MOD Developments has submitted a proposal to construct a 40-storey purpose-built rental tower at 736 Bathurst Street in Toronto. The project aims to integrate 386 new residential units with the preservation of a historic church located at the corner of Bathurst and Lennox Streets.
386 Units and a Zero-Parking Mandate
The residential component of the 736 Bathurst Street project is designed to tackle Toronto's shortage of larger rental options. according to the planning report, the tower will feature 36 studio apartments, 158 one-bedroom units, 153 two-bedroom units, and 39 three-bedroom units. This distribution ensures that approximately 50 percent of the homes are family-sized, a strategic move to attract a more diverse demographic than the typical investor-led condo development.
Perhaps the most provocative aspect of the MOD Developments plan is the total absence of on-site vehicle parking. In place of garages, the developer is proposing 454 bicycle parking spaces. This decision leverages the property's location, which is a four-minute walk from the Bathurst subway station, aligning the project with the city's broader goals for sustainable, transit-oriented growth.
Saving the 1888 Bathurst Methodist Church
The architectural centerpiece of the proposal is the adaptive reuse of the Bathurst Methodist Church, which was originally built in 1888. The site later served as the Randolph College of Performing Arts before falling into financial distress.. As reported, the design will maintain the church's buff brick masonry, using a modern tower form to create a distinct visual contrast between the heritage resource and the new high-rise.
MOD Developments intends to transform the interior and exterior of the church into a hub for commercial and cultural activity. this plan includes the addition of an outdoor patio at the intersection of Bathurst and Lennox Streets, ensuring the historic structure remains a public-facing asset rather than a closed-off pedestal for the tower above.
The Mirvish Village Effect and the Bathurst-Bloor Boom
The proposal at 736 Bathurst Street does not exist in a vacuum but is part of a massive redevelopment wave in the Bathurst and Bloor corridor . Immediately to the north, the former Honest Ed's site is being transformed into Mirvish Village, a mixed-use community consisting of five buildings ranging from 13 to 26 storeys. The success of Mirvish Village in blending heritage preservation with high-density rental housing provides a blueprint for the MOD Developments project.
Because 736 Bathurst Street sits within a Protected Major Transit Station Area, it is a prime candidate for the kind of density that the city is currently encouraging. The synergy between the new tower and the surrounding Mirvish Village development is likely to accelerate the transition of this neighborhood into a high-density residential and retail hub.
From MNP Monitoring to a Site-Specific Amendment
The journey to this proposal was marekd by significant financial instability. the property previously went through a peroid of insolvency and was managed by the court-appointed monitor MNP, who handled the formal sales process before MOD Developments acquired the site. This transition from a defaulted mortgage to a 40-storey vision highlights the opportunistic nature of Toronto's current real estate market.
However, several critical details remain unverified. while the report mentions the creation of "cultural space" within the church, it does not specify which organizations or types of businesses are being targeted. additionally, because the application is submitted as a site-specific amendment, it remains unclear how MOD Developments will navigate potential zoning challenges or community opposition to the tower's height.
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