Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is partnering with Wittington Properties Ltd. on a mixed-use development in Toronto that incorporates the historic Loblaw Groceterias building.
Located at the northeast corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Bathurst St., the building will be revitalized as part of the West Block project. It was constructed in 1928.
The project, which spans an entire city block, will combine retail facilities anchored by a 50,000-square-foot Loblaws Great food store, with office space and two residential condo towers.
The seven-storey commercial component, to be housed in the former Loblaw building, will provide approximately 245,000 square feet of gross leasable space.
The condo towers will be constructed by developer Concord Adex which has entered into an agreement to acquire the air rights to the property.
Plans for the project were unveiled by Choice Properties and Wittington Properties in early August.
While a construction start date was not announced, the firms said the West Block development is projected to open by spring 2019.
Kim Lee, vice-president, investor relations and financial planning and analysis at Choice Properties, said via email that a construction manager is expected to be retained within the next six to 12 months.
The project team includes ERA Architects, architectsAlliance and Page + Steele IBI Group.
In a joint release, Choice Properties and Wittington Properties said the Loblaw building, which received a heritage designation from the city in 2001, will be "rejuvenated."
The exterior façade will be dismantled "brick by brick, stone by stone, cleaned and preserved then put back together again to restore the building to its original glory."
A firm of expert heritage masons will be responsible for dismantling and reconstructing the stone and brick units. Once dismantled, each piece will be stored off site and cleaned when the building is ready for reconstruction.
Almost 100,000 bricks will be reclaimed for the restoration of the building.
The bronze door frame belonging to the office entrance of the original Loblaw building will be salvaged and restored.
"By preserving the original façade of the building, we are honouring the proud heritage of this important piece of Toronto real estate," Choice Properties president and CEO John Morrison said in the release.
Some contemporary modifications will be made to the sides of the building, such as enlarging window openings for retail use.
"With new windows, the building will be energy-efficient, as well as representative of the 1920s character and appearance," Choice Properties and Wittington Properties said in a backgrounder.
The condo towers, 37 and 41 storeys in height, will contain 876 dwelling units.
Three levels of underground parking are proposed in the West Block development.
Lee said ground will be broken on the condo towers in conjunction with the commercial component.
Asked whether the project is expected to pose any challenges from a construction perspective, Lee said the developers are working with a team of experts to redevelop the 3.5 acre site.
"While the heritage aspect of the historical building introduces unique features, our development plan takes into consideration all foreseeable facets of construction."
The Loblaw Groceterias building was constructed at a cost of $1.25 million. It was designed by the Toronto-based architecture firm of Sparling, Martin and Forbes.
Choice Properties is an owner, manager and developer of retail and commercial real estate across Canada.
Wittington Properties is the Canadian real estate division of Wittington Investments, Ltd.
Concord Adex is the largest residential developer in Canada specializing in urban communities.
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