Context Development

Context Development, is a renowned developer led by Howard Cohen which has contributed more to shaping downtown Toronto's skyline among any other developer. By establishing a novel design aesthetic, this developer set the standard for future new construction in the city, helping to shape the area's character. Compared to other men in the field, Howard Cohen has contributed the most to Toronto's current state. His accomplishments continued when he acquired the role of Chief City Planner in the 1970s. At the time, conventional wisdom encouraged people to purchase homes in the suburbs and commute into the city for employment, but Howard aimed to disrupt all of that.

Cohen made significant policy and regulation revisions as Chief City Planner to enable the construction of more residential projects in the downtown area. This may have been the initial event that started the chain of occurrences that led to Toronto becoming what it is today. The president of the Harbourfront Corporation was his second position. This was the government organization in charge of turning Toronto's waterfront from an abandoned industrial wasteland to one of Canada's most well-known tourist destinations.

Context Development was founded in 1997 by Stephen Gross and Howard Cohen. The name was chosen as each project fits in the context of the neighbourhood that surrounds it. Context is known for urban design and contemporary architecture. Their main goal is to build condos, rental homes, and mixed-use buildings in Toronto's downtown. With their initial construction of 20 Niagara, they demonstrated that they were prepared to assume the role of the city's actual pioneers.