A long-anticipated redevelopment at Toronto’s Queen and Church intersection is back in motion, this time with a significantly larger proposal. The project, led by Pemberton Group, would transform a historic strip of pawn shops into a 61-storey condominium tower.
Located at 137-149 Church Street and 18-20 Dalhousie Street, the site has been a recognizable part of the city’s urban fabric for decades. Now, after multiple redesigns and regulatory setbacks, the latest proposal introduces a taller, more vertically ambitious structure.
BlogTo reports that the development site currently includes a row of long-standing commercial buildings that have historically housed pawn shops, including notable operators such as McTamney’s and H. Williams & Co.
From a construction perspective, the site presents several considerations:
The block is already undergoing transformation, with nearby high-rise projects contributing to increased density in the area.
The current proposal is the result of nearly a decade of revisions. Initially introduced as a 49-storey tower in 2018, the project evolved into a 54-storey design approved in 2022 through an Ontario Land Tribunal settlement.
However, a 2024 Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) introduced new constraints tied to an expanded air ambulance flight path serving St. Michael’s Hospital. These changes forced the development team to revisit the design entirely.
The revised 2026 proposal reflects:
This redesign demonstrates how external regulatory factors can significantly reshape construction planning and building form.
The tower is being designed by Graziani + Corazza Architects, with a focus on integrating heritage elements while delivering a high-rise residential structure.
Key design features include:
Constructing above retained façades requires specialized sequencing and temporary support systems, making façade retention one of the most technically demanding aspects of the project.
The increased height allows for additional residential density, with the updated plan expanding the total unit count.
Project details include:
This density reflects ongoing efforts to optimize land use in transit-accessible, high-demand urban locations.
Projects of this nature introduce multiple layers of complexity, particularly in a constrained downtown environment.
Key construction challenges include:
Each of these factors requires careful planning and coordination across trades and project phases.
A high-rise, heritage-integrated project like this engages a wide range of specialized trades:
The façade retention component alone adds a layer of complexity that demands experienced restoration and structural teams.
The proposal arrives at a time when Toronto’s condo market is facing notable headwinds. Slowing sales and shifting investor dynamics have impacted project timelines across the city.
Despite these challenges, the increased scale of this proposal suggests a continued push toward maximizing density on prime urban sites. Whether the project advances as planned will depend on market conditions, financing, and approvals.
The Queen and Church redevelopment represents a blend of old and new, combining heritage preservation with high-rise construction. It highlights the evolving nature of urban development, where regulatory changes, market forces, and design innovation intersect.
For contractors and construction professionals, projects like this raise an important question: how do you balance preservation with progress while delivering complex, high-density builds?
If realized, this 61-storey tower will stand as a defining addition to the downtown skyline, reshaping a historic block while maintaining a connection to its architectural past.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - Dalhousie & Church Mixed Use Development - Toronto (0031062018)