The Central Presbyterian Church + Affordable Housing development is a 23-storey mixed-use high-rise, encompassing approximately 162,000 SF of above-grade space.
The main challenge for the Central Presbyterian Church project was the competing uses earmarked for the site. The Church had been an active part of the community for decades, and the refurbishment of the Church was an ongoing financial burden. In a partnership between the Church and their developer partner, this project harnessed the land’s value and density for a common benefit.
By taking advantage of the density that the site had to offer, the new building consisted of market rental and non-market rental over the new Church and support offices, which also included ground floor commercial spaces over the below grade parking levels. Our team reconciled the cascading levels of differing layouts and usages with a supporting structure two minimal partial transfer structures. One of which was a long-spanning transfer system to make way for a high-bay church space extending from level 2 to level 5. The second, smaller set of transfer beams, collected the peripheral tower columns and allowed for an efficient parking layout below grade on this zero lot-line site.
Environmental sustainability takes centre stage with the pursuit of LEED Gold Certification.
Awards: 2020 Architizer A+ Awards Popular Choice Winner – Architecture + Art