Everyone has their favourite collection of bars and eateries across downtown Toronto, whether you enjoy a crisp pint or a plate of classic pub grub.
A handful of those spots could be potentially turned into new residential buildings of all shapes and sizes according to applications filed by developers this year.
We gathered five downtown bars, restaurants and nightclubs that are up for redevelopment thanks to new applications submitted to city planners in 2021.
Former nightclub makes way for purpose-built rentals
Location: 412 Church Street
Developer: Fitzrovia Real Estate
Architect: bKL Architecture
Application filed: March 11th
Scale: 39 storeys, 319 units
Near the Ryerson University campus, an Ontario heritage building that was once used as a bar and nightclub received a development application that could turn it into a purpose-built rental high-rise.
The Stephen Murphy Houses and Store was built in 1891, and was previously occupied by the Barn and Stables nightclub until 2012, followed by the now-closed The Marquis of Granby pub. The development application would retain the Stephen Murphy Houses and Store as part of the base building to the tower above, which would house 319 units.
New storeys to rise above the Irish Embassy Pub
Location: 49 Yonge Street
Developer: SmartCentres
Architect: architectsAlliance
Application filed: November 8th
Scale: 60 storeys, 258 units
A landmark of the Yonge and Wellington streets intersection, the Irish Embassy Pub & Grill has long been a spot for pints of Guinness and Irish cuisine.
In November, plans were unveiled to convert the existing 1870s heritage building that houses the restaurant into the base of a slender tower. Two levels of underground parking, office and amenity space would be included in the 60-storey high-rise.
Legendary concert hall could be replaced by new tower
Location: 410 Sherbourne Street
Developer: Sorbara Group of Companies
Architect: Graziani + Corazza Architects Inc.
Application filed: November 7th
Scale: 39 storeys, 456 units
The Phoenix Concert Hall has attracted musicians from all over, including Tegan and Sara and The Foo Fighters. News recently broke that the nightclub was potentially up for redevelopment thanks to a 39-storey mixed-use tower proposed by Sorbara Group of Companies. A retail space on the ground floor of the proposed building would “honour the site’s history of live music performance,” according to the planning rationale.
The Phoenix Concert Hall joins a long list of Toronto music venues that have been or are slated to be converted into residential developments.
Yonge and Dundas pub slated for high-rise redevelopment
Location: 100 Bond Street
Developer: BAZIS
Architect: R. Varacalli Architect
Application filed: July 6th
Scale: 30 storeys, 287 units
The Imperial Pub near Dundas and Bond streets has been a gathering place for folks since the 1940s, and has been run by generations of the same family since its opening, according to planning documents.
This summer, plans were made public to redevelop the site into a 30-storey tower that would include new retail space and interior sunrooms in the majority of the units, but no parking.
Asymmetrical tower to take over bowling alley and restaurant
Location: 241 Richmond Street
Developer: Tridel
Architect: architectsAlliance
Application filed: June 16th
Scale: 41 storeys, 470 units
The tallest Canadian developer by storeys, Tridel, has plans for an “asymmetrical” tower on the site of a now-vacant Jack Astor’s restaurant location and The Ballroom restaurant and bowling alley.
The new tower would blend modern and heritage elements. A semi-enclosed pedestrian walkway would be constructed, providing access across the site to future public park planned for immediately east of the tower.
