38 Walmer Road

The Challenge

We were tasked with intensifying the site while retaining and integrating a portion of the existing heritage church building, including the coordination of a very challenging and complicated set of building components. There was unique consideration for the wide array of uses and programming that needed to be accommodated on site, including new space onsite for the Walmer Road Baptist Church, community/commercial space, open space, public realm improvements, and marrying the heritage asset with a new, modern building typology.

Our Solution

The project team was highly collaborative and there was significant coordination between heritage, architecture and planning to ensure that the public realm elements of the project were well treated, and that all uses onsite were integrated in a thoughtful manner. Our multidisciplinary team made key revisions to the proposal throughout the application process, including relocating the church’s sanctuary from the heritage building to the base of the new building to maximize the efficiency and circulation of all ground floor uses.

This collaboration, and ongoing work with City Staff and the Annex Residents’ Association, has resulted in a project that has met both the needs of the client, parish and community.

The Outcome

The project was ultimately approved at the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2025. The result was a beautifully designed 25-storey mixed-use building with public forecourt along Lowther Avenue, an amenity pavilion for residents, and new space on the ground floor for the Walmer Road Baptist Church. The restored sanctuary will be home to community/commercial space, with public realm improvements along Walmer Road and Lowther Avenue.

City Staff are exploring the opportunity to remove the western portion of Walmer Road in front of 38 Walmer Road to expand Gwendolyn MacEwen Parkette to create a continuous and expanded public realm for visitors and residents of the Annex.