DiamondCorp and Kilmer Group have submitted updated plans for the Chester Public School heritage redevelopment, bringing higher density, restored heritage features, and a 26-storey mixed-use condo tower to East York. The project will preserve key architectural elements of the 1891 Chester Public School, while adding over 300 residential units, retail at grade, and a public park. It’s part of a broader push in Toronto for transit-oriented intensification and heritage preservation.
Historical & Policy Background
The redevelopment site, addressed as 954-958 Broadview Avenue / 72 Chester Hill Road, was once home to the Chester Public School, an architecturally significant brick building designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. Storeys Over time, additions were made (e.g. rear additions in 1963 and 1976, an accessible entrance in 1995), and some original features like the peaked bell tower were removed. The school later became home to The Estonian House, serving the community until 2020.
Under Ontario’s updated planning framework (including the 2024 Provincial Planning Statement) and the recent designation of the site within the Broadview Protected Major Transit Station Area (PMTSA), developers DiamondCorp and Kilmer argue for increased height and density. The redevelopment seeks Official Plan Amendment (OPA) and Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) to accommodate these changes.
The Revised Proposal & Key Features
The newly proposed design includes:
- A 26-storey mixed-use condominium tower, replacing previous plans for a much shorter structure.
- Approximately 315 residential units, divided among 212 studios or one-bedrooms, 76 two-bedrooms, and 22 three-bedrooms, including eight affordable ownership units.
- Ground-floor retail space (about 1,076 sq ft) along Broadview Avenue.
- Amenity spaces totaling around 13,347 sq ft, spread over various levels: inside and outside at grade, on the third floor, and a terrace atop the four-storey podium.
- Vehicular parking (81 spots) and bicycle parking (176 spots) to support transit and active transport.
Heritage preservation is central: the original schoolhouse will be restored, including the reconstruction of lost features such as the bell tower and chimney. Additions that aren’t part of the heritage character will be removed.
Location & Urban Context
Located about a seven-minute walk north of Broadview Station (TTC Line 2), the site sits between the East York suburbs and the Todmorden Mills historic and natural ravine areas. The new public park (2,583 sq ft along Broadview Avenue) and a parcel of land (roughly 8,040 sq ft) conveyed to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority will help connect green space to this development.
The heritage redevelopment is shaped in a long rectangular form stretching east-west from Broadview Ave toward the ravine, maximizing views and access to natural landscape while respecting the heritage building footprint.
Implications & Significance
This revised heritage redevelopment project reflects broader trends in Toronto real estate: increasing density around transit, adaptive reuse of heritage structures, and balancing growth with preservation. It shows how policy shifts like PMTSA and provincial planning statements are enabling bigger projects near transit hubs.
For East York and the Broadview North neighbourhood, this development could bring more housing supply, retail amenities, and public green space. It also raises questions about infrastructure demands, shadows, and compatibility with the existing community fabric. If approved, it sets a precedent for how heritage properties can be integrated into large-scale developments without losing their character.
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Final Thoughts
The Chester Public School heritage redevelopment proposal by DiamondCorp & Kilmer is one of the most ambitious heritage-adaptive reuse projects in recent Toronto history. It attempts to marry preservation with modern density: restoring lost architectural features, maintaining essential heritage character, and adding significant housing just steps from transit.
If approved, the 26-storey tower with over 300 units will help address housing demand in one of the city’s most connected neighbourhoods. The inclusion of affordable ownership units, substantial amenity spaces, and public park features enhances its potential community impact.
However, heritage redevelopment approval is not guaranteed. The project must navigate public input, potential concerns over height, density, shadowing, and infrastructure capacity. Toronto residents will likely look closely at how the design mitigates impacts to views, traffic, and neighborhood fit.
In sum, this redevelopment embodies a model for future growth: heritage saved, new housing added, transit leveraged, and community valued. It’s a project to watch—because it may well influence how Toronto balances its past and its future.
