Located in Toronto’s Annex neighbourhood, 300 Bloor St. West is the site of the Bloor Street United Church. Representative of Gothic Revival style and constructed in the 19th century, the Bloor Street United Church and its adjacent property, the historic Pidgeon House, have defined the corner of Bloor and Huron for well over a century. Now, a new project on the site lead by Collective Inc. is seeing the church undergo a major renovation, reinvention, and restoration. The project includes the construction of commercial, office and community spaces, a four-story glass pavilion on Bloor Street, and Cielo Condos, a 29-story residential high-rise tower integrated into and set back from the church.

The landscape design by JRS includes an urban forecourt on Bloor Street, a lush, tree-lined streetscape along Huron Street, a large courtyard, POPS space and midblock connection, and numerous private amenity terraces and spaces at grade and on the rooftops. The terrace on level four creates an outdoor lounge space for residents to gather and provides both panoramic views of the Toronto skyline and a dramatic view of the eastern corner tower of the existing church. On level six, the terrace has been designed to include lounge, dining and gathering spaces, with a kitchen, pergola, and seating around a central fire feature, all framed and complimented by diverse and significant planting.

This award-winning project will be an icon within the Annex neighbourhood and along the Bloor Street Corridor, providing well-designed spaces for both residents and visitors alike; key among those will be the POPS space and midblock connection that stitches the site into the broader neighbourhood. With ample seating below a new tree canopy, beautiful paving and salvaged features from the existing church, the POPS will create a peaceful space for gathering and contemplation. Overall, the landscape design for the site strives to knit together the renovated Gothic Revival church, the new four-story glass pavilion, and the sleek and modern condominium tower in a cohesive manner. The landscape is reflective and complimentary of the qualities of the Annex neighbourhood and it’s many impressive and historic garden spaces and creates unique and inviting places for people to gather and enjoy for years to come.