- Location: Toronto, Ontario
- Scope: 2 buildings; four-story & seven-storey, leading to 130 purpose-built rental units
- Stage: Design complete; entering RFP for construction management
Project Overview
Located in Toronto’s Leslieville neighbourhood, the Laing Street development blends architectural sensitivity with construction innovation. Designed by Gabriel Fain Architects for Laing Sears Holdings Inc., the project features two mid-rise buildings offering approximately 130 purpose-built rental units. Many are designed for families, and all are being constructed using a panelized prefabricated wall system from PrimeFab.
On a constrained urban site, this approach allows for faster enclosure, improved quality control, and a substantial reduction in weather-related delays. But the benefits go beyond logistics—this project demonstrates how prefabrication can deliver both performance and design flexibility in line with Toronto’s long-term housing and sustainability goals.
Project Highlights
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Location: Toronto, ON
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Building Type: Mid-rise residential – 7 and 4 storey buildings
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Scope: ~130 rental units | Panelized wall assembly with integrated insulation and cladding
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Performance Target: Tier 2 or Tier 3 Toronto Green Standard
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Architect: Gabriel Fain Architects
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Status: Awarded; in development
Why It Matters
Panelized wall systems are gaining traction for a reason. By manufacturing complete wall panels—framing, insulation, air/vapour barrier, and window openings—in a controlled factory setting, the Laing team is ensuring a higher degree of consistency, air-tightness, and overall performance.
For tenants, this translates to better indoor comfort and lower energy bills. For builders and trades, it means fewer weather delays, cleaner job sites, and safer working conditions. And for a neighbourhood like Leslieville, it delivers new housing with a thoughtful design that respects the surrounding built form.
Performance + Aesthetics
While efficiency is central to the panelized system, the Laing project also recognizes the importance of architectural expression. The panels can incorporate brick, composite, or metal claddings, allowing the building to reflect the material character of Leslieville while still embracing a contemporary design.
This dual focus on performance and design positions the project as a benchmark for how mid-rise residential can be delivered in tight urban environments—quickly, responsibly, and with care.
Toward a Smarter Housing Model
As Toronto faces concurrent housing and climate challenges, projects like Laing show what’s possible when construction methods evolve. Panelization enables faster delivery, more predictable costs, lower embodied carbon, and support for local manufacturing and trades.
The result? A new model for purpose-built rental that will be as efficient as it is enduring—a glimpse into the future of resilient, thoughtful urban housing.