Re-Development of 685 Queen East
Riverdale Co-operative Houses’ building at 685 Queen Street East was originally built in 1904 as a 2½ storey house. Many years later, an addition was constructed at the back. By the time Riverdale Co-op bought the property in the 1970s, the building had been subdivided into 9 apartments.
The current re-development includes an extensive renovation of the existing building including accessible apartments and the addition of 17 new units at the rear of the building for a total of 26 units.
The idea of re-developing 685 Queen East had been contemplated for many years but the current project began in earnest in 2015. Volunteer committee members and the Board of Directors have been instrumental in seeing this project proceed alongside staff and consultants. Without the hard work of our City Councillor Paula Fletcher, the City’s Housing Secretariat and Streetcar, this re-development would never have been possible.
Through the Community Benefits agreement for the Riverside Square development, Councillor Fletcher assigned $5 million to the re-development of 685 Queen Street East. The City of Toronto along with the Federal and Provincial governments made a further $6 million available with the City also waiving development fees, charges and property taxes to make this project possible. As part of the funding agreement with the City, Riverdale Co-op has agreed to operate the new building as an affordable housing project in perpetuity. City Council has also mandated that 5 of the units are to be specifically set aside for artists’ housing.
Since the beginning, the vision behind the project has been to provide accessible and affordable accommodation to individuals and families, including the Co-op’s own members. The new 685 Queen East building will be Riverdale Co-op’s first fully accessible building, not to mention its first building with an elevator! There will be studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units.
The construction of the new 685 Queen East building is expected to be completed in late spring 2024, and ready for occupancy in summer 2024.
Interested in Applying for a Unit at 685 Queen East?
Overview 685 Queen Street East
BUILDING
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- Located near Broadview Avenue and Queen Street East
- Fully accessible building with elevator, ramps, automatic door openers and more
- Large community room with kitchenette
- Rooftop patio
- Bike storage and laundry room
- Minimal parking
- Occupancy expected summer 2024
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UNITS
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- 26 units in total including studio, 1 bed, 2 bed and 3 bed apartments
- 6 universal barrier free units fully modified for accessibility
- 10 barrier free units
- Range of unit sizes depending on location in building
- Non-smoking building including units, interior common areas and outdoor areas
- Tentative housing charges (ie. rent) listed below in table; utilities included
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ELIGIBILITY
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- Current Riverdale Co-op members and external applicants are welcome to apply
- Applicants must have a combined household income not more than 4 times the housing charge (rent)
- Applicants requesting accessible units must provide medical documentation supporting need. Click here for sample medical form.
- There are 5 units designated for professional artists who meet the qualifications outlined here: Access Policy for Artists-Designated Units. These are not live-work units.
- Click here for General Applicant Eligibility Criteria
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APPLICATION PROCESS
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- The application process is now closed.
- Members of the public who completed an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by the deadline of September 25, 2023 at 4:00 pm, had their name entered into a random draw.
- External applicants selected through the random draw were invited to attend a mandatory co-op housing info session and to complete an application form for membership and accommodation. Eligible applicants will then be invited to attend a membership interview.
- All other applicants will be added to the external waiting list for the Co-op until such time as the City’s housing access system is established.
- No telephone calls or emails please.
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Unit Information
685 Queen St - Units
| Unit Size & Type | Unit Location | Square Footage | Estimated Housing Charge | Max. Household Income | Floor Plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit A (1 unit) | 2 bedroom regular | Below ground | 840 SF | $1,709 | $82,032 | View Plan |
| Unit B (1 unit) | Studio regular | Below ground | 620 SF | $1,142 | $54,816 | View Plan |
| Unit C (1 unit) | 1 bedroom barrier-free | Below ground | 574 SF | $1,332 | $63,936 | View Plan |
| Unit D (1 unit) | 1 bedroom universal barrier-free | Below ground | 627 SF | $1,332 | $63,936 | View Plan |
| Unit E (5 units) | 1 bedroom barrier-free | Floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | 571 SF | $1,332 | $63,936 | View Plan |
| Unit F (5 units) | 2 bedroom universal barrier-free | Floors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | 662 SF | $1,444 | $69,312 | View Plan |
| Unit G (4 units) | 1 bedroom barrier-free | Floors 2, 3, 4, 5 | 577 SF | $1,332 | $63,936 | View Plan |
| Unit H (1 unit) | 3 bedroom regular | Floor 2 | 1,166 SF | $1,793 | $86,064 | View Plan |
| Unit J (1 unit) | 3 bedroom regular | Floor 2 | 1,163 SF | $1,793 | $86,064 | View Plan |
| Unit K (1 unit) | 2 bedroom regular | Floor 3 | 1,109 SF | $1,773 | $85,104 | View Plan |
| Unit L (1 unit) | 2 bedroom regular | Floor 3 | 1,070 SF | $1,773 | $85,104 | View Plan |
| Unit M (1 unit) | 1 bedroom regular | Floor 4 | 775 SF | $1,708 | $81,984 | View Plan |
| Unit N (1 unit) | Studio regular | Floor 4 | 557 SF | $1,142 | $54,816 | View Plan |
| Unit P (1 unit) | 2 bedroom regular | Floor 5 | 778 SF | $1,753 | $84,144 | View Plan |
| Unit Q (1 unit) | 1 bedroom regular | Floor 5 | 554 SF | $1,401 | $67,248 | View Plan |