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Design / Liberty House

GIVE ME LIBERTY

Toronto’s Liberty Village has gone through a striking metamorphosis, illustrating how a city grows and
transforms. With a history steeped in manufacturing; churning out carpets, toys and washing machines,
its current incarnation is all about community cohesion.

Today’s Liberty Village is a hive for young professionals and artists, and only a short Uber ride from
Toronto’s bustling core and hospitality scene. Many of the old factories in this formerly heavy industrial
area have been repurposed as lofts, while others have become restaurants, gyms, and furniture stores. It’s
no surprise that Liberty House, designed by Figure3, reflects this shift and emphasizes the togetherness
and social connectivity that is deeply rooted in this youthful, energetic community.

“Liberty House provides an exquisite level of finishing and a hospitality-inspired approach, designed
to amplify social connection and provide seamless ease of living.”

Located at the eastern edge of Liberty Village, Liberty House brings an elevated rental experience to
this vibrant Toronto neighbourhood. A host of hotel-like amenities and services are housed within an
art-forward, London-inspired design.

“One of the unique features of this project is the focus on lifestyle, connection and experiences that cater
to the target market,” notes Domenic De Freitas, Figure3 Principal. “Using local art and sophisticated
design details, Liberty House comes together in a way that feels very natural and organic within the
neighbourhood’s surroundings.

The London influence comes alive with a collection of furniture that adds character and an infusion of
colour, paired with traditional design elements like wall paneling and crown mouldings. Megan Hayward,
Senior Team Leader at Figure3 states, “There is a high level of finishing not typical of a purpose built
rental, with rich materiality and stunning details in the common areas and the suites that makes it feel
like home.”

Local art is displayed throughout the common spaces, adding character and points of interest
throughout the building that a include custom art panel in the games room, and a unique mixed media
installation in the fitness centre. “Liberty House embodies the unique essence of the neighbourhood
with eclectic styling and an art-forward approach” states Hayward.

“It provides an exquisite level of finishing
and a hospitality-inspired approach, designed to
amp up social connection and ease of living.”
/ Domenic De Freitas, Principal, Figure3

Liberty House suites include upscale kitchens with full-size appliances, streamlined panel-ready
dishwashers, Ceasarstone counters, and a wine fridge; features rarely offered in a rental environment.
The linear design in thekitchen and living area provide for an easy flow and helps to maximize the space.
High-quality finishes are selected for exceptional design and beauty as well as durability. Corridor
details like personal entry lights and gold accents create a welcoming experience.

The hospitality-inspired lobby has more zones for connecting, including a bar with high-top seating
and a fireside lounge with artwork prominently displayed throughout the space. To enhance and
strengthen social bonds, there’s a community kitchen and dining room, a vintage arcade room, a
terrace putting green and outdoor movie theatre. Just off the lobby, an elaborate parcel room
packs a stunning visual punch with bold colours and graphics while providing convenient and
secure parcel storage.

Liberty House Social Club offers exclusive access for residents, making it easy to connect with friends,
family and neighbours while grilling on the rooftop, playing on the putting green, or kicking back in the
outdoor movie theatre. Residents can carve out some tranquility in the yoga room, join a group
meditation in the Zen Garden, or lounge by the rooftop infinity pool, surrounded by cabanas with
incredible views of the city and waterfront. Amenities and common spaces are thoughtfully laid out
to cater to a socially active community and provide ample flexibility to entertain. Features
like the dry sauna, spin room and towel service accentuate the luxury experience.

“Liberty House brings a level of rental living not common to Liberty Village, an area that is typically
known for condos,” De Freitas explains. “It taps into a whole new market, providing an elevated lifestyle
for long-term occupancy. A concierge and staff are dedicated to maintaining the building and assisting
residents, much like in a boutique hotel.”

Design / Menkes Developments Ltd.

THEORY OF EVOLUTION

Much like the Menkes family itself, Menkes Developments Ltd. has evolved over the generations. What
Murray Menkes started 70 years ago as a developer specializing in single-family homes, now includes
a vast array of multi-disciplinary projects that continue with his three sons Alan, Steven, and Peter, and
together they will usher in the next generation to sustain the Menkes legacy.

With headquarters located across the 12th and 14th floors of 4711 Yonge St. in North York, Menkes was
ready to reimagine the office environment, and with the help of Figure3, welcome a newly designed
space that reflects the company’s forward-thinking approach.

Figure3 Principal Suzanne Wilkinson notes “Menkes wanted to transition from a traditional layout, where
the perimeter offices and closed-off spaces felt dark and dated; we focused on maximizing light and
creating a cohesive, collaboration forward design with a nod to hospitality”

As staff and visitors exit the elevators on the 14th floor they are immediately welcomed into a warm and
open reception area. Concealed wooden doors allow for full access, with a guest lounge that unfolds
into a comfortable space to relax as you wait to be ushered in.

