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Photo by FitzroviaWe independently select everything we recommend. Buying through us may earn us a commission, which supports our work.The Marlow purpose-built rental community is one of Toronto’s most closely watched redevelopment sites, and not only because of its high-profile location at Bloor and Dufferin. Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorFor one thing, developer Fitzrovia’s trio of 19-, 22- and 32-storey towers stands on former Toronto District School Board property that was long part of the Dufferin Grove neighbourhood’s civic fabric. For another, Marlow is repurposing the historic Kent Public School, a Beaux-Arts building built in 1908. And last but certainly not least, the project is updating local rental housing stock — much of which predates 1980 — with 898 new units, nearly 60 percent of which offer two or three bedrooms. As Marlow prepares for phased occupancy this summer, the master-planned Bloor Crossing community that surrounds it is taking shape. Made up of five residential towers spanning Marlow and Hazelview Properties’ two-tower Station House — the latter launched its leasing campaign in February — the broader community also includes an eight-storey affordable housing building to be conveyed to the City of Toronto, a City-owned community hub and daycare, a new bus-accessible public road, and a soccer pitch-sized public park on Croatia Street. “This is real city-building,” says Fitzrovia founder and CEO Adrian Rocca. “It’s not just another project with small condos.” Indeed, one of Marlow’s more notable features is the preponderance of multi-bedroom units that Rocca says are much larger than those typically seen in the condo market. “We’ve made a big call on young families and downsizers. It’s a segment of the market that’s been overlooked. Two- and three-bedroom units don’t typically sell well, but they actually lease much better.” The site’s heritage elements, meanwhile, are “being restored and reintegrated into daily neighbourhood life,” Rocca says, noting that Fitzrovia is preserving the original Kent Public School and adapting it for new uses, including a community hub and child-care centre. “We’re respecting the past while building something that serves today’s families and residents.” The child-care component is tied to Fitzrovia’s broader effort to serve households with children. Marlow residents have preferred access to Bloomsbury Academy, an in-house daycare and early childhood education centre offering Montessori-inspired programming for children aged 18 months to six years. “If you’re going to attract young families, you have to figure out an onsite school solution,” Rocca says. “We wanted to be part of that solution and not just wait on partnering up with the public sector.” Marlow’s amenities include an indoor basketball court, a sports lounge with multi-sport simulators, wellness centre with sauna and cold plunge, pet spas, rooftop and indoor pools, outdoor terraces, lounges, entertainment kitchens, karaoke rooms, screening rooms and co-working spaces. Photo by FitzroviaThat approach extends to design, operations and programming. Rocca says Fitzrovia tries to tailor buildings to specific renter groups rather than creating a uniform product. “We don’t want to be a generic offering and try to be everything to everyone. Because of the size and scale of this master plan, we have the ability to target certain buildings to certain segments of the market and then create a whole amenity program around that.” Marlow’s amenities are indeed extensive: A commercial-grade gym and yoga studio, an indoor basketball court, a sports lounge with multi-sport simulators, wellness centre with sauna and cold plunge, pet spas, rooftop and indoor pools, outdoor terraces, lounges, entertainment kitchens, karaoke rooms, screening rooms and co-working spaces. Residents also receive in-suite Rogers WiFi and Cleveland Clinic Canada memberships that provide access to 24/7 virtual healthcare services. Rocca says the amenity and service packages reflect the operating realities of purpose-built rental, where developers tend to remain involved long after leasing begins. “In our business, we’re selling every single day. As soon as you open the front door of not only your lobby, but also your suite, you have to make sure you make the right first impression.” To ensure lease renewals, those impressions need to endure. “We talk about our product in 30-year durations,” Rocca says. “We do a lot of resident satisfaction surveys and focus groups, and we tour lots of projects internationally and bring those ideas to Toronto.” Leases start at $2,600 a month. More information: marlowlife.ca Three things First opened in 1937 and recently restored, the Paradise Theatre now operates as a multi-arts venue, pairing film screenings and live programming with the Blue Door Wine Bar and Café Paradise. Sugo restaurant keeps things classic with Italian-American comfort food: red-sauce pastas, sandwiches and salads served in a lively no-reservations room. A Bloor Street fixture for Toronto cyclists, Sweet Pete’s offers bikes for road, trail, gravel, commuting and kids alongside full-service repairs, custom builds, bike fitting, rentals and Sunday group rides to High Park. Join the Conversation This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.