Keys to the City: 50 Torbolton Drive Revives Rexdale with Net-Zero Townhomes

After 15 years of vacancy, this 17-unit block will reopen by late 2025 as a model of Passive House innovation and energy efficiency in social housing.

July 21, 2025 Alwin Marshall-Squire Affordable & Supportive Housing 0

50 Torbolton Drive Revives Rexdale with Net-Zero Townhomes — Aerial rendering of 50 Torbolton Drive in Rexdale, where 17 net-zero, Passive House-certified townhomes are being redeveloped by Toronto Community Housing. Completion is expected by late 2025.

Bringing It Back to Life

Once an abandoned block of townhomes overtaken by water damage and mould, 50 Torbolton Drive in Rexdale is now on track to become one of Toronto’s greenest social housing projects.

Closed for over 15 years, the two-storey, three-bedroom units are undergoing a full retrofit by Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) — with a mission: to create net-zero, Passive House-standard homes that set the bar for sustainable affordable housing in the city.

“That’s as high performing of a building as you can get,” said Adam Pelissero, TCHC’s Design Manager.

What Makes It Net-Zero & Passive House?

To meet net-zero standards, a building must either produce as much energy as it consumes or offset emissions through measures like carbon capture or tree planting.
The Passive House designation takes it even further — reducing heating and cooling energy by up to 90% through top-tier insulation, air sealing, and energy-smart design.

At 50 Torbolton, this means:

All new windows and doors
An upgraded airtight exterior
Highly efficient insulation and ventilation systems

A New Standard for Social Housing

This redevelopment is more than a green pilot — it’s part of TCHC’s broader energy reduction target of 25% by 2028.
Already, projects like 175 Oak Street in Regent Park and Alexandra Park’s Phase 3 townhouses are following suit.

“It’s about improving a tenant’s comfort and wellbeing while saving energy,” said Jon Dilworth, TCHC’s Manager of Energy Management.

Community Impact

For Rexdale, the return of 17 deeply affordable family-sized homes is a big deal. In a neighbourhood where affordable rental options are scarce, 50 Torbolton will provide secure, climate-friendly housing for families — without compromising on quality or comfort.

It’s proof that sustainability and affordability can go hand-in-hand — and that long-abandoned public housing can be revived with vision, investment, and innovation.

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About Alwin Marshall-Squire 15671 Articles

Alwin Marshall-Squire is the Editor-in-Chief of S-Q Publications Inc., overseeing editorial strategy for GTA Weekly, GTA Today, and Vision Newspaper. He leads the publications’ mission to deliver bold, original journalism focused on the people and communities of the Greater Toronto Area, Canada, and the global Caribbean diaspora. Also writes for GTA Weekly and GTA Today.