Elevated furniture pieces with fabrics soft to the touch are positioned on a custom carpet that
incorporates the signature Menkes blue. A work bar is located off to the side of the reception area and
allows for a variety of impromptu conversations with a casual energy that reflects the Menkes culture.
Floating planters on metal screens create a slightly whimsical edge and add to the layered approach.

To improve the organic collaboration opportunities, and provide more option for meeting spaces, a
coffee bar was installed on the 14th floor and a large café provides the perfect social hub on the 12th floor.

The cafe has a moody bistro feel with a mosaic marble inlay floor, ribbed felt acoustic panels in Menkes
blue, and harvest tables for communal dining; perfect for working, socializing, and celebrating. The space
features high contrast furnishings against pale wood walls and banquettes inspired by the Four Seasons
Hotel Toronto – a crown jewel development in the Menkes portfolio. A bulkhead clad in mirror spans the
entire perimeter and custom light fixtures give the space a glamorous, private club-like feel. “This new
environment, although fresh and modern has a sophisticated and warm feel that creates a welcoming
atmosphere for Menkes employees, their partners, and clients” says Creative Director, Tamara Rooks.

“One of the biggest design moments is the
dramatic wall that rises behind the quartz stairs
that sit just off the café and joins the 12th and
14th floors, creating a stunning visual and
functional connection.”
/ Tamara Rooks

One of the biggest design moments is the dramatic wall that rises behind the quartz stairs that sit just
off the café and joins the 12th and 14th floors, creating a stunning visual and functional connection. The
Menkes family handpicked eight slabs of green-tinged Avocatus marble from Portugal which features a
highly energized veining throughout each panel – evoking images of butterflies, petals, and flying birds.
Threaded bars that serve as a railing on the 14th floor descend through to the 12th floor and create an
informal screen that separates the staircase from the café while maintaining an open feel. Natural
daylight filters throughout the space and biophilic elements, such as natural wood and plants, create
a balanced design between the different floorplates.

“Celebrating their longstanding success as a developer, is very important to Menkes” states Rooks,
“for example a model display on the 14th floor is not only a show piece for their developments
but it also illustrate how the Menkes story weaves into the city landscape.” The model sits alongside
the Menkes Story which is told as a series of images of key developments and their relation to the
city of Toronto. Curated works of art are featured throughout the space, highlighting Menkes deep
appreciation of art. The team worked with an art consultant to help curate the perfect collection
of Canadian artists.

“The transformation has been incredible” says Rooks, who notes that the last time she was at the
headquarters she witnessed many casual conversations throughout the office referencing how the
newly designed space has influenced the overall culture. Sean Menkes, Vice President, Office/Retail at
Menkes Developments notes, “Previously, our organization was spread over multiple floors throughout
the building, which negatively impacted collaboration. Today, whether formal or informal, each of our
divisions are collaborating more, and I’m sure this will pay dividends over decades to come with
an improved culture and continued success.”

Design / The Brixton

SIMPLY SMASHING

GIVING THE BRIXTON, A DOWNTOWN TORONTO PURPOSE-BUILT RENTAL, A BRITISH ACCENT.

In today’s market, buyers aren’t looking for modern transitional, cookie-cutter condos anymore, according
to Dominic De Freitas, Principal, Figure3. “Through our research we understand that millennials and
Gen Z don’t want the uber modern. They want eclectic with character and history, they want a home that
tells a story.”

But breaking out of the mold requires fresh thinking. Developer Adrian Rocca, the CEO of Fitzrovia Real
Estate, sought a unique, dynamic approach for The Brixton, his brand’s new three-tower purpose-built
rental. Rocca is impressed by heritage properties adapted by modern design in London, exposing parts
of the older buildings. “I find a lot of projects in Canada are overly curated. They’re almost
too perfect,” says Suzanne Wilkinson, Principal, Figure3. “Europeans are more confident in mixing
things up where they display a collection of interesting pieces, old and new, and it just works.
This is the approach we took with the design of The Brixton.”

“Through our research we’ve understood
that millennials and Gen Z don’t want
the Uber Modern. They want eclectic,
they want stuff that tells a story.”
/ Dominic DeFreitas

Located in a formerly industrial part of Toronto near Liberty Village populated by warehouses,
The Brixton’s A and B Towers feature lobbies with exposed ceilings and ductwork, a nod to the region’s
manufacturing history. A wood grid, which looks like a coffered ceiling, gives it a veneer of history.
Another key element driving home the English look is the wood inlay parquetry (inspired by a floor
pattern design from an English palace). Grasscloth wall coverings, wingback chairs, crown mouldings
and marble wainscotting are more traditional decor elements in the lobby.

