Toronto's Reina Condos: An All-Women Team Designs for Community

The Reina condominium at 689 The Queensway in Toronto, Canada, is the result of an all-women development team, a deliberate response to the male-dominated condo industry. The project was initiated by Taya Cook of Urban Capital, who, after reading a Toronto Life article about 'Condo Kings'—20 men transforming the city's skyline—decided to change the conversation. She and Sherry Larjani of Spotlight Development assembled a women-led team, and after a competition, Heather Rolleston of BDP Quadrangle became the lead architect. The building, a U-shaped mid-rise that terraces down to a low-rise neighbourhood, replaces a former gentlemen's club. Designed from the inside out, it prioritizes community and addresses common pain points in condominium living. Features include a stroller park, a shared library for appliances like Kitchen Aid mixers, intergenerational suites for aging parents or adult children, and a gym where parents can watch their children play. The project hosted community brainstorming sessions to identify needs, resulting in a building that fosters a sense of community among its residents, which include families, teenagers, and singles. Rolleston noted the pressure and attention the project received, but emphasized that they did not sacrifice beauty for functionality. The conversation was featured on Monocle's The Urbanist, with Andrew Tuck interviewing Rolleston.