Beyond Housing

544 Bridgeport Rd

Opportunity

The site of the former St. Paul’s Lutheran Church presented a prime opportunity to address the pressing need for affordable housing in the area. Recognizing this potential, the project aimed to create a mixed-use development that would not only provide 84 new affordable dwelling units but also include community amenities on the ground floor, enriching the local neighborhood and supporting community cohesion.

Response

Drawing inspiration from the original mid-century modern structure of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, the new building design integrates elements from the site’s historical significance. Collaborating closely with Beyond Housing, as well as user groups from Parents for Community Living and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, a program was developped that meets the needs of the community. The resulting five-storey mixed-use development not only provides affordable housing but also adheres to stringent barrier-free accessibility and energy efficiency standards set by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) National Co-Investment Fund.