Garden Suites in Downtown Toronto

A garden suite is a self-contained second home in the backyard, with its own kitchen, bath and separate entrance. Cabbagetown and South Riverdale sit on the deep Victorian and Edwardian lots and rear-laneway networks these suites depend on, where the setback, size and access rules are easier to satisfy than on tighter central parcels.

Since Toronto's 2022 zoning amendments, garden suites are as-of-right on most lots that meet the setback, size and rear or laneway access rules, so there is usually no rezoning or variance. In a core where renting is the norm, owners build one for rental income, an aging parent, or a studio steps from downtown. We design and build it as one team.