351 West 3rd Street is a five-storey, purpose-built residential building delivering 53 rental units in a variety of unit types. The unit mix prioritizes studios and one-bedroom homes to optimize space efficiency and better align floor area with occupancy. The entirely residential program reflects the site’s urban context, where established retail corridors are located nearby but do not form a continuous commercial frontage.
Social sustainability is addressed through a diverse and inclusive housing mix, with 11 adaptable units, accessible building circulation, and barrier-free amenities throughout. Shared amenities—including a rooftop garden, indoor gathering space, bike repair facilities, and secure storage—are designed to foster community and everyday livability. Overall, the project represents a context-sensitive mid-rise residential development that advances sustainability, affordability, and neighbourhood compatibility while reinforcing the established residential character of the area.
The project emphasizes economic and environmental sustainability through efficient building form, material choices, and transportation strategies that collectively aim to reduce both embodied carbon and long-term operating costs—supporting housing affordability over time. A single level of parking, a modest shortfall in vehicle stalls, and an emphasis on wood-frame construction above concrete podium levels reduce excavation, concrete use, and overall carbon impact while encouraging alternative transportation.
