“In its beginnings, Walmer was characterized by openness—to different types of people, and to different ideas and projects.” – A Century for the City, Walmer Road Baptist Church 1889-1989 by Donald Goertz.
This site is located in the heart the Annex, one of Toronto’s most dynamic and storied neighbourhoods. It’s situated on traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples.
The existing church has long been a place of community and social innovation. It’s where a food bank, theatre initiative, and Canada’s first co-located daycare all thrived and a diversity of people came together for over a century.
-TAS and our partners, the Walmer Road Baptist Church have been working together to create a bold new vision for this site. Our proposal includes:
-Adaptive reuse of the existing sanctuary, to include a new space for the Walmer Road Baptist Church and a new commercial community hub.
-162 new condominiums in a 20-story building.
A publicly accessible courtyard for residents and members of the local neighbourhood.
-The commercial community hub will be a welcoming, inclusive place that restores the sanctuary’s historical role as a place for community, connection and social innovation.
We are excited to evolve this place at the corner of Lowther and Walmer in the Annex with and for the community and see this project as a tremendous example of our commitment to building for impact.
Source: TAS
4 mins4 mins10 mins10 minsThe neighbourhood of the Annex is one of Toronto’s most diverse communities. Located steps from the University of Toronto’s main campus, this location is a cohesive blend between successful professionals, prominent artists and university students and faculty. This neighbourhood has long been a desirable neighbourhood for university students due to its proximity to the school. Many fraternity, sorority and student houses can be found laced throughout the neighbourhood in some of the large historic Victorian homes. This cross between the various types of residents allows the Annex to continue to evolve with new life and new energy. This presence of younger residents also has developed the Annex’s nightlife. Find numerous bars, nightclubs and restaurants mostly concentrated along Bloor Street and experience the student nightlife scene.
