Normerica Building Systems is proud to support the City of Toronto and the Government of Canada's Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) through the installation of the mass timber structural package at 11 Brock Avenue. This four-storey building will provide 42 affordable homes with supports for individuals experiencing home insecurity, addressing a critical need in Toronto's housing landscape.
Located near Queen Street West and Brock Avenue in the Parkdale community, the project represents a meaningful investment in both people and sustainable building practices. Normerica mobilized on site in September and expects to complete the installation of the mass timber structural package by January 2026.
The 11 Brock Avenue project showcases how advanced mass timber construction can deliver both speed and sustainability for critical housing needs. As a subcontractor to Govan Brown, the General Contractor, Normerica is installing a complete structural package utilizing glued-laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements.
"We're honoured to contribute our mass timber expertise to a project that will make such a meaningful difference in people's lives," said Chris McFarlane, President of Normerica Building Systems. "The Rapid Housing Initiative demonstrates how innovative construction methods can help address urgent housing needs while building sustainably for the future."
The use of prefabricated mass timber components allows for rapid on-site assembly using mobile cranes, reducing construction timelines while maintaining the highest standards of quality and structural integrity. This approach aligns perfectly with the goals of the Rapid Housing Initiative, which emphasizes speed of delivery to get people into safe, stable homes faster.
When complete, 11 Brock Avenue will provide 42 private apartments, each equipped with a bathroom and kitchen to support independent living. The building will also feature shared amenities including laundry facilities, a commercial kitchen, and programming spaces designed to foster community and provide residents with support services.
The building will be managed by PARC (Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre), a community organization with over 20 years of experience securing affordable housing in the Parkdale neighbourhood. Tenants will have access to on-site supports to help them maintain their health, wellbeing, and housing stability.
Rents will be geared to income and will not exceed 30 percent of a resident's income, ensuring affordability and long-term housing security for vulnerable community members.
Mass timber is a renewable, low-carbon building material that reduces environmental impact while providing exceptional structural performance and durability. It also lends itself well to prefabrication, which has been at the forefront of Normerica’s building philosophy for decades.
The precision of prefabricated mass timber components minimizes on-site waste and construction disruption in the densely populated Parkdale neighbourhood. Throughout construction, the project team has implemented comprehensive measures to reduce impact on the surrounding community, including dust control plans, vibration monitoring, and careful traffic management.
The 11 Brock Avenue project is funded through Phase Three of the Government of Canada's Rapid Housing Initiative, which is providing $1.5 billion in grant funding nationally to create new affordable housing across the country. In Toronto, this funding supports the acquisition of land and construction of new housing, acquisition and conversion of existing buildings, and rehabilitation of housing stock.
The City of Toronto purchased the 11 Brock Avenue property from the Province of Ontario in 2019 specifically for the purpose of creating new affordable housing. The project is part of an identified priority in the HousingTO Action Plan, which recognizes that homes with supports provide people with good quality, safe, affordable, and permanent housing solutions.
The 11 Brock Avenue project has progressed through several key phases:
What is the 11 Brock Avenue project in Toronto?
11 Brock Avenue is a four-storey affordable housing building in Toronto's Parkdale neighbourhood, funded through Phase Three of the Government of Canada's Rapid Housing Initiative. When complete, it will provide 42 private apartments — each with a bathroom and kitchen — for individuals experiencing housing insecurity. Rents are geared to income and will not exceed 30 percent of a resident's income. The building will be managed by PARC (Parkdale Activity-Recreation Centre) and is expected to welcome residents in late 2026.
Q: What is Normerica's role in the 11 Brock Avenue project?
Normerica Building Systems is the mass timber subcontractor on the project, working under general contractor Govan Brown. Normerica is supplying and installing the complete structural package, which includes glued-laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements. Normerica mobilized on site in September 2025 and expects to complete the mass timber installation by January 2026.
Q: Why was mass timber chosen for an affordable housing project?
Mass timber is a renewable, low-carbon building material that combines speed of assembly with high structural performance — both critical priorities for the Rapid Housing Initiative, which is designed to get people into safe, stable homes as quickly as possible. Prefabricated mass timber components arrive on site ready to assemble using mobile cranes, significantly reducing construction timelines compared to conventional methods. The prefabrication approach also minimizes on-site waste and construction disruption in dense urban neighbourhoods like Parkdale.
Q: What is Canada's Rapid Housing Initiative?
The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is a Government of Canada program providing $1.5 billion in grant funding nationally to create new affordable housing. In Toronto, the funding supports land acquisition, new construction, conversion of existing buildings, and rehabilitation of housing stock. The 11 Brock Avenue project is funded through Phase Three of the RHI and is part of the City of Toronto's HousingTO Action Plan, which identifies homes with supports as a priority housing solution.
Q: Does Normerica work on commercial and institutional mass timber projects?
Yes. In addition to custom and semi-custom timber frame homes, Normerica designs and builds mass timber structural packages for commercial and institutional projects. The 11 Brock Avenue affordable housing project and the Craigleith Ski Club Base Lodge Expansion are two examples of Normerica's commercial mass timber work. Normerica's prefabricated approach — engineering and manufacturing components off-site for rapid on-site assembly — is well-suited to projects with demanding timelines and urban site constraints.
Q: What are glulam and CLT, and why are they used in mass timber construction?
Glulam (glued-laminated timber) and CLT (cross-laminated timber) are engineered wood products that form the structural backbone of mass timber buildings. Glulam consists of layers of lumber bonded together to create large beams and columns with exceptional strength and dimensional stability. CLT is made from layers of lumber stacked in alternating directions and bonded together, creating rigid panels used for floors, walls, and roofs. Both materials are renewable, carbon-storing alternatives to steel and concrete, and both lend themselves to precision prefabrication that speeds up on-site construction.
The 11 Brock Avenue project exemplifies how innovative building methods and strong partnerships between government, community organizations, and construction professionals can address urgent housing needs while maintaining commitments to sustainability and quality.
"This project represents the kind of work we're most proud to be part of," added McFarlane. "Mass timber construction isn't just about building structures – it's about building sustainable communities and creating spaces where people can thrive. We're grateful to contribute to this important initiative and to work alongside partners who share our commitment to making a positive difference."
As construction continues through the fall and winter months, the project team remains focused on delivering high-quality, sustainable homes that will serve Toronto residents for generations to come.
Normerica Building Systems invites you to fall in love with craftsmanship. Since 1979, we have designed, manufactured, shipped, and assembled thousands of custom timber frame structures, including many stunning homes where families gather, grow, and thrive. Whether you want a stylish new cottage, a cozy ski chalet, an elegant estate home, or a mass timber commercial building, we will help you realize an outcome you truly love. Unlike any other custom timber frame company, Normerica Building Systems offers it all: timeless designs, meticulous craftsmanship, excellent service, outstanding structural performance, reliable building partners, and, above all, the flexibility to customize your home or commercial building to suit your unique taste and needs. Normerica Building Systems customers across Ontario, Canada, and the world rely on us to help them realize a more sustainable and stylish future—and you can too. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements from Normerica in the mass timber space!