto’s King, Spadina area, blending seamlessly into this historic neighbourhood, known for its warehouses and lively street art.
This 15-storey, 125-unit development is right at home in the Heritage Conservation District, which focuses on both preservation and urban renewal. The building provides affordable, central living options and puts residents within easy reach of parks, Lake Ontario, and the St. Andrew’s and Union subway stations, making it easy to get around and enjoy the best of the city.
The entrance on the ground floor nods to Rush Lane, also known as “Graffiti Alley,” by incorporating controlled graffiti, connecting with the neighbourhood’s artistic vibe. The woven red-brick façade references Toronto’s fashion district and gives the building an industrial feel that honours the area's heritage. The podium block lines up with the street’s scale, while the upper floors step back to allow for light and views, keeping the look inviting and connected to the streetscape.
Designed with sustainability in mind, Rush Condos maximises its space to reduce its environmental impact. The structure’s mid-rise design respects height limits, ensuring it doesn’t dominate the skyline, while also lowering energy needs, eliminating the requirement for an additional mechanical floor. A green roof adds another eco-friendly layer, offering a natural air filter, reducing storm water runoff, and supporting local biodiversity.
RUSH's personality takes its cue from the historic warehouses characteristic of this part of the city. The simple podium block reinforces the street scale with the upper stories set back to promote light and views. The woven brick facades are a nod to the burgeoning fashion district location. The weave pattern accentuates the simple form or the building in a very pleasing way.
Residents can enjoy features tailored for urban living, from large windows and balconies to unique additions like oversized bike storage, a car elevator, and even climbing walls. These amenities create a sense of community, and the building’s design supports social connections, blurring the lines between public and private spaces. Art and activity are encouraged in and around the building, showcasing that creativity isn’t confined to galleries, but is part of the everyday cityscape. Rush Condos exemplifies Toronto’s vision of a greener, more connected urban environment. It’s a sold-out success, blending vibrant street culture with modern, sustainable design to create a place that’s as welcoming as it is innovative. This project reflects a broader goal, to create inclusive, sustainable spaces that enhance city living for everyone.
“We expect that there will be street artists taking advantage of the new façade on the lane side of the building, and I’m sure they’ll make their mark … we think it will be a real enhancement to the building, and it’s something that’s definitely very important to the neighbourhood.”
"Rush Condos has a contextual design that responds to the deep history of Toronto’s former garment factory neighbourhood. The two basic components of weaving, warp and weft, are expressed through whimsical ‘threads’ of precast brick at the buildings base and as colourful top-hat metal panel at the upper levels.
"The ground floor adds to the building’s robust personality as it is ever-changing – designed specifically to invite and receive graffiti onto two facades. To see people taking selfies with our project as a backdrop is high praise! The project is more than a building – it is a member of the community – a willing participant."