“The furniture is reminiscent of traditional furniture but we did a modern twist with a cameo back
dining chair. Every element we chose has a traditional spin to bring character to the project and
integrate it with the industrial shell,” De Freitas explains.

Tudor-style box paneling is used behind the Nero Marquina reception desk in Tower B and the effect
is similarly eclectic. Suzanne Wilkinson observes, “You’ve got modern furniture mixed with traditional
pieces of different eras creating a curated over time feel.” Parquet flooring is inset into poured concrete
in front of the reception desk. “You’ve got this play of highly finished wood juxtaposed by polished
concrete, which you’d see in any industrial warehouse here in Toronto,” says DeFreitas.

When it came to the amenity spaces, the emphasis was on inclusion. “These spaces were meant to be
used and enjoyed, not locked away,” explains Nadine Burdak, VP Residential Design and Hospitality,
Figure3.

The fitness centres are industrial and raw in nature, but are filled with an abundance of light with the
surrounding perimeter glass. The CrossFit zone is lined with turf with distance markers for dragging
sleds and flipping tires. In the yoga room, cove lighting above the moulding gives a soft, diffused look.
“We’re layering industrial materials with traditional, heavy framed mirrors with modern light fixtures.
It’s a play on traditionalism, modernism and industrialism,” says De Freitas.

In the Tower B party room, wideplank chevron floors are contrasted by concrete columns and burnished
brass light fixtures. “You can do so much in the media room. It’s a bar space, you can play cards, watch
movies, it has an intimate screening room,” says De Freitas. To give it a moody feel the ceiling is painted
black and finished with a Venetian plaster effect. “It’s an intimate space with a VIP feel to it. You could
reserve this space for the Oscars or game night, it’s a nice venue to hang out with friends.”

In the corridors glossy black traditional paneled doors and gold hardware imbue a Georgian character,
typical of Belgravia townhomes. Overhead a brass conduit light fixture crisscrosses the ceiling like
corset lacing. The suites offer a clean blank canvas with light gray wood kitchen cabinetry,
30” appliances, quartz counters and traditional subway tile backsplash.

“When we were younger designers, traditional design details were often thought of as dated, and
so we actively worked against it with a more modern approach,” De Freitas surmises. “However, this
next generation is attracted to something different, and interested in reclaiming the old and making it
cool again. It’s not always possible to use vintage floor planks, or harvest panelling from historic
European buildings, but we can certainly create a connection to that old-world charm by infusing it
into our designs, furnishings and art pieces to trigger an emotional response to that period.”

Design / Cineplex

FIGURE3’S SHOWSTOPPING REMAKE
OF CINEPLEX’S HEADQUARTERS
IN MID-TOWN TORONTO

Everything in the movies is larger than life: big, bold and eye-catching. Since the dawn of Technicolour
in 1917, this medium is about an immersive experience that takes the senses on a journey. So when
Cineplex approached Figure3 about updating their long standing mid-town Toronto headquarters,
it was time to pull out all the stops.

This update wasn’t just about a few special effects: there were functional needs that had to be
addressed. The staff and teams were situated in various parts of the two four-floor buildings, connected
by an atrium. Physical barriers limited access to natural light, impeded intuitive navigation, and left the
staff feeling isolated which limited their interaction. The 8,500-square-foot office simply wasn’t
supporting the employee’s preferred way to work.

CBRE was hired to manage the project and create a workplace strategy, with the goal of rolling the plans
out to the rest of the facility. They conducted an employee survey to determine what was most wanted
in a new workplace. The staff’s wish list for a choice of tools and settings, enhanced informal
collaboration, brand alignment, health and well-being and a sense of community culture.

Using a portion of the space on the ground floor, Figure3 envisioned a pilot project to bring together
2 of their teams, World Gaming and Design & Construction. It allowed the client to test new styles of
work with the intent of applying learnings to future renovation projects. Now with only four private
offices, the space is open, with flexible work stations that encourage employee connection. Flanked at
the ends of some of the workstation rows we wanted to introduce memorabilia shelves where staff
could display artifacts from movies and games the teams were working on,” says Tamara Rooks,
Creative Lead at Figure3.

“The space is meant to reflect the high energy atmosphere that comes with the Cineplex brand. In
their movie theaters and Rec Room facilities the experience is all about providing entertainment. We
wanted to bring that into their office environment in a way that felt appropriate but also provided
that visual stimulation that one experiences at their locations.”

