A few months after hoarding was installed around the 1911-built Norman-Gothic-style Deer Park United Church at 129 St. Clair Avenue West, demolition has begun on the south end of the structure. A block east of Avenue Road at Foxbar Road, this is the development site of Camrost-Felcorp's Blue Diamond at Imperial Plaza, a 26-storey condominium tower.

Northeast view on Foxbar Road, image by Jack Landau

The northern portion of the structure—heritage designated in 2008—will be incorporated into the new Diamond Schmitt Architects-designed development. Preserving the church's prominent St. Clair Avenue West frontage is under the wing of heritage specialists ERA Architects, with a portion of the sanctuary's roof to be removed to create an open air courtyard for building residents and passersby.

Interior of Blue Diamond's courtyard, image courtesy of Camrost-Felcorp 

The rendering above shows how the former nave of the sanctuary will work as a courtyard, with trees planted, benches introduced, and architectural features dramatically lit. A glass wall will seal off the former chancel and apse as a restaurant space. Stained glass will remain in outer windows while side aisles will become sheltered walkways and seating areas.

Stone details at the south end of Deer Park United Church, image by Jack Landau

Interior plaster walls are being removed to expose the brick structural elements, followed by the application of exterior grade lime plaster that will match the original faux ashlar finish. The removal of an eastern addition, formerly used as a Sunday School, will expose the church's east exterior wall. Keeping with the project's theme of reinterpreting the site's history, stone from the demolished sections of the church will be saved and reused for the exteriors of the development's townhomes fronting onto Foxbar Road.

South end of Deer Park United Church being demolished, image by Jack Landau

Additional information and renderings can be found in our dataBase file for the project, linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum threads, or leave a comment in the space provided at the bottom of this page.

Related Companies:  Diamond Corp, Diamond Schmitt Architects, Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Live Patrol Inc.