Revitalizing Cabbagetown:
440 rental homes and a revitalized community hub

Transformational redevelopment proposed for iconic Saint Luke’s building at Sherbourne and Carlton
SOURCE: Kindred Works

Kindred Works has submitted the Zoning By-law Amendment and Official Plan Amendment application to the City of Toronto to redevelop the iconic Saint Luke’s into a vibrant, mixed-use community hub. Located at the northeast gateway to Cabbagetown, the project will introduce 440 new purpose-built rental units, 1,453 square metres of flexible community space, a community event hall, and an enhanced public realm along Sherbourne Street.

The proposed development will retain and revitalize key elements of the 1887 Romanesque church and 1912 schoolhouse, preserving the site’s heritage while building upwards in a transit- and cycling-friendly location. This redevelopment aims to honour Saint Luke’s legacy, add much-needed housing, and support the community with sustainable design that avoids casting new shadows on Allan Gardens’ treasured greenspace.

By removing the narthex addition, the original building wall is revealed, creating a barrier-free entrance and re-establishing a publicly accessible square along Sherbourne. This reimagined forecourt will bring new vibrancy to the street and create opportunities for community connection, gathering and public life. A proposed social-purpose café and a second-floor terrace overlooking the forecourt and Allan Gardens, will further animate the site.

“We’re proud to be leading this transformational project that reimagines Saint Luke’s as a vibrant and sustainable mixed-use site,” says David Constable, the founding partner at Kindred Works. “This is an incredible opportunity to preserve a place with deep roots in Toronto’s history, while bringing necessary housing to the city core. This building incorporates beautiful homes along with thoughtful shared spaces that will ensure the community has a vibrant heart for generations to come.”

The proposal has been developed with acclaimed Toronto design firms, with KPMB Architects leading the design of the new building, and ERA Architects serving as the heritage architects on the project.

“At 353 Sherbourne we approached the adaptive reuse of Saint Luke’s as an opportunity to honour it’s spaces and legacy by transforming it into a flexible public event hall and community space, deeply rooted in the daily life of the neighbourhood”, says Kevin Bridgman, Partner, KPMB Architects. “With a new landscaped forecourt along Sherbourne Street, a ground floor café, and welcoming meeting spaces, the reimagined site will host everything from markets to community gatherings—providing a vital civic amenity that anchors the north end of the City’s planned Garden District.”

Kindred Works has been engaging the community since 2020 to understand priorities, needs and aspirations for the neighbourhood and the site, with feedback incorporated into evolving plans each step of the way. Engagement with local organizations, community groups and residents will continue through the planning process, including a community open house in the coming months.

“MASSIVart is thrilled to collaborate with Kindred Works on the creative placemaking plan for the transformative Saint Luke’s redevelopment,” says Philippe Demers, CEO & Founder, MASSIVart. “Our goal is to carry forward Saint Luke’s legacy as a space for people in the community to feel welcome, find meaning, and connect by developing a community-informed vision that will guide the design of exterior and interior community spaces.”

Saint Luke’s has a long history of serving the community. Once complete, the new community space will welcome the Saint Luke’s United Church congregation while also opening the doors to an expanded range of arts, culture and community programming.