202 Jarvis Street
Toronto Metropolitan University is preparing to move forward with a new project that will provide additional academic space for our community, most of all the Faculty of Science. The university has submitted an application to rezone a surface parking lot at 202 Jarvis Street so that Toronto Met can build when funding becomes available.
Toronto Met is proposing an innovative mixed-use building that includes an institutional base, a residential tower, and retail space on the ground floor. The academic portion will provide classroom and meeting space, research labs and departmental offices.
Primary team role |
Provider |
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Toronto Metropolitan University project director | Mark Dettweiler, Facilities Management and Development |
Toronto Metropolitan University planning and development | Nic De Salaberry, Facilities Management and Development |
Architect | Zeidler Architecture, external link in association with Henning Larsen Architects, external link. |
Consultant role | Provider |
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Accessibility (AODA) |
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Acoustics and vibration |
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Arborist |
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Building Code |
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Building envelope |
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Civil engineering |
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Elevators |
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Environmental and geotechnical services |
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Finish hardware |
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Furniture fixtures and equipment |
RCG Inc. |
Heritage |
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Landscape architecture |
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LEED |
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Legal |
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Mechanical and electrical engineering |
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Retail, food services, waste management |
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Science lab architecture |
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Space Planning | Resource Planning Group, Inc., external link in collaboration with Ryerson Facilities Management and Development |
Structural engineering |
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Subsurface Utility Engineering |
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Sun/Shadow |
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Surveyor |
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Transportation |
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Urban Design and Municipal Planning |
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Wind engineer |
Gross floor area: Approximately 565,000 square feet
Building height: 45 floors (44 plus mechanical systems)
Institutional space: 13 floors (approximately 383,000 square feet)
Retail space: Approximately 1,800 square feet
Residence space: 29 floors (approximately 180,000 square feet)
Residence capacity: Approximately 570 students
Functional programming:
- Teaching laboratories
- Research space
- Active learning and informal student study space
- Academic office and main office administrative support
- Science gallery and event space
- Retail services/food services
- Building services, shipping and receiving

The project reflects the seven goals of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Campus Master Plan:
- An urban campus: Leveraging our downtown location as an Urban Campus while promoting dense, mixed-use vertical growth.
- A welcoming campus: Designing physical spaces that reflect the diversity of the community and foster social and physical inclusion.
- A vibrant and animated campus: Increase placemaking opportunities in public spaces that animate the street and reflect Toronto Met’s values and initiatives to Indigenize campus.
- A campus with a strong sense of identity: Creating a sense of arrival through intuitive wayfinding and signature landmarks that enhances “pride of place” and celebrates Indigenous history and knowledge.
- A place of scholarly, research and creative activity: Creating inspirational teaching spaces that supports research, innovation and pedagogy while championing sustainable design and flexibility for long-term academic needs.
- A quality environment: Delivering excellence in building and open space design that fosters equity across campus and provides quality spaces for all aspects of their academic journey.
- A place of health and wellbeing: Creating a home away from home that provides diverse and affordable residential options and supports social, cultural and environmental wellbeing.
- The proposed building is designed to promote active forms of transportation by improving the pedestrian experience with an outward-looking building that interacts with its surroundings. It features a generous number of bicycle parking spaces.
- The location has several public transit options with an east-west streetcar (505 Dundas) and north-south bus (141 Downtown/Mt Pleasant Express) that provide links to the subway, which is also within walking distance.
- Vehicular access is provided via Jarvis Street with service and loading activities taking place underground to minimize the impact of the building on surface movement.
- There is sufficient capacity in nearby public and Toronto Met-owned lots to absorb the removal of the parking lot.
- The landscape design is an extension and fulfilment of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Public Realm Plan, creating a pathway towards the core of the campus.
- Connected open spaces create a linear connection through the site, and active frontages with entries on three sides of the outward-looking façades.
- The main floor lobby contains informal and event-style learning spaces, a café and retail components.
- Open spaces are inviting and accessible to the university community, visitors and the general public.
- Design elements improve the Dundas Street East frontage with landscaping and amenities.
- The proposed, mixed-use building is designed to respect the context of the built environment around it.
- The large podium structure of the main academic complex reflects the built form of the north and west streets.
- The slim tower design mirrors the neighbouring towers while reducing its shadow impact and meeting City of Toronto Tall Building Guidelines.
- The development responds to City policy for fostering growth and development in the Church-Jarvis corridor.
The journey to get the project underway
Stage | Current Timeline | Status |
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Community consultation | Jan. 2017- June 2019 | Complete |
Application preparation |
Oct. 2018 - Dec. 2018 |
Complete |
Rezoning and Official Plan Amendment review |
Dec. 2018 - Winter 2021 |
Complete |
Schematic design and site plan amendment preparation |
Spring - Summer 2022 |
Happening now |
Site plan amendment review |
Fall 2020 - Summer 2023 |
Happening now |
Building permit application |
To be determined |
Questions?
For comments or questions about this project, please contact Nic de Salaberry, director, planning and development, by email at desalaberry@ryerson.ca or by phone at 647-824-7165.