Toronto slaps down plans for massive tower to replace strip club

Plans to redevelop a landmark Toronto strip club with an enormous 64-storey condo tower have hit a bit of a snag following a refusal report issued by city planners in June.

A proposed redevelopment of the Brass Rail and surrounding properties just south of Yonge and Bloor has been in the works since September 2022, with a plan from Vancouver-based developer Concord emerging the following year, featuring a design from architects Dialog.

However, just months later — in December 2023 — City Council moved forward with a bid seeking heritage designation for properties at 699 Yonge Street and 707 Yonge Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. 

In February 2024, the designation passed, granting new heritage protections for the properties and foreshadowing the resistance that the redevelopment plans are now facing.

On June 19, the Director of Community Planning for Toronto and East York District issued a refusal report directing community council to pass on the 517-unit condo tower over massing and heritage concerns.

According to the report, "The application does not conserve the cultural heritage value of the properties at 699-707 Yonge Street, and the inadequate tower stepback overwhelms the heritage building's massing and scale," adding that "the proposed development's form and massing does not fit within the existing and planned context."

Heritage concerns stem from the preservation plan, which currently proposes removal of the north, south and east elevations of 699-705 Yonge Street. This would leave just the primary west elevation in place, with a portion reduced to a false front for an interior stairwell.

The recommendation for refusal is by no means the end for this scheme.

The developer has two options moving forward. Returning to the drawing board with refinements is one path forward, though the project may also be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).

According to the report, city staff will continue to receive additional or supplementary information about the application "should the decision to refuse the application be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal."