Working with an ambitious client, MOSS SUND was able to obtain approval for the first laneway suite in Toronto to have 2 dwelling units.  This conversion of an existing concrete masonry garage into two open, functional, and light filled living units addressed the clients desire to add separate living units for his tight knit but growing family.  MOSS SUND worked closely with the community and city planners to address concerns about density and adding a new building typology to the neighbourhood. The result is a beautiful reuse and addition that exceeds the requirements of the client and the city. 

Designed for a contractor we have worked with for many years, this project is an investment property.  Tight timelines meant the proposal had to be permitted ‘as of right’ ie, it had to meet all the City of Toronto zoning by-laws.  

MOSS SUND proposed removing an existing rear addition from the main house to allow for the separation required between the existing house and new laneway suite.  Additions to the main house were kept modest to avoid variances.  The result is 3 desirable 1 bedroom units – contributing much needed rental stock to the City.

We love working on laneway suites!  They provide an opportunity to have a bit of fun animating the oft forgotten back lanes of the city while creating human scale intensification in the downtown core. 

This Two-bedroom laneway suite was designed with versatility in mind.  A rental unit in the short term, it will later serve as a home for the owner and can be converted back into a garage in the future, if need be.

The mature trees in the back of the property presented a challenge, but we found a way to preserve and celebrate them in the design.

A garage door facing the laneway will brighten up the alley with a mural commissioned from a local graffiti artist.

Green Features

• Net zero

Changes were made to the City of Toronto’s Official Plan
and Zoning By-laws in February of 2022 permitting garden
suites to be constructed ‘as of right’ where the proposal
meets the various requirements of the City of Toronto
Zoning By-law and the Ontario Building Code.

These suites are typically connected to the main house
services, cannot be severed and sold separately and
must be used by the owner or as a rental. It’s an exciting
development – an opportunity to create more options for
rental housing and increasing affordability for Toronto
homeowners.

Garden Suites are transforming the city – revitalizing our
neighborhoods, introducing better housing options,
increasing property values, and providing flexibility to
property owners to rethink how they live.

Garden Suite uses include:
– Rental income suite
– In-law suite
– Additional space for growing families
– Home office or studio

Changes were made to the City of Toronto’s Official Plan
and Zoning By-laws in February of 2022 permitting garden
suites to be constructed ‘as of right’ where the proposal
meets the various requirements of the City of Toronto
Zoning By-law and the Ontario Building Code.

These suites are typically connected to the main house
services, cannot be severed and sold separately and
must be used by the owner or as a rental. It’s an exciting
development – an opportunity to create more options for
rental housing and increasing affordability for Toronto
homeowners.

Garden Suites are transforming the city – revitalizing our
neighborhoods, introducing better housing options,
increasing property values, and providing flexibility to
property owners to rethink how they live.

Garden Suite uses include:
– Rental income suite
– In-law suite
– Additional space for growing families
– Home office or studio