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M A R C H 2 0 2 5 | 75 West House R EN D ER I N GS CO U RT E S Y 3 X N WEST HOUSE by LAURIE JONES A new addition to Toronto's King West neighbourhood, West House offers a luxury rental option for those looking to move into a premium living space. This 17-storey development features 307 residential units, ranging from studios to penthouses, with sweep- ing views of Toronto's skyline, Lake Ontario, and the iconic CN Tower. Alongside the stunning residences, the building includes 38,000 square feet of retail and commercial space, making it a standout in the area. "The building itself complements the dynamic vibe of King West," says Alexandra Khazzam, manag- ing director at Hines. "Its carefully designed amenities reflect the com- munity's unique blend of creativity and modernity, making it a gate- way to the area's stylish eateries and nightlife. West House offers not just a home, but a lifestyle immersed in the essence of Toronto's liveliest neigh- bourhood. This premier address provides unparalleled proximity to some of the city's finest dining, shop- ping, and entertainment venues." Adding to the luxury experience for residents is a 26,000-square-foot, resort-inspired fitness club offer- ing full-service amenities, including outdoor exercise areas, a high-res- olution sports simulator, and a chic speakeasy lounge. The building also provides 24/7 lifestyle services, such as pet concierge, private chefs, fitness training, wellness coaching, home and car cleaning, as well as an inte- rior design partnership with CB2. Apartment features include exclu- sive private balconies for every residence, premium appliances from Bosch, Thermador, and Wolf, and luxe quartz countertops. Thoughtful layouts are flooded with natural light, while custom closet spaces and bespoke storage solutions add a per- sonalized touch. The luxe penthouse collection offers expansive ceiling heights and premium finishes, elevat- ing the living experience even further. Designed by world-class Danish architect 3XN, the property's ameni- ties include a sky-high rooftop retreat. "The initial concept for the rooftop amenity was to create a large seating area that faces the pool and over- looks the waterfront," says Matthias Altwicker, senior architect at 3XN. "On the fourth-floor amenity space, the design evokes a sense of being within the city, featuring a beautiful cantile- vered deck set back from the sidewalk while still maintaining a connection to the street. It offers stunning views all the way down the city's corridor." Altwicker also highlights one of West House's most striking features: its extensive façade, which includes a pat- tern of metallic and white mullions and porcelain panels on the lower floors. The large, two-tone balcony dividers, in beige and cinnegold, give the build- ing a dynamic visual that changes from different angles and at various times of day, depending on the light. He explains that, given the building's size within the neigh- bourhood, they focused on breaking down the mass by shifting volumes back and forth. "This required some smart structural engineer- ing solutions, which the team worked through together. We explored sev- eral options before landing on one that was relatively straight- forward for Bird Construction to execute. It takes a team to make it all come together, and seeing it come to life was a fun moment." Bird Construction's manager notes a shift in Toronto's high-end rental market, with the trend now lean- ing toward buildings that resemble New York. "It used to be that condos offered more resident-focused ame- nities, but that has changed. West House not only offers exceptional lifestyle options, but its design also exudes luxury, with porcelain pan- els and a high-end façade system." In addition to 17 storeys of residential space, the building's parking garage spans two-and-a-half levels. Eight elevators have been installed, three of which are dedicated to residents. One of the challenges the team faced was installing a one-piece, stain- less steel pool on the roof. "It was built locally and trucked to the site. We had to lift it with a mobile crane, which was quite an effort, but it went smoothly." Working in the downtown core presented its own set of challenges, particularly given West House's proximity to a TTC line with active streetcar traffic. "Two new sta- tions for the Ontario Line, which will extend to Ontario Place, are being built across the street, and a tunnel for that line runs directly beneath our project," he explains. With an anticipated opening of spring 2025, West House is sure to be another iconic structure in the fab- ric of the Toronto landscape. A LOCATION 88 Bathhurst Street, Toronto, Ontario OWNER /DEVELOPER Hines ARCHITECT WZMH Architects / 3XN GENER AL CONTR ACTOR Bird Construction STRUCTUR AL CONSULTANT Entuitive MECHANICAL /ELECTRICAL CONSULTANT MCW Consultants LIGHTING DESIGN CONSULTANT Salas O'Brien L ANDSCAPE ARCHITECT Janet Rosenberg + Studio INTERIOR DESIGN Soucie Horner Design Collective TOTAL SIZE 312,000 square feet TOTAL COST Undisclosed

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