Davisville theatre reno riles residents

Local group plans to fight art organization’s bid to partially reconstruct heritage building

- MAHDIS HABIBINIA

A theatre company in Newfoundland submitted an application to partially reconstruct the Regent Theatre on Mount Pleasant Road, a heritage building that’s seen a lack of upkeep over the years. Local residents fear the proposed changes would overwhelm the residential neighbourhood.

An art organization that wants to overhaul an old movie house in Davisville Village is running into opposition from local residents and the city, who say plans for the site may not fit the neighbourhood.

A theatre company out of Newfoundland submitted an application to partially reconstruct the Regent Theatre on Mount Pleasant Road, a heritage theatre that’s seen dwindling sales over the years. The plans include expanding the space.

The plan has been backed by a local residents’ association, but other locals are worried about the project’s impact and an application on the expansion was denied by the Committee of Adjustment. It’s now headed to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT), where locals — including a real estate developer — are spending tens of thousands of dollars on legal fees to stop it.

The heritage building at 551 Mount Pleasant Rd. originally opened in 1927 as the Belsize Theatre. The venue was once one of Toronto’s most popular places to see live theatre, and later became a beloved local spot to watch movies.

In 2017, Coun. Josh Matlow successfully moved a motion at council to designate the Regent as a heritage building, which received the status in 2022.