Toronto seniors' building gets major retrofit while tenants stay in place

A 59yearold seniors' apartment tower in Toronto's east end is undergoing a major energy retrofit designed to improve comfort, lower utility costs and reduce emissions without forcing residents to leave. The work is taking place at Ray McCleary Towers, a 160unit building at 444 Logan Avenue that opened in 1967 and has long housed older, lowerincome tenants. The project includes new exterior insulation panels, upgraded mechanical and electrical systems, rooftop solar panels, air conditioning, dehumidification and direct ventilation for each suite. Project partners say the building is being modernized as a model for preserving affordable housing in Canada. Backed by federal funding from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and Natural Resources Canada, the retrofit also includes structural repairs and safety improvements and is expected to be finished in spring 2027.