Will a massive tower near St. James Park change Toronto’s skyline?

These meeting notes are part of Documenters Canada, which is partly funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Learn more about our program here. The Green Line maintains full editorial independence to ensure journalistic integrity.

A 91-storey tower is raising the age-old debate of what’s more important: the past or the future? History or development?

At a Toronto Preservation Board meeting on April 27, staff reviewed plans for a huge redevelopment at Toronto and Adelaide St. E.

The project would add a mixed-use building while keeping parts of existing heritage properties and demolishing a smaller property that isn’t considered historically significant. The development would include commercial, office and residential spaces.

17-19 Toronto St. and 57 Adelaide St. E. would be preserved entirely, while 25 Toronto St. and 55 Adelaide St. E. would only maintain the outside wall’s appearance. 23 Toronto St. would be demolished. Staff said the smaller property isn’t historically significant. 

Board members had quite a few concerns on the development of this building — the first of which is that it’s too tall. 

“I’m just wondering if the 90 storeys is going to be appropriate,” said Mitch Bubulj, chair of the North York Community Preservation Panel. “It would overshadow St. James Cathedral.”

Development staff said they’ve worked to reduce any shadow impacts. 

Other concerns raised included if the height of the building and its location would interfere with the emergency helicopter route to St. Michael’s hospital. 

Staff said the issue would be dealt with as planning continues.

The project is still moving through the City’s approval process, which allows for community members and Torontonians to provide input before a final decision is made. You can find out how to make a deputation through The Green Line’s guide. 

At this meeting, the Board also reviewed plans to designate semi-detached homes on Huntley and Isabella streets as heritage properties. Council must make a decision at its May 20 meeting.

The Board also reviewed a Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment identifying 22 properties with cultural heritage value.