Rose Avenue Supportive Housing

The comprehensive renovation of 41 Rose Avenue transformed a vacant building into a vibrant multi-unit rooming house within the Cabbagetown Northwest Area Heritage Conservation District. This initiative, led by Dixon Hall Neighbourhood Services in collaboration with Toronto Community Housing (TCHC) and the City of Toronto, provides seven self-contained rooms, each equipped with a private washroom and custom millwork, ensuring tenants have safe, dignified, and private living spaces. The ground floor features a shared kitchen and lounge overlooking the laneway and the restored front landscape, fostering community and connection. Two new offices on the third floor support in-house staff, enabling wraparound services for residents.

ERA served as lead architect and heritage consultant, guiding the design and conservation strategy to balance modern functionality with heritage character. Our approach emphasized natural light, privacy, and security, introducing thoughtful solutions such as a central stair lightwell that filters daylight throughout the building. Original features, including the front entry door and exposed rafters, were retained to celebrate the building’s history, while new windows, doors, and insulation improved durability and energy performance. Exterior restoration, including wood repairs and fresh paint, reinforces the property’s contribution to the Cabbagetown Heritage Conservation District.

The result is a welcoming, sustainable environment that promotes stability and well-being for its future tenants. By combining heritage conservation with contemporary design, the project delivers a replicable model for converting vacant properties into supportive housing. Beyond meeting immediate needs, 41 Rose Avenue demonstrates how thoughtful rehabilitation can strengthen the community, preserve cultural heritage, and address Toronto’s urgent housing challenges.