BAD promises to do good for Christie, Brown & Co. Stables

Siobhan Geary —

The cherished historic façade of the Christie, Brown & Co. Stables will be preserved when the site is redeveloped into a 21-storey mixed-use building—if a bylaw amendment recommended by the Toronto and East York Community Council (TEYCC) is adopted by city council May 5.

Berkshire Axis Development (BAD) is seeking a zoning bylaw amendment to allow for this project’s construction. TEYCC gave the amendment their approval during a council meeting on April 14, but imposed a number of conditions that must be met before their request is considered by city council.

Façade of historic Christie Brown Stables will be presserved.

One of the conditions requires BAD to enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement with the city, identifying which elements of the building are to be preserved.

They must also obtain a conservation plan from a qualified heritage consultant, a requirement recommended by Councillor Pam McConnell.

“I think building Downtown…takes dexterity and it takes creativity. It also demands a willingness to listen to the community and to local neighborhoods,” said McConnell.

“I do think that it’s terribly important that as these properties are coming forward, we acknowledge those who I call the ‘great actors,’ the ones who look at heritage and are willing to protect it.”

BAD has embraced these conditions, having already committed to upholding the site’s history.

“We’ve incorporated the heritage building into the design of the new condominiums,” said BAD president Leslie Marlowe. “The conservation plan will detail how the building will be preserved from an architectural and structural perspective…It’s just putting what we’ve already agreed to in writing.”