The relationship between Bloor Street United Church and Collecdev has been built upon mutual respect and a shared vision for a stronger community. This month, that relationship reached another milestone with the ceremonial handover of the church.

Bloor Street United Church has been a cornerstone of the Annex for over 130 years. Now, through a historic collaboration with Collecdev, the site will soon transform into a thriving new community that is socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable, a community that will enrich the neighbourhood and allow BSUC to continue its great work for the next 100+ years.

On March 23rd, members of the BSUC congregation and members of Collecdev met at the Cielo Presentation Centre to mark the next stage of development. The event included an opening prayer, remarks from both groups, a look ahead at construction and a lively meet-and-greet, a particularly convivial momentthat marked the first time many participants had been face-to-face in over two years, due to the global pandemic.

Honouring both the significance of the event and the spirit of our commitment to social sustainability and public art, Collecdev presented the church with a special edition print of the hand-sketched illustration of Cielo by local artist, “Pen to Papier.” Members of the Design Advisory Committee signed the print, leaving a physical symbol of their lasting impact on the project, a symbol that will be on permanent display once the redevelopment is complete.

The culmination of the event was the symbolic handover of the key from BSUC to Collecdev, a gesture signifying how the church has entrusted the site to our team, confident that we will shepherd it into a new era of prosperity and community. 20 smaller commemorative keys were handed out to the BSUC Trustees, Chair of Council, the Redevelopment Steering Committee and the Relocation Task Group, all of whom have played an integral role in the development, stewarding the entire process on behalf of the church.

The afternoonmarked a significant milestone for everyone in attendance, a symbol not only of the years of hard work and dedication that have led up to this point, but of the generations of inclusiveness, belonging and community that Cielo will come to signify when it is complete.

To learn more about Cielo and about Collecdev’s full portfolio of inspiring, engaging communities, register today.