The story starts 15 years ago in London, England, where wealthy homeowners decided to dig deep down into their properties to create extra home space. When they weren’t allowed to build upwards or outwards, they’d build down.
The term to describe these underground spaces became known as “iceberg basements”, and later the term referred to homes that had these basements as “iceberg homes”.
Iceberg homes have made their way into Toronto’s luxury neighbourhoods, but not without the disapproval of neighbours, conservationists and those who envy their wealth.
In Toronto, Iceberg homes are usually reserved for the ultra-wealthy and their large properties. Many of these style homes can be found in the Bridle Path, Lawrence Park, Forest Hill and Hoggs Hollow neighbourhoods.
Want to learn more about Toronto’s most distinguished communities? Read: Toronto’s Most Prestigious Neighbourhoods
Why Are Iceberg Homes Controversial?
In Toronto, the city will regulate the height and lot coverage for a house depending on neighbourhood zoning bylaws. GFA is a term to describe the “gross floor area” a home can be built to without having to apply to the committee of adjustments for a greater scale. Sometimes the city disapproves of the request due to shadowing of neighbours’ properties, ruined sightlines etc.
Iceberg homes circumvent the city’s limited space by digging 2 and sometimes 3 levels down into the earth. These spaces are used for anything from pools to 3-car garages, basketball courts and vaults. When people have disapproved of this housing structure, architects and homeowners have defended the move, stating that condo buildings are built 3 and 4 stories down all the time – and that this isn’t any different. Architects claim that this is a better alternative to ruining skyline views and building monstrosities that ruin the essence of the neighbourhood.
From the best type of foundation to the legalities of garden suites, I’ve written extensively about home renos and Toronto architecture in the past. Interested in learning more? Read these posts next:
- Block Foundation Vs. Poured Concrete: Which is the Best House Foundation?
- Can I Build a Garden Suite on My Property?
- What to Know About Buying a Victorian Home in Toronto
What is The City of Toronto Doing About Iceberg Homes?
Aesthetics aside, Iceberg homes do pose an environmental and societal threat. Some of the reasons the city is considering regulating this sort of build are as follows:
- Climate concerns. Digging out 3 stories of dirt from a backyard severely disrupts the plant growth of trees. Large trees have been reported dying from root death, soil impermeability and erosion.
- Groundwater problems (and lots of flooding). Large structures underground can block natural water absorption and redirect the groundwater to the wrong places. In certain circumstances, it has blocked drainage systems for neighbouring properties.
- Structural damage to nearby properties. It’s no surprise that excavating so deep would shift soil, leading to cracked foundations and weakening retaining walls.
- Social inequality. Many people claim that these “underground fortresses” are exclusive to the ultra-wealthy and that it furthers the divide between the haves and have-nots without any rules applying to them.
The City of Toronto is closely studying the effects of these homes and plans to begin regulating them in the coming years. Some of the regulations we will see, as we do with ancillary dwellings we have by right, will include:
- Limits on square footage
- Tree protection requirements
- Drainage rules
Municipal and provincial regulations and taxes are always changing – the latest being the new Ontario Luxury Home Tax. Find out the real cost of this tax on my blog.
My Take
IMO I think we should regulate anything underground as much as we do above. Ontario has some of the strictest building codes in the world, and with good reason. You rarely see any new construction that’s collapsing or overbuilt. Remember Miami a few years ago, when the condo buildings started to fall on SoBE? Well, it probably isn’t going to happen here.
Iceberg Homes – tell your friends 🙂
Do you have questions about iceberg homes in Toronto? Or are you planning a home sale or purchase in the near future? Either way, I’m happy to chat! Get in touch with me today by calling me, texting me, emailing me, or filling out the form on this page.
