With the mid-August merging of two longstanding local funeral homes, City of Toronto staff and Toronto City Council are anticipating a new mixed-use development application.
Having operated for more than 130 years, the Humphrey Funeral Home – A.W. Miles Chapel Limited and the 65-year-old Murray E. Newbigging Funeral Home announced the amalgