Developer Collecdev is proposing a kind of mixed-use development we don't often see in Toronto: a high-rise condominium with a church at its base. Proposed to be constructed on the site of St. Monica's Roman Catholic Church at 44 Broadway Avenue near Yonge and Eglinton, the new building would rise 44 storeys and offer a 2,564 m² new church to replace the 1959-built building currently on site.

Looking north-west to St. Monicas Church on Broadway Avenue, image courtesy of Collecdev

The parish, looking to construct a new church, initiated a Request for Proposals to redevelop the site in December 2017. Collecdev was chosen from the 12 developers that participated in the RFP process. Designed by KPMB Architects, the new church is a modern take on a traditional worship space; clad in stone and gold-framed glass, rising four storeys, with a 25-metre steeple.

Heritage experts ERA Architects evaluated the existing church to determine whether its preservation would have been the best course of action here. They determined that because the interior of the building had been renovated numerous times since the initial construction, the building itself had taken on more of a utilitarian function and presented little heritage value.

Looking north-east to St. Monicas Church on Broadway Avenue, image courtesy of Collecdev

Behind, an 138-metre tall tower would house 398 condo units in a mix of 170 one-bedroom, 187 two-bedroom and 41 three-bedroom homes. Underground, 177 parking spaces would be constructed, with 60 designated specifically for parishioners. 

In the image below, 44 Broadway (indicated in yellow) stands within the growing number of developments in the Yonge and Eglinton area. Towers highlighted in blue are approved, while red buildings are in the proposal stage.

Development context of Broadway Avenue looking north-east from Yonge and Eglinton, image courtesy of Collecdev

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

* * *

UrbanToronto has a new way you can track projects through the planning process on a daily basis. Sign up for a free trial of our New Development Insider here.