Toronto neighbourhood rallying to save aging shopping plaza from demolition
A proposed multi-tower redevelopment of Toronto's first suburban shopping plaza has riled up a local councillor, who has embarked on a campaign to send developers back to the drawing board.
A proposed redevelopment of Lawrence Plaza at Bathurst and Lawrence would involve the demolition of the 72-year-old shopping centre and construction of as many as eight residential buildings.
Conceptual plans to redevelop the Lawrence Plaza property at 534 Lawrence Ave W. first emerged in early 2025 and were followed in June by a more fleshed-out concept from developer RioCan, in a joint venture with property owner the Milestone Group.
However, the project has not been met with the warmest reception by a long-serving local politician.
Local city councillor Mike Colle has taken a stand against the development, rallying neighbourhood support to stop the redevelopment of the plaza.
"This is our Town Centre and Much More than a Plaza," wrote Colle, clarifying that "Change and improvements are welcome but this proposed development is overkill."
Colle's campaign is gaining support from the plaza's most celebrated business.
Nathan Ladovsky of United Bakers Dairy Restaurant, which has been a tenant of the plaza since 1984 and is a beloved staple among the local Jewish community, has appeared in a video with Colle seeking support from area residents to save the business from redevelopment.
However, local concerns about the displacement of businesses have already been factored into plans. A phasing strategy calls for the community to be constructed across six separate stages, working from the northwest corner of the site, allowing businesses like United Bakers to remain in the longer term as redevelopment proceeds around them.
Colle intends to launch a petition and is planning a rally to "save Lawrence Plaza" later in the month.
The rally is planned to take place on Thursday, Nov. 20, in front of the Winners at Lawrence Plaza at 12:30 p.m.
Colle is asking locals to make signs, and is even telling people which slogans they should write, including "Save Toronto's Last Plaza," "Save our Local Businesses," and "Enough Condos Already."
Colle claims victories in past campaigns to save the landmark. He posits that, with community support, "we saved Postal Station K, Columbus Centre, Eglinton Theatre," despite the fact that Postal Station K was indeed redeveloped with a high-rise residential project, sparing only a tiny portion of the Art Deco landmark.
RioCan/Milestone Group
