River City II Lofts

The River City Project — which includes River City I Lofts and River City Phase 3 — has brought more than 1,100 homes to the area, with almost 250 of these Toronto lofts located at 32 Trolley Crescent, or River City 2 Condo Lofts.

And when there’s an international competition for who gets to build on a piece of land, you know the result is going to be good. Eighteen plans were considered before the honour of developing a portion of the West Don Lands was granted to a Toronto-based firm, Urban Capital.

Comprising three parts, known as phase 1, phase 2, and phase 3, Urban Capital’s proposal for the River City clearly won over the hearts of the jury. Moreover, the developers’ focus on innovative techniques, along with their careful consideration of factors like the marriage of elegance and functionality and environmental friendliness, positioned them perfectly to get this particular job done right. For one, the River City complex was the first carbon neutral multi-residential projects in the city.

River City 2 Lofts is technically made up of three buildings in and of itself, however they feel more like one large structure thanks to the enclosed walkways that provide passage between them. The building also boasts a concierge and a gym, while the remaning extras at 32 Trolley Crescent are less utilitarian, and more amusing: an outdoor garden, a pool, a shared rooftop terrace, and a movie room are all available for residents to use.

Nicknamed “the Jewel of River City,” the white exterior was designed by Saucier + Perrotte to juxtapose its darker-hued neighbours. The colour scheme also functions to make the building appear light and airy, like a cloud rising above the river below. The architecture is also modern and slightly angular, and essentially resembles no other building in Toronto.

Perhaps this is why the building has received so much attention, and even praise, since its construction in 2015. That very year, both and BlogTO named 32 Trolley Crescent one of their favourite new buildings. Even more impressively, River City 2 Lofts has received 8 Governor General medals for its architectural superiority in the short time since its construction.