“Cineplex’s new agile office
encourages innovation and collaboration
within their cross functional teams.”

Privacy pods are located throughout allowing for focused heads-down work. Large red tables are
used by construction teams to review architectural drawings and separate the offices and workstations.
A feature a canopy of bulbs overhead is reminiscent of an old-school movie theatre marquee. Large
yellow tables are placed on the perimeter of the workspace for ad hoc meetings, with lights retrofitted
into cages overhead to resemble stage lights on movie sets. Siting the workstations along the exterior
perimeter allows natural light to flow throughout the space.

The meeting rooms appear like a gallery corridor, each resembling lightboxes with graphic imagery
and multi-coloured privacy glazing to ease navigation. The white diagonal lines of the clapperboard
(that iconic Hollywood staple that signals the start of shooting a scene) is applied to the glass panels
separating the offices, which don’t obscure the transparency so light can still filter through.

The theme of theatre and spectacle makes several recurring star appearances throughout the space,
acting as a design version of “Easter eggs” for eagle-eyed film buffs. “The famous line by Renée
Zellweger in Jerry Maguire is immortalized in penny tiles across the office entrance floor to greet
visitors, a playful nod to a great script” says Rooks. In the cafe, a plush red banquette recalls classic
theatre-style seating, while a black and white motif that mimics a clapperboard sandwiches the
Cineplex logo. Hovering above the cafe, a lightbox spells out “Showtime” like a movie marquee.

To separate the entrance, wide ropes are strung as a divider, which serve as a nod to theatre rigging.
Thick ropes are typically used to operate the fly system that lets the stage crew shift curtains, scenery
and other stage effects.

Cineplex’s new agile office encourages innovation and collaboration within their cross functional teams,
enabling the company and their staff to do their best work. The new space is an inspiring environment
creating a strong connection between staff and the consumer by immersing them into the Cineplex
brand and culture. And that’s a wrap.

Design / Transit City

BOLD GESTURES MAKE
TRANSIT CITY FEEL LIKE
A HIGH-END HOTEL

With a brand new subway station steps away, CentreCourt’s Transit City three new towers in Vaughn
is all about beginnings: the excitement of starting with a clean slate. The three 55-storey condo towers
(the tallest in York Region) borrow their name from the clamshell-like facade of the Vaughn Metropolitan
Centre Station and the curvaceous SmartVMC Bus Terminal, which both encapsulate a space-age
modernity.

“The design of the towers is very thoughtful and deliberate, creating a landmark from scratch,” notes
Figure3 Principal, Suzanne Wilkinson. TransitCity has set the precedent for the entire master-planned
community, establishing what the neighborhood will look and feel like, and Figure3 had a significant
role shaping that.”

Wilkinson marvels how every last detail of the first three Transit City towers — there will be six in total
eventually — are memorable. “Diamond Schmitt Architects created a wonderful experience.”

Metal panel borders set the exterior apart; the gold boxes reflect the buildings across the street to set
up the jewel-box interiors. “When CentreCourt came to us, they wanted a new development that would
reflect the nature of this once in a life-time opportunity — to bring an urban “vibe” north,” explains Nadine
Burdak, Figure3 VP of Residential Development. “Central to our work at Transit City is the principle of
restrained luxury.”

Shamez Virani, the president of CentreCourt Developments wanted to recreate the aura of a hotel-style
lobby, so residents walking in the front door feel attended to. To add to the lobby’s sense of grandeur,
the ceiling heights are deliberate with lots of very tall gestures such as elongated bookshelves reaching
up to the ceiling. Wilkinson adds: “There are lots of great colour and shadows with the wood slatting and
screen details in gold. On the lobby walls, we’ve used gold surround, marble and lovely mesh sconces.” A
personal favourite of hers is the old-school gold mailboxes that look pulled straight from a glamorous Art
Deco Hollywood hotel.

“The design of the towers is very
thoughtful and deliberate, creating
a landmark from scratch.”
/ Suzanne Wilkinson

“CentreCourt has had great success in leveraging brand opportunities to help reinforce the lifestyle
they curate for their properties – from creating signature scents to incorporating luxury furnishings
from iconic fashion houses such as Versace and Fendi,” says Burdak. “Here in the first phase of Transit
City they took it to the next level by securing a prominent restaurant brand in a space connected
to the main lobby.”

Burdak emphasizes how gold plays a starring role. “To the developer, CentreCourt, this finish speaks to
a language of elegance, sophistication and luxury: you see it in the gold mesh, light fixtures, sconces and
inlays.” Shamez lived in Shangri-La, “so he wanted to bring that atmosphere to this project, blurring lines
between the restaurant and lobby. It injects the lobby with energy, which is a great approach we see
more developers doing,” Wilkinson adds. “They want to have that hotel feel, when people move in they
want it hotel-ready and the lobby lounge is an extension of the restaurant.”

