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Design Catalogue
12 Metroburb Narrow
Metroburb Narrows were widely built between the 1980’s to the early 2000’s
The Metroburb generation are commonly found in the suburban neighbourhoods of Etobicoke, Scarborough and North York - as well as surrounding GTA municipalities like Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan.
The Metroburb Narrow is similar to the Metroburb Semi, characterized by a high lot coverage and attached “snout” garage facing the street, typically sized for one or two cars depending on lot frontage. The front elevation is dominated by the garage and driveway, usually with a recessed front entrance to one side opening to an interior stair. Some variations of this type are three storey buildings, with living spaces on the second floor.
The large building size relative to the lot dimensions makes it challenging to propose substantial additions or expansions to the house without exceeding the lot coverage and density regulations (floor space index) for the site.
Real Estate Listings
Presented below are a few examples of the Metroburb Narrow type for your viewing and pricing reference.
Pricing as of July 2022
Neighbourhood Aerial
Aerial view of a sample neighbourhood with a Metroburb Narrow highlighted in orange.
Existing House Plans
Housing Option: Low
This scheme is limited to interior renovations within the existing building footprint.
The building is divided into three small units on each floor. The existing front entrance is partitioned as shared entrance foyer and the existing stair is fire separated to serve only the second floor unit. Separate access to the basement unit is provided with a new entrance off the side yard and this stair is also fire separated from the ground floor unit.
The basement includes a small shared laundry and mechanical room to reduce the total electrical load of the building, save on upfront construction cost and increase the usable floor area in each unit.
Housing Stats:
Second Floor Area = 70.0m2
Ground Floor Area = 64.3m2
Basement Floor Area = 67.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Total Floor Area = 201.8m2
The building is divided into three small units on each floor. The existing front entrance is partitioned as shared entrance foyer and the existing stair is fire separated to serve only the second floor unit. Separate access to the basement unit is provided with a new entrance off the side yard and this stair is also fire separated from the ground floor unit.
The basement includes a small shared laundry and mechanical room to reduce the total electrical load of the building, save on upfront construction cost and increase the usable floor area in each unit.
Occupancy
and Density:
Total Unit Count = 3 Units
Total Occupancy = 4 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI =0.43
Total Unit Count = 3 Units
Total Occupancy = 4 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI =0.43
Housing Stats:
Second Floor Area = 70.0m2
Ground Floor Area = 64.3m2
Basement Floor Area = 67.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Total Floor Area = 201.8m2
Housing Option: Medium
This scheme is limited to minor additions, accessory dwelling units (Garden Suite or Laneway Suite) and renovations within the existing building footprint, and may include the scope of work included in the ‘LOW’ option.
The existing garage is insulated and converted to an additional bedroom for the ground floor unit. The roof of the garage could also be rebuilt with a large terrace for the upper unit. The backyard is partially excavated to replace the basement window well and provide a sunken courtyard and replace the side yard entrance as direct access for the basement suite. The side yard entrance is kept for access to the shared laundry and mechanical room and provides a second means of egress for the basement suite.
Housing Stats:
Second Floor Area = 70.0m2
Ground Floor Area = 84.4m2
Basement Floor Area = 67.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Total Floor Area = 221.9m2
The existing garage is insulated and converted to an additional bedroom for the ground floor unit. The roof of the garage could also be rebuilt with a large terrace for the upper unit. The backyard is partially excavated to replace the basement window well and provide a sunken courtyard and replace the side yard entrance as direct access for the basement suite. The side yard entrance is kept for access to the shared laundry and mechanical room and provides a second means of egress for the basement suite.
Occupancy
and Density:
Total Unit Count = 3 Units
Total Occupancy = 5 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI =0.50
Total Unit Count = 3 Units
Total Occupancy = 5 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI =0.50
Housing Stats:
Second Floor Area = 70.0m2
Ground Floor Area = 84.4m2
Basement Floor Area = 67.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Total Floor Area = 221.9m2
Housing Option: High
This scheme is limited to major additions or a combination of minor additions, accessory dwelling units (Garden Suite or Laneway Suite) and renovations within the existing building footprint, and may include the scope of work included in the ‘LOW’ and ‘MEDIUM’ option.
The lot depth accomodates a small one bedroom garden suite in the rear yard.
Housing Stats:
Second Floor Area = 70.0m2
Ground Floor Area = 84.4m2
Basement Floor Area = 67.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Garden Suite Area = 79.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Total Floor Area = 301.4m2
Occupancy and Density:
Total Unit Count = 4 Units (3 + Garden Suite)
Total Occupancy = 6 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI = 0.50
Note: This garden suite design has not been revised to match the updated Garden Suites By-law regulation with more permissive minimum side setbacks at 10% of lot frontage (or at least 0.6m) for walls without openings
The lot depth accomodates a small one bedroom garden suite in the rear yard.
Housing Stats:
Second Floor Area = 70.0m2
Ground Floor Area = 84.4m2
Basement Floor Area = 67.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Garden Suite Area = 79.5m2 (excluded from FSI)
Total Floor Area = 301.4m2
Occupancy and Density:
Total Unit Count = 4 Units (3 + Garden Suite)
Total Occupancy = 6 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI = 0.50
Note: This garden suite design has not been revised to match the updated Garden Suites By-law regulation with more permissive minimum side setbacks at 10% of lot frontage (or at least 0.6m) for walls without openings
Housing Option: New
The “New” Options propose demolition of the existing house and the construction of a new multiplex within the zoning/built form permitted for single-detached houses.
This scheme proposes a triplex of “through” apartments extending the full building depth on each floor. The apartments are accessed from a shared straight-run interior stair, with an exterior spiral stair at the rear serving as second means of egress as required. A fourth unit is added in the basement with direct access from the side yard access path and a backyard sunken court.
The side yard setbacks shown here are based on the shifting side yard setbacks permitted for a single-detached house in this zone.
Housing Stats:
Third Floor Area = 69.8m2
Second Floor Area = 77.5m2
Ground Floor Area = 93.3m2
Basement Floor Area = 102.7m2 (excluded from FSI)
Garden Suite Area = 39.7m2
Total Floor Area = 383m2
This scheme proposes a triplex of “through” apartments extending the full building depth on each floor. The apartments are accessed from a shared straight-run interior stair, with an exterior spiral stair at the rear serving as second means of egress as required. A fourth unit is added in the basement with direct access from the side yard access path and a backyard sunken court.
The side yard setbacks shown here are based on the shifting side yard setbacks permitted for a single-detached house in this zone.
Occupancy
and Density:
Total Unit Count = 4 Units
Total Occupancy = 8 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI =0.78
Total Unit Count = 4 Units
Total Occupancy = 8 Beds
Lot Area = 310.2m2
FSI =0.78
Housing Stats:
Third Floor Area = 69.8m2
Second Floor Area = 77.5m2
Ground Floor Area = 93.3m2
Basement Floor Area = 102.7m2 (excluded from FSI)
Garden Suite Area = 39.7m2
Total Floor Area = 383m2
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For certainty, ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners provides no representation or warranty regarding any use of or reliance upon this website, including any representation or warranty that this website complies with applicable laws (including any applicable zoning by-laws or building code requirements) and any representation or warranty that any cost estimates included in or based upon this website have been validated by the applicable market. Any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose shall be at such person’s sole risk and ReHousing (Canada), The University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape and Design, and LGA Architectural Partners shall have no liability or responsibility for any such use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose. Prior to any use of or reliance upon this website by any person for any purpose, consultation with a professional architect duly licensed in the applicable jurisdiction is strongly recommended.