A proposal which has quickly sparked controversy at UrbanToronto will be presented to the public on Thursday at 7 PM at the 519 community centre on Church Street. The project, by unknown developer Church 18 Holdings Incorporated, will sit on the west side of Church Street between Gloucester and Dundonald Streets. The site currently features several Victorian houses and smaller apartment buildings. Some of those buildings are planned to be saved, while others will be demolished, raising concerns that the neighbourhood character of Church-Wellesley will be compromised.

Although similar in some respects to the approach being taken at the critically lauded Five Condos at Yonge and St. Joseph, where a much taller tower than this proposal is being incorporated into the existing building stock, early renderings show a building which may overwhelm its surroundings in this case. Concept plans for the development, designed by RAW Design, are featured below:

Rendering of 596 Church Condo by RAW Design

Rendering of 596 Church Condo by RAW Design

Rendering of 596 Church Condo by RAW Design

Rendering of 596 Church Condo by RAW Design

UrbanToronto member dt_toronto-geek captured these photos of the existing buildings: (Click on the thumbnails for a full-size version.) 67 & 69 Gloucester, to be demolished

67 Glouchester

69 Glouchester

580/582, 584 (to be demolished), 592 & 596 (to be demolished) Church St. photographed from Dundonald & Church

Church Street demolition site

580/582 Church St.

580 and 582 Church Street

596 Church St. & 67/69 Gloucester (all to be demolished) + 592 & 580/582 Church visible as photographed from Gloucester & Church

Church Street demolition site

Church Street demolition site

A map of the affected properties for reference

Map of demolition site properties

UrbanToronto encourages all who are interested to attend the public meeting at 7 PM on Thursday the 17th at 519 Church Street.