However, Transit City emphasizes creating a community, as well as creating a lifestyle. Tower residents
are granted a year-long membership to the adjacent 100,000-square-foot YMCA, complete with
swimming pool and basketball courts. As a result the amenity rooms in Towers 1 and 2 didn’t need to
incorporate gym equipment. “The amenities are all aligned on the same floor so they feel like an
extension of one another, even though they’re separate they’re all connected to the outdoor spaces,”
says Wilkinson. In Tower 2 the amenity room is divided into a party room and a golf simulator that
leads outside to the terrace, while Tower 1 has a billiards room.

But the crown jewel has to be the rooftop patios, designed by internationally renowned firm Claude
Cormier + Associés. Since the buildings are the tallest in the area, there are almost uninterrupted views
of the horizon. Towers that seem to stretch up to the sky are landscaped with an abundance of trees,
boxwood hedges, manicured lawns, and oversized planters. Sitting on the generously proportioned
terraces, the feeling is expansive and transportive. “Because the buildings are adjacent to each other
and on the same level, the terraces feel connected, an extension of each other even though they’re in
separate towers,” observes Wilkinson. “They’ve even managed to make it feel like there are hills,
it’s just stunning.”

“This project is such a success as it’s the culmination of an amazing vision of residential and hospitality
living and expert execution,” says Wilkinson. “It was a fantastic collaboration with CentreCourt,
and Transit City speaks for itself as a legacy development.”

Design / Globe and Mail Centre

BREAKING
NEWS

There’s a lot to read between the lines at 351 King St E. A graphic black and white 17-storey tower,
The Globe & Mail Centre could be pulled from the front page of the venerable national broadsheet. But
like the best newspaper reportage, there is truth to be uncovered, stories to be told, and history made to
feel relevant and alive.

Built by First Gulf within the 10 city blocks of what was originally called the Town of York, the Globe
and Mail Centre (which snagged a NAIOP Real Estate Excellence (REX) award for Office Development of the
Year in 2018) sits within the bustling St. Lawrence neighbourhood. This building occupies a storied site,
the former ‘Berkeley House’ was a significant early residence in the Town. Built in 1795 and made from bricks
and covered by stucco, the house was considered “large and rambling, with a somewhat quaint but
stately appearance.”

The Small family, who lived at Berkeley House from 1795 to 1814, were important members of the Family
Compact and the social and political milieu of Toronto. The house was the setting for meetings of the
Executive Council of Upper Canada and in 1813, American troops looted and sacked it during their
occupation following the Battle of York.

Natural honed Piasentina stone floor hand selected in Italy.

Handblown glass light fixture by Bocci, Omer Arbel’s West Coast design firm.

“It’s subtle but we’re peeling back something
modern and integrating the history within and
displaying the old within the space.”
/ Suzanne Wilkinson

During excavation, bits of the house revealed itself, including a bottle of Heinz’s intriguingly named ‘Woozy
Sauce,’ as well as bits of porcelain, remnants of the grand sets of dishes that graced many important dinners.
“A lot of Toronto history has been demolished and lost,” acknowledges Suzanne Wilkinson, Principal at
Figure3, which designed the lobby space in collaboration with Diamond Schmitt Architects. “We wanted
to establish a museum-like environment in the lobby to honour that heritage.”

The Globe and Mail Centre is surrounded by pillars of design, Canadian retailers Nienkamper and plan b, as
well as Italinteriors and Kiosk, purveyors of cutting edge contemporary furnishings. “Initially we conceived of
the lobby as a European piazza, with an illuminated ceiling that mimics the dappled light through the trees,”
explains Wilkinson. To elevate that sense of history, artifacts that were unearthed at the site of
Berkeley House are preserved in jewel box niches in the main lobby, a public arcade that connects King and Front
streets, creating an accessible 24-hour pedestrian connection with retailers, coffee bars and restaurants.

Underfoot, natural honed Piasentina stone floors hand selected in Italy are accented by polished white quartz
slab walls. Overhead, the ceiling appears to get higher as the streetscape grade lowers toward Front Street,
making for an open and bright arcade. Figure3 intentionally contrasted the elevator banks of dark acid-etched
mirrored walls to distinguish the public and private areas.

To celebrate the history of the site, the original foundation walls of the historical Berkeley House are integrated in a seating area near the elevator lobby. The humble stone creates a striking contrast with the
smoothness of the white quartz wall and is lit from above to highlight the rugged texture. “It’s subtle but we’re
peeling back something modern and integrating the history within and displaying the old within the space,”
says Wilkinson.

To bring in softness and reflectivity, a handblown glass light fixture by Bocci, Omer Arbel’s West Coast design
firm, hovers over the reception desk. The glass orbs float like jellyfish in front of a slatted wall backdrop in dark
stained wood, another Canadian nod.

But Wilkinson is quick to point out that Figure3 just didn’t shape the design of the lobby. “Our role in advising
First Gulf began before there was a hole in the ground. We consulted on the efficiency and planning of the
building, encouraging outdoor spaces by having patios and places to go.” It’s important to look forward, to
shape the office of the future that now stands on the grounds of a historic Canadian home. “What are tenants
going to be looking for in the future? Because we’re always considering what tenants, staff and employees
want, in this case: beautiful views, open ceilings, flexibility with raised floor systems and making sure
there are outdoor spaces,” Wilkinson explains.

Made up of 10 vertically stacked blocks of varying heights, the exterior of the Globe and Mail Centre offers
expansive landscaped terraces with unobstructed views of the waterfront and city skyline. “By having this
layered building where the floor plates shift means there are a number of floors that have outdoor spaces like
little balconies.” The Globe and Mail has a space on the top floor with a patio which can be rented for a variety
of special occasions, landmark celebrations and corporate events. Now the building is quite another kind of
gathering point for Toronto’s social fabric.

Design / Grand Central Mimico

A TRANSIT-TAILORED COMMUNITY
ON THE TORONTO HORIZON

Architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe cast a long shadow, aside from his masterful Toronto-Dominion
Centre (Philip Johnson dubbed it the largest Mies in the world). His vision of unencumbered, open
public spaces were freed from the fussiness and architectural fripperies of previous design movements.

Although van der Rohe didn’t design the Ottawa Train station (it’s by seminal Canadian architecture
firm John B. Parkin & Associates) the fingerprints of his International style are very much in evidence.
Described as almost spiritual in design — like a cathedral — the steel trusses are a nod to van der Rohe’s
steel I-beams and convey the visceral experience and excitement of travel itself. Like the steel rails that
crisscross Canada, this station embraces the essential industrial components at its core and elevates
them to something grandiose and awe inspiring.

There’s an almost heroic quality to the exposed steel trusses of the Ottawa station which make up a
contemporary composition so Miesian in architectural inspiration. It reflects the mid-century optimism
of 1966 — when the station was built — when space travel was the newest frontier and technology
drove a new generation of architects and designers.

Often taken for granted pre-Pandemic, travel and movement have become glamorous once again.
The freedom that travel affords has acquired new lustre and is the vital lifeblood of major cities.

“We took the grid language from
the lobby and simplified it into
a glazing system.”
/ Vazken Karageozian

In the lakeside community of Mimico, one of Toronto’s oldest neighbourhoods, the railroad was the
raison d’être for its creation. In 1906, The Grand Trunk Railway opened the Mimico Yards and the need
for nearby housing for railway workers and their families spurred a building boom in the area. As the
yards took root, so did the community. The name Mimico even has transitory roots: it was inspired by
the Ojibway word “Omiimiikaa,” to describe the home of countless passenger pigeons.

Today, Mimico is the site of Vandyk Properties new Grand Central Mimico, steps from the Mimico Go
Station. Spanning four city blocks across 55 acres, it makes up over 2 million square feet of mixed-use
development. This is more than a commuter nexus, it’s a home base nestled along a nature trail that
runs parallel to the Go Train station tracks.

The urban development will feature nine condominiums, a combination of workspaces, retail,
restaurants, markets and a variety of outdoor amenities set beside walking trails and bike paths.
This connectedness makes owning a car practically obsolete.

“To ensure the industrial aesthetic is warm
and inviting, the details we chose in the
furnishing, accessories and lighting make it
attractive and welcoming.”
/ Carl Laffan

To kickstart the hyperconnected project is The Buckinghman: a three-tower condominium built on a
warehouse style podium with ground level retail and office spaces. Figure3 looked to industrial design
for inspiration that’s often seen in old train stations and Manhattan’s Meatpacking District – reimagined
with an elevated, luxurious look.

“To ensure the industrial aesthetic is warm and inviting, the details we chose in the furnishing, accessories
and lighting make it attractive and welcoming,” says Carl Laffan, Creative Lead at Figure3. Clean
lines combined with the strong dramatic form of the buildings echo the grand public halls of an earlier
era of train travel. Metal bracing seen on the outside has been reintroduced in the gallery-esque lobby.

“We took the grid language from the lobby but simplified it into a glazing system,” says Vazken
Karageozian, Team Lead at Figure3. “The geometric shapes are perfectly in harmony with the softer
materials.” The raw industrial components are juxtaposed effortlessly by sumptuous materials like
black marble and brass. “When designing a home for people, you want to create something that feels
special when they walk in,” says Laffan. “That’s what design is about – you’re looking for an
emotional reaction and experience.”

The social club features two bold private party rooms with black marble fireplaces, a private dining
room, and a sports lounge with a golf simulator. To make the most of the double-height ceiling, the
Figure3 team transformed the mezzanine dwelling, originally designated as a mechanical room, into
media rooms that feature karaoke and theatres to amp up social connectivity and provide a source of
community close to home.

Across the terrace, which has been outfitted with barbecues and fire pit lounges, lies a 7,515-square-foot
wellness centre with a fully equipped state-of-the-art gym, and yoga studio. Taking into account the
future of the workplace, the Buckingham has incorporated a flexible co-working space for its residents,
complete with a private meeting room and a spacious outdoor terrace designed by Kohn Architects
and SvN. Rendered in metal, wood, and black marble for a dose of luxury, the versatile setup allows for
residents to work how they please.

When it came time to tailor the suites, Figure3’s approach was refined luxury. A monolithic kitchen with
clean lines and integrated features keeps the look tidy while floor-to-ceiling windows and full width balconies
offer stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

“It’s all about the details, textures and materiality,” says Karageozian, who has worked closely with the
various architecture and marketing teams to perfect the concept throughout The Buckingham. The
expression “less is more” is often attributed to van der Rohe and though he may not have come up with
the actual expression, his work is a reflection of that pure sentiment. Grand Central Mimico interprets
that spirit, celebrating beauty that comes with stripping elements back to their essential nature, clearing
the way for a brighter, connected future and the wide horizon beyond.

Design / The Saint

JAPANESE DESIGN GETS A
CONTEMPORARY REFRESH

A retreat that exudes a sense of calmness, and caters to the wellbeing of the mind, body and soul is how
Dominic De Freitas of Figure3 describes The Saint – an upcoming condo development in Toronto’s bustling
St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.

“Once the project is complete and home owners have moved in, we want them to feel relaxed and comfortable –
like they are living in a retreat or oasis even though it is located in the downtown core,” says De Freitas.

To achieve that calm and collected aesthetic, the team took cues from Japanese architecture and design to explore
its natural materials, symmetrical lines, horizontal and vertical patterning, texture, light and “curated” views
through techniques of screening and reveal.

“When it comes to traditional Japanese design, the beauty is in the simplicity,” explains Dominic De Freitas,
Principle at Figure3, who says that his trip to the East Asian country changed the way he looked at Japanese
design. “There’s an organic element to the design and a biophilic approach that takes it back to nature.”

For The Saint, the style has been captured in a modern and contemporary way, while tying back to the project’s
overall motivation to promote the wellness aspect of healthy living. For this project, De Freitas also experimented
with the use of scale as well as monolithic tiling which are prominent elements in Japanese design.

Before you enter into the main double-height lobby, a wall made up of smaller slates of stone appears to look like
one oversized textured art piece from outside. In front of the stone wall, traditional Japanese wooden doors have
been translated into screens and lit from behind to create a layered look to emphasize the wood panels.

“We want home owners to feel relaxed
and comfortable – like they are living
in a retreat or oasis.”

“This was done so that when a person is in a tall ceiling space and transiting through that space, there’s a sense of
grandeur they experience,” says De Freitas, who believes that setting the right mood, especially here where wellness
is priority, is crucial.

“Mood for me as a designer is created through the use of light and shadow,” he says.

The wellness centre, located on the third floor, features rooms with individual soaking tubs positioned in front of an
expansive window covered in vertical wood slatting.

“I love the idea that through this vertical slatting, the lighting always has a slightly different type of feel depending
on the time of day,” says De Freitas.

Similar wood slatting can also be seen from the serene double-height lounge, which connects the wellness centre
with the fully equipped fitness centre located on the fourth floor. Traditional Japanese zen gardens are featured
here, along with a floor-to-ceiling window that has been designed as a shoji screen made from wood and Japanese
rice paper. This allows for natural light to come in and filter through that screen during the day while at night, LED
lights tucked behind the frame illuminate the space.

In the wellness centre, incorporating water elements was vital to achieving the essence of a spa. There’s a communal
rain chromotherapy room which combines light and colour to provide healing to the body. The meditation room
features a salt rock wall which releases salt into the air as an added benefit of healing properties.

While the health and wellness features offer a more intimate experience, incorporating social amenities into the
design adds a nice counterbalance to the building. On the rooftop, the social spaces include a dining area and a
multi-functional party room designed with modularity and compartmentalization, which can be reconfigured for
the function taking place. The outdoor terrace features quiet zones and more active, socialising areas while the
co-working space has been married with a lounge complete with a bar. To keep the design cohesive throughout
the different levels of amenities, materials such as natural wood combined with stone, slate and
concrete have been re-introduced here.

“It’s very simplistic in nature but we’ve accented it with refined sophisticated screens that delineate the activities
while keeping the space open and communal,” explains De Freitas.

With a mindful approach to everyday life, The Saint possesses a refined, simplicity that exudes a welcoming and
rejuvenating experience to those who will live here, as well as guests visiting.

“Figure3 enriched our vision for the community and their thoughtful design approach is exemplary,” says Matt
Brown of Minto Communities. “We’re proud for The Saint to be recognized as one of Toronto’s most anticipated
residential living experiences.”

Design / First Gulf

A CORPORATE OFFICE
EMBRACING PRIDE OF PLACE

When you first step into the First Gulf office, you’re immediately immersed into an alluring work
space. On one side, you have the private offices neatly tucked away while on the other, a reception
area backed by expansive, panoramic views of Toronto awaits. Located in the Globe & Mail Centre on
King Street East, Suzanne Wilkinson, principal at Figure3, turned to the presidents of First Gulf and
Great Gulf to ensure the core values of both brands were present within the design of the 25,000
square-foot space.

“They were both very polarizing people with very different styles of ownership and management,” says
Wilkinson, who has had a working relationship with the client for 14 years. “We facilitated a visioning
session with both leaders where each had to describe the unique characteristic of their part of the
organization.” The space also had to convey urbanity, creativity, sustainability, and community.
Modern lines mixed with traditional queues was the vision that best represented both the commercial
and the residential side of the client’s business.

Inspiration was also drawn from architecture and its use of raw materials like concrete and natural wood,
which speaks to the philosophy of human intervention with nature and being harmonious of that.

“In order to capture the flow of this very rectilinear building, we softened it by curving
the corners so it would flow better and draw you into the space” explains Wilkinson.

In the private staff area of the office, the atmosphere is kept minimal, bright and clean. Since the space
is designed in a semi open-concept format, it was important to include a mix of smaller meeting rooms
and private telephone rooms to ensure people working in this office had options of places to go. With
the vision of exposing the company culture to all who experience First Gulf’s new headquarters, Figure3
proposed to place their community space and lunchroom – which is often hidden behind doors –
at the forefront, adjacent to the reception and boardroom facility. “This disrupted their way of thinking,”
says Wilkinson.

While the client was used to a more traditional layout, the idea here was to connect potential clients
and visitors to the people of First Gulf in a more hospitable environment. Wilkinson believes that when
employees have pride of place, they emit a sense of ownership and commitment to the organization.
It changes how they feel and behave.

A warm neutral palette with a combination of different woods were used to contrast the raw stone textures
and exposed ceilings seamlessly. The look is very much of a hotel lounge by nature, complete with
a double-sided fireplace, a curated collection of eclectic furniture, a vibrant art collection and a show
stopping backdrop of the city that floods in natural light.

The corridor to the coat storage and bathroom is dimly lit and features a mural of a forest by Tom Fabia,
ensuring every pathway is a curated journey. In the boardroom, a custom light fixture sits directly above
a reflective and sleek table that Wilkinson describes to be “not at all expected but simply beautiful.”

Wall Mural (Alive) ByTom Fabia

Sculpture By Robert Cram

Reception Wall By Joy Charbonneau

You can see an art piece by Robert Cram of a deer that is cast in brass with mechanical air duct coils
wrapped around its body, which is situated at the end of the boardroom gallery.

“You can either be really upset about it or it can inspire while stirring up emotion,” says Wilkinson.
That’s not the only conversation-starter in First Gulf’s office space. Upon entry, you’re greeted by a
medallion-like piece by artist Joy Charbonneau who specializes in creating artwork of geological data
and bathymetry to highlight features you can’t necessarily appreciate in real life. For First Gulf, the
Toronto Harbour was captured, showcasing what exists below the surface of the water.

“We needed to tell the story of how First Gulf and Great Gulf respect nature through sustainability,
innovation and construction,” explains Wilkinson. The art piece shows how the natural shapes of the
harbour are interrupted by human intervention. “Each aspect of this design is very thoughtful and
deliberate,” says Wilkinson. “Blending the architectural details to represent both sides of the business
of First Gulf and Great Gulf and respectfully seeing them come together where it makes sense… I think
the space represents who they are.”