60 Bowden St. in Toronto, Ontario, is a 35,000 sq. ft., 8-storey, 50-unit affordable and supportive housing development that demonstrates how mass timber can accelerate delivery while meeting the complex demands of urban infill and heritage preservation.
Element5 supplied the cross-laminated timber (CLT) floor and core panels and Glulam columns, forming the backbone of a high-performance, prefabricated structural system. The building utilizes 7-ply CLT panels supported on Glulam columns, with a point-supported structural system that enables both efficiency and architectural expression. The project also features CLT elevator and stair cores and a pre-fabricated envelope system with pre-installed windows.
8 storeys. 50 Units. Built in Just 41 Working Days
Constructed using a panelized, prefabricated approach, the mass timber superstructure was erected in 9 calendar weeks (41 working days) – an average rate of 1 floor per week. with crews installing hundreds of panels, columns, and thousands of connections with precision and speed. This rapid assembly minimized site disruption in a dense urban neighbourhood while maintaining strict quality and safety standards.
Built over the retained base of the historic Danforth Baptist Church, the project integrates new mass timber construction with preserved heritage elements, including the original façade and twin towers—creating a unique blend of past and future.
Designed for Speed, Sustainability, and Community Impact
This project highlights the role of mass timber in delivering scalable, low-carbon housing solutions. Prefabrication allowed for improved coordination, reduced construction waste, and faster enclosure, while the use of sustainably sourced wood significantly lowers embodied carbon compared to conventional materials.
Developed for WoodGreen Community Services, the building will provide 50 affordable homes for seniors aged 59 and older—one of the fastest-growing and most vulnerable demographics in need of housing.
Beyond housing, the development incorporates wraparound supports and community-focused amenities, including a commercial kitchen, gathering spaces, landscaped courtyard, and continued space for church services and a food bank, ensuring the building serves both residents and the broader community.
60 Bowden demonstrates how mass timber and prefabrication can unlock new opportunities for affordable housing, particularly on constrained urban and heritage sites. By combining speed, precision, and sustainability, the project sets a new benchmark for delivering high-quality, community-focused housing in Canada’s largest cities.
Press Coverage
- Prefab units help to speed Toronto church conversion – Globe & Mail, March 25, 2025
