Illustration of 230 Donway West

The Proposal

230 The Donway West

Welcome to the future of Donway West

This redevelopment proposes to provide the congregation a modern, efficient building and a strengthened financial position, expand park space and make home ownership more attainable to the community.

In order to maintain congregational sustainability, The Donway Covenant United Church (DCUC) congregation has voted to partner with non-profit housing developer Options for Homes to redevelop its church property with a new sanctuary, multi-purpose facility, and an affordable ownership housing development.

The proposed plan includes the replacement of all buildings on site with a new building, terracing from three to six storeys, which will incorporate a new church sanctuary, and multi-purpose facility for the DCUC.

Preliminary site plan

Our shared vision is to strengthen the presence of The Donway Covenant United Church (DCUC) as a community anchor and to make home ownership more attainable.

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Donway Site Plan

This proposal includes

The Donway Covenant United Church

  • A new and efficient building with about 8,000 ft² of space
  • 100-person assembly space
  • Multi-purpose rooms, available for community use
  • Commercial kitchen
  • Choir room
  • Underground and surface parking spaces for congregation

Residential development

  • 6-storey mid-rise building
  • 308 residential units including 4 townhomes
  • 218 residential parking spaces
  • 40 non-residential parking spaces for visitors and the Church
  • 232 bicycle spaces
  • A variety of unit sizes for all households
  • Over 5,000 ft² of dedicated land to expand Duncairn Park
Rendering of 230 The Donway West

Our vision

The Donway Covenant United Church has acted as a community hub and sanctuary of worship since the 1960s. This redevelopment will honour and enhance this legacy.

  • How the proposal meets the criteria set by the DCUC congregation:

    1. Creates a legacy that includes housing and is aligned with the congregation’s values
    2. Includes worship space that can also be used for other purposes
    3. Includes space to run the congregation’s programs
    4. Provides for the congregation to continue worshipping together throughout the process of redevelopment
    5. Accommodates volunteer resources for ongoing operations during and after redevelopment
    6. Allows the congregation to be financially viable, creating a sustainable financial footing that does not rely on rental income

  • The development proposal conserves the heritage value of the existing church and area by:

    1. Continuing the DCUC congregation’s six-decade presence of worship and service provision on this church site as set out in the original Don Mills Master Plan.
    2. Conserving Don Mills' neighbourhood character by integrating Mid-Century Modern design principles through its architectural approach, a campus-like setting, use of green space, and pedestrian path connections.
    3. Responding to local needs. The DCUC’s partnership with Options for Homes introduces a contemporary local community builder to the site, just as architects and community builders James Murray and John Layng developed the site to meet existing community needs in the 1950s and '60s.
    https://www.datocms-assets.com/38694/1617408211-ourvisionimg1-2x.png?h=453

  • The development proposal includes considerable improvements to the surrounding public realm, including:

    • Ample green space, including parkland dedication to expand Duncairn Park
    • Beautified landscaping along all four edges of the site, including the DCUC's memorial trees
    • Front lawns with a similar landscape treatment to low-rise housing nearby
    • Integration of a pedestrian path that weaves around the building

      View larger landscape plan
    https://www.datocms-assets.com/38694/1699568467-donway-site-plan_nov-2023.png?h=453

  • The partnership between the DCUC and Options for Homes allows for:

    • Creating community spaces for the DCUC’s services and programs that provide valuable resources and help to foster social connections between community members 
    • Housing options that allow families and individuals to remain in the Don Mills neighbourhood or move there in order to access more easily attainable ownership
    • A long-lasting sanctuary within the neighbourhood that supports an inclusive environment in accordance with its status as an Affirming Ministry
    https://www.datocms-assets.com/38694/1617408367-ourvisionimg3-2x.png?h=453

Landscape plan

The landscape proposal includes over 5,000 square feet of land to expand Duncairn Park.

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Donway Site Plan

A connected community

This redevelopment proposes to provide the congregation a modern, efficient building and a strengthened financial position, expand park space and bring affordable ownership housing to the community.

230 & 240 The Donway West

The site is currently occupied by surface-level parking and two buildings:

  1. The Donway Covenant United Church (DCUC): to be replaced onsite
  2. Brighton School: moving to 150 Wynford Drive in early 2021

Location highlights

  • Located northwest of the Lawrence Avenue East and Don Mills Road intersection
  • Approximately a four-minute walk to Shops at Don Mills
  • The site is well-served by community amenities such as surface transit (with direct connections to subway and LRT services), schools, parks and libraries, as well as commercial and employment uses.

Project documents

See below for a full list of the application materials, community presentations, City Staff reports, and meeting notes related to our proposal.

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