Canada’s United, Anglican and Presbyterian churches have signed leases to share national-office space in a downtown Toronto church redevelopment project.

The Bloor Street United Church, built in 1886, is being redeveloped as part of a mixed-used project that will include the 29-storey Cielo Condos tower. Construction is already underway on the project, which is a joint-venture between Northrop Development and Collecdev.

“The agreement reflects the churches’ ongoing commitment to nurturing ecumenical relationships and cooperation, to reducing costs and their carbon footprint,” said the three churches in a news release.

In addition to the refurbished Bloor Street United Church, the project is slated to include office, community, commercial, and worship spaces. The three denominations will share space in a new office building, which will include shared archives, meeting and video spaces.

“The possibility of better ecumenical collaboration in this space will also allow us to make more effective use of our financial and human resources,” said the Ven. Alan Perry, general secretary of the Anglican Church of Canada. “Being so close to good public transit allows for easy access to visitors to our offices and means we will have less impact on the environment.”

The opportunity to share the office space emerged from a conversation and relationship between the churches, said the Rev. Victor Kim, principal clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

“We are excited about the possibility of the relationship and working together, with a commitment to mission and ministry,” said Rev. Michael Blair, general secretary of the United Church of Canada.

The redevelopment project is slated to be completed in 2026.

Photo (left to right): Victor Kim, United Church of Canada; Rev. Michael Blair, United Churchof Canada; and, the Ven. Alan Perry, Anglican Church of Canada.