TORONTO – Developer Kindred Works has submitted the zoning bylaw amendment and Official Plan Amendment application to the City of Toronto in the hopes of redeveloping the iconic Saint Luke’s church building into a mixed-use community hub.
Located at the northeast gateway to Cabbagetown, the project is proposing 440 new purpose-built rental units, 1,453 square metres of community space, an event hall and a public realm along Sherbourne Street.
The project will “retain and revitalize key elements of the 1887 Romanesque church and 1912 schoolhouse, preserving the site’s heritage while building upwards in a transit- and cycling-friendly location,” a release reads.
“By removing the narthex addition, the original building wall is revealed, creating a barrier-free entrance and re-establishing a publicly accessible square along Sherbourne. This reimagined forecourt will bring new vibrancy to the street and create opportunities for community connection, gathering and public life.”
A proposed social-purpose café and a second-floor terrace overlooking the forecourt and Allan Gardens are also in the project proposal.
KPMB Architects is leading the design of the new building, and ERA Architects serving as the heritage architects.
“At 353 Sherbourne we approached the adaptive reuse of Saint Luke’s as an opportunity to honour it’s spaces and legacy by transforming it into a flexible public event hall and community space, deeply rooted in the daily life of the neighbourhood,” says Kevin Bridgman, partner, KPMB Architects, in a statement. “With a new landscaped forecourt along Sherbourne Street, a ground floor café, and welcoming meeting spaces, the reimagined site will host everything from markets to community gatherings — providing a vital civic amenity that anchors the north end of the city’s planned Garden District.”
Kindred Works has been engaging with the community since 2020 to understand priorities, needs and aspirations for the neighbourhood and the site, the release continues. Engagement will continue through the planning process, including a community open house in the coming months.
“Once complete, the new community space will welcome the Saint Luke’s United Church congregation while also opening the doors to an expanded range of arts, culture and community programming,” the release adds.
