City
The Condo Market Gets Another History Lesson
Another beautiful and historical work of architecture in Toronto is set to join the swelling ranks of the condo market. The Toronto City Council plans to make the Victoria-Royce Presbyterian Church located at 152 Annette Street, in the Junction, an Ontario Heritage Site. History buffs are likely to be disappointed, as the building is scheduled to be transformed into lofts.
The building dates back to 1892 when it was constructed by architects Wilm Knox and John Elliot to house the congregation of the West Toronto Junction Presbyterian Church. After the construction of the church, it was renamed the Victoria Presbyterian Church in honour of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897. The church was closed in June 2006.
The church is one of a number of heritage sites/churches housed in the neighbourhood. Among the group, three are also included in the city's heritage inventory - including Keele Street Church of Christ (1890) at 99 Annette, Annette Street Baptist Church (1888) at 200 Annette, and High Park-Alhambra United Church (1908) at 260 High Park Avenue.
But sadly, the 'condofication' of the Victoria-Royce Presbyterian Church is becoming a common story. The Centenniel United Church - just south of Bloor on Dovercourt Road--is also being flipped into condos. It's the same story for the Abbey lofts, formerly the Howard Park Methodist Church, in the Roncesvalles/High Park neighbourhood.
Churches aren't alone in suffering the fate of condo developers, as an increasing number of sites across the city are being taken over by the real estate sector. Just take a walk through the Distillery District and you'll see a number of new condos. Or head south to Liberty Village and visit the Toy Factory Lofts, made from a building constructed around the turn of the century.
Some enthusiasts call it progress, claiming that turning a heritage or historical site into a condo can actually preserve the character of the building and its neighbourhood. But I don't buy it. I'd rather see the buildings refitted for community centers and neighbourhood museums. This would both preserve the character of the neighbourhood, while allowing members of the public to take in a bit of the city's history.
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No, we wouldn't want any community building efforts here in Tocondo, now would we? At least, none not owned by a corporation...
I do wish they would build more No-Frills, mixed-market-social-housing buildings a la One Cole; but even then TO real estate prices are reasonable compared to other big cities.
If there isn't money for the city to turn the building into a (well maintained) community centre and there are no private corporations willing to spend the money to do it, should we complain when a condo developer steps in?
And as lovely as a community centre would be, they aren't known for their upkeep. Being transformed into a condo will ensure the building stays standing for many more years and kept in the best possible shape (even if the historic aspect is limited to just a facade).
What the city can do:
Since they can't afford to be opening community centres everywhere, they need to encourage businesses to invest in properties by providing tax incentives, low rent, etc
BUT, they have to ensure the building is well kept, and be a benefit to the neighbourhood. They might have to be flexible, ie, allowing some retail or condo space in addition to the public space.
If that doesn't pan out, the least the city can do is ensure companies keep as much of the original structure/style intact in the event it gets turned into condos/etc. Simply saving the facade doesn't cut it.
Just another reason to get your back up. Oh my good its happening again!!! Tocondo!
Did you ever use this building? Probably not. Whatever happens to it you probably won't use it either, so its a completely useless building to you. Let those that want to do something with it do something with it, "The church was closed in June 2006".
Reuse is good. But the idea that building neighbourhoods happens only through non-commercial buildings that everyone's allowed to go into is as silly as the idea that making Yonge Street pedestrian-only will suddenly turn it into a destination (because, obviously, nobody goes there now - not counting shoppers, tourists, and kids who feel like hanging out downtown).
Neighbourhoods happen when people live there and have local shops they can go to for their everyday needs, schools and childcare for their kids, and a park with a playground and a dog run. People will live in the converted church. Sounds like neighbourhood-building to me.
As for the community centre suggestion, that might work in other areas, but the article doesn't mention the fact that the Victoria-Royce church is directly across the street from a public library and is a 5-10 minute walk from the Annette Rec Centre (or if you catch the Dupont bus that runs on Annette, probably about 2 minutes).
Turning it into a community ctr. would be great also, but there is one already down the street.
HIstory Buffs get schooled in addition, subtraction and condofication 101.
Also, turning these into lofts is much better than seeing things deteriorate and bulldozered. Just look at some Rep. Cinema's around town for evidence, which some have been turned into cruddy "variety stores"!! How's that for heritage.
Again, there's no money from both the city or private investors. Now excuse me i'm going out to buy a lotto ticket..
http://torontocitylife.com/
The problem is that museums and community centres don't make money and every old building can't become a museum or a community centre.
I'd rather see it stay a church, but if that's not possible it's better to turn it into something that will turn a profit, since that gives the building a chance to survive.
There is / was a big old abandoned church at College and Palmerston or so; when I first saw it was for sale I had this crazy fantasy that someone should put a restaurant in there... a colossal dining room with soaring ceilings, stained glass windows, wood beams, iron chandeliers... although it wouldn't have a chance of being profitable after fickle Little Italy diners tired of the Hogwarts vibe. I haven't been by lately, but I'm sure it will have a "condos coming soon" sign on it soon if it doesn't already.
So it can be done successfully.
http://www.oran-mor.co.uk/images.php
If it's sold to developers who will make good use of the building and not tear it down, then great. That's a million times better than the building getting leveled and some bullshit ugly tower getting put up in its place.
" I'd rather see the buildings refitted for community centers and neighbourhood museums."
Righhhht. And who the fuck is supposed to pay for this?
Anti-condo people need to get over themselves.
seriously, tell me when you where a young boy that you did not think of better places to be than in church on a sunday morning! like riding your bike, or skateboarding, or playing in the dirt...
now you can skate... ...in church tada
did you cry as well when the runnymede theatre got turned into chapters?
Great idea. Get all the skaters cash to together buy the place,start the business, open for business, and see how long you survive...
I grew up in the neighbourhood of this particular conversion. There are already lots of other functioning churches in the area, as well as community amenities. I could not see a neighbourhood museum being a success as museums need tourists as well...because how often would you go to this theoretical museum if you lived in the area? From what I can tell, the area wouldn't attract enough outside people for such a project to survive. It would have to be something really great (read: $$$) to do so.
Bottom line is, the city or a different kind of developer/entrepreneur didn't step in. No point whining about it.
Its difficult to tell as the spire is not included in the photo which is a stark difference between the two.
Check the website http://www.thechurchlofts.com