Dowling Ave | 12 Unit Conversion

Toronto

Property Type: Existing 3-Storey, 8-Unit Apartment Building
Final Goal: 12 Legal Residential Units (All Interior Work, No Additions)

Project Overview:
This project focuses on increasing residential density within an existing 8-unit apartment building—without expanding the building envelope. By strategically reconfiguring and splitting existing units, especially on the second and third floors, we’re converting four larger units into eight smaller, efficient layouts—resulting in a fully legal 12-unit apartment building.

All work is being done internally, making this an efficient and cost-effective value-add strategy in a high-demand rental market.

Scope & Strategy:

• Converted 4 larger units (mainly on the second and third floors) into 8 new layouts, designed for 1-bedroom or bachelor-style living

• Retained and minimally adjusted the remaining 4 units on the ground floor

• Coordinated all life safety upgrades, including fire separations, egress, and soundproofing, to meet multi-unit requirements under the Ontario Building Code

• Ensured no variances or additions were needed—making this a faster, approval-friendly conversion

Challenges Solved:

• Maximized unit count and rent potential without triggering costly exterior construction or rezoning

• Redesigned layouts to fit functional kitchens, bathrooms, and living space within tighter footprints

• Coordinated shared mechanical systems and individual unit servicing where required

Investor Benefits:

• Increased building unit count from 8 to 12, boosting NOI and long-term valuation

• Completed through interior-only work—faster approval and lower capital expenditure

• Attractive unit mix for today’s rental market (smaller units = higher per-square-foot rental return)

Current Status:
Design completed. Permit review in progress. Construction pending final budget review.