Toronto is preparing to make a difficult but transformative planning decision as the city moves toward approving the demolition of most of the heritage-protected Carlton Theatre at 509 Parliament Street, with its historic façade to be retained and incorporated into a new ten-storey mixed-use condominium. The project, led by Streetwise Capital Partners with architectural design by RAW Design, reflects a growing development model in legacy neighbourhoods—preserving select heritage elements while enabling modern, high-density construction.
A Heritage Landmark at the End of Its Lifecycle
Built in 1929, the Carlton Theatre is an example of Classical Revival architecture, originally designed by Pittsburgh theatre architect Herbert G. Duerr. It served as a neighbourhood cinema until the mid-1950s before its conversion into a CBC recording studio, a function it held for nearly 40 years. In its most recent chapter, the building became home to the Canadian Children’s Dance Theatre, later renamed the Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre.
The one-storey masonry building is protected under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, but its formal designation—approved by Toronto City Council in 2024—is still under provincial appeal. Despite its heritage protections, Streetwise Capital Partners has applied under Sections 33 and 34 of the Act to alter and demolish heritage attributes. With City staff now supportive of revised plans submitted in June 2025, approval is expected to move forward at the next meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council.
Design Approach: A Modern Mid-Rise Rising Behind a Restored Façade
The proposed development features a ten-storey mixed-use condominium, stepping back nearly four metres from the restored heritage façade. This setback is intentional—it creates a visible separation between the historic street presence and the contemporary structure above, allowing the theatre frontage to read as a standalone architectural element rather than an absorbed fragment.
Key heritage conservation measures include:
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Reinstatement of infilled storefront openings
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Recreation of original entrance doors based on archival photos
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Reconstruction of the ticket box office
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Installation of period-appropriate poster boxes and wall sconces
BlogTo reports that Heritage specialists ERA Architects are guiding the restoration, using historical drawings and photographs to replicate materials, storefront geometry, and ornamentation with precision.
Above and behind the façade, the new condominium will introduce modern urban housing to Parliament Street. While detailed residential program information has yet to be released, the building will include ground-floor retail to maintain the traditional commercial rhythm of the Cabbagetown main street.
Construction Details and Project Delivery
To integrate a fragile heritage façade into a mid-rise concrete structure, construction will unfold in highly sequenced phases.
1. Façade Stabilization
Before demolition begins, contractors will install steel shoring frames and lateral bracing to secure the theatre’s west elevation. This ensures the brick façade remains structurally stable while the remainder of the building behind it is removed.
2. Demolition and Site Preparation
The non-heritage portions of the existing building will be carefully demolished. Site work will include:
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Selective structural removal
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Salvaging usable brick components
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Utility disconnection and rerouting
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Preparation for excavation equipment
3. Excavation and Foundation Construction
The new condominium will likely require:
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Shallow caissons or drilled piers
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Waterproofed foundation walls
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A podium-level mechanical and electrical room integrated into the new structure
Special attention must be paid to avoid vibration impacts on the retained façade.
4. Superstructure and Building Envelope
Once the podium is built, tower floors will rise using:
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Reinforced concrete slabs
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Concrete shear walls for lateral stability
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High-performance window wall systems for upper levels
The restored theatre façade will eventually be tied back into the building envelope using stainless-steel anchors.
Construction Trades Involved
A project blending heritage conservation with mid-rise construction requires deep collaboration across numerous skilled trades, including:
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Heritage Masons – restoring original brickwork, repointing, and reconstructing architectural elements
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Shoring and Structural Stabilization Crews – installing façade retention systems
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Demolition Specialists – selective removal of interior structures
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Excavation Contractors – below-grade preparation and foundation work
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Concrete Formwork Carpenters and Finishers – building the podium and tower floors
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Ironworkers – reinforcing steel placement and façade anchoring
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Glaziers and Curtain Wall Installers – fitting modern window wall systems
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HVAC Technicians – installing energy-efficient heating and cooling
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Electricians and Low-Voltage Installers – wiring residential units and common areas
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Plumbers and Pipefitters – installing domestic and fire protection systems
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Interior Finishing Trades – drywall, flooring, painting, millwork
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Landscape Construction Teams – preparing sidewalks, street trees, and public realm elements
Each trade plays a critical role in delivering a development that respects Toronto’s architectural history while accommodating modern needs.
A Changing Main Street in Cabbagetown
The forthcoming demolition of most of the Carlton Theatre is bittersweet for local residents who have long valued the building’s cultural lineage. Yet, city planners note that the revised proposal finally meets conservation guidelines after earlier submissions fell short.
Staff now find the plans “consistent with the policy framework” and supportive of heritage goals. If approved, the surviving façade will remain a visual reminder of the site’s nearly century-long presence, while the new structure introduces housing and commercial space aligned with current urban pressures.
The blending of old and new is expected to define how this stretch of Parliament Street evolves in coming years—a celebration of memory, paired with necessary reinvestment.
