From Office to e lofts: Amexon Converting Office Tower into Family-Focused Sustainable Rentals
Amexon Development Corporation is launching a new purpose-built rental community in Toronto’s Don Mills area end with e lofts, a residential conversion at 250 Ferrand Drive. The project will transform a 15-storey office tower into 331 modern rental suites located near Don Mills Road and Eglinton Avenue East. Designed by Core Architects, the adaptive reuse approach takes advantage of the building’s existing structure to deliver housing faster and more sustainably than ground-up construction.
The transformation from office to residential will allow Amexon to repurpose the existing structure with minimal demolition while responding to urgent housing needs. The site is already designated as a Mixed Use Area and is within a Protected Major Transit Station Area. With a recently submitted Zoning amendment following a positive pre-application meeting, the project is positioned for expedited approvals.
Steps from Aga Khan Park and Museum stop on the soon-to-open Eglinton Line 5 Crosstown LRT, the site is also within walking distance of Don Valley station on that line, which will become an interchange station with Ontario Line 3 (targeted to open around 2031) once it also opens. These new transit faciilties will offer the building very good connectivity across the city. Science Centre station will also boast a TTC bus terminal with several routes offering quick transit connections across the local area.
For drivers, the site is close to the Eglinton interchange on the Don Valley Parkway, while nearby parks, including ET Seton Park and the Don River trail network, anchor the project in an urban-natural setting, when combined with bike lanes running along Ferrand and Rochefort drives (and a Bike Share Toronto station at its doorstep), the development also supports active transportation.
The building is targeting both LEED Platinum certification and Toronto Green Standard Version 4 Tier 2. The retrofit introduces a new thermal envelope and copper-toned facade panels embedded with solar technology, reducing energy consumption while providing a contemporary facade. Inside, upgraded carbon-free mechanical systems improve air quality and efficiency. Green roofs and rainwater harvesting systems contribute to the building’s low-impact profile, while every parking space — residential and visitor — is being equipped with EV charging.
Inside, II BY IV DESIGN has shaped the interiors around a loft aesthetic, with 11-foot-6-inch ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and open layouts. Polished concrete floors, exposed ductwork, and visible structural elements add texture to the design.
Rental suites will cater to families and professionals seeking larger, more flexible living spaces. Of the 331 suites, 174 are two-bedroom, and 32 are three-bedroom. These exceed current market averages, addressing the growing demand for spacious rentals that can accommodate family life or work-from-home setups.
Residents will have access to a rooftop saltwater pool paired with a landscaped terrace. Indoors, the building will boast expansive fitness areas, dedicated co-working zones, and social spaces.
Surrounded by green space, e lofts offers immediate access to the Don River ravine system and ET Seton Park, with its extensive network of walking and cycling trails. Ferrand Drive Park, located directly across the street, is set to undergo City-led improvements, including a new splash pad, updated playground equipment, and improved seating areas. The site is also a short distance from the Shops at Don Mills, where retail, dining, and entertainment options include Cineplex VIP and Eataly.
Designed by Cosburn Nauboris Landscape Architects, the landscape plan will upgrade all frontages with a mix of soft landscaping and hardscape elements. Plantings and new paving treatments along Ferrand Drive and the building perimeter look to improve pedestrian comfort and visual appeal, while setbacks and landscaped buffers contribute to a more welcoming streetscape.
With its focus on adaptive reuse, sustainable design, and larger rental units, Amexon is putting into e lofts everything that embodies what they describe as their “vision for connected, future-ready communities.”
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
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