Groundbreaking for affordable housing development, new French-language theatre on Danforth Avenue celebrated
By JULIA SAWICKI
The City of Toronto officially broke ground on its new mixed-income, community focused housing development and French-language theatre on Danforth Avenue recently, marking a major milestone for affordable housing and the city’s francophone arts community.
The adjoining developments at 1111 and 1117 Danforth Ave. (at Byron Avenue just west of Greenwood Avenue) are a partnership between the City of Toronto, Neighbourhood Community Homes, Woodbourne Investments and Théâtre français de Toronto.
Together, the projects will bring more than 400 new homes to the Danforth, including affordable and rent-controlled units, while creating a permanent home for Toronto’s oldest French language theatre company.
Neighbourhood Community Homes, a non-profit housing provider, will operate the building, with occupancy expected to start in 2029.
Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto-Danforth Councilor Paula Fletcher, partners and community representatives gathered last week to celebrate the official groundbreaking, thanking the groups that made the project possible.
“City building is really where it’s at,” said Fletcher. “When we can do something different and new, why would we do the same old thing over and over again.”
“Thank you for taking a chance on what I think is going to be one of the most exciting projects on the Danforth that we will be building in a long time,” she added.
The development is designed as a mixed-income community, combining affordable housing with market rental units in an effort to create a more accessible neighbourhood while addressing the city’s growing housing needs.
“Toronto is a city that needs more housing of every type,” said Nick Mcrae, president of Woodbourne. “Getting it built requires new ways of working together. This partnership demonstrated what can happen when private sectors and non-profit housing expertise come together around a shared goal.”
“We’re able to create efficiencies that strengthen both developments and deliver more homes, including the much-needed affordable housing to the Danforth community,” he added.
Alongside the new housing, the development will provide a permanent home at the base of 1111 Danforth for Théâtre français de Toronto, which has operated for nearly six decades without its own dedicated performance space. In her remarks, Fletcher acknowledges the francophone community in the East End, saying the addition of the theatre shows the thought and care put into the project. Representatives of the theatre were also present at the event, to give their remarks, both in English and in French.
“After 59 years without a permanent home, Théâtre français de Toronto is thrilled to become part of this new Danforth community, one where housing and culture coexist,” said Karine Ricard, administrative director and co-general manager of Théâtre français de Toronto.
“This new theatre will be a space where French speaking culture will proudly thrive for artists, for young and old audiences alike. Today, as we break first ground, we are building an anchor for the French language arts and culture at the heart of this community,” added Ghislaine Caron, Artistic Director and Co-General Manager for Théâtre français de Toronto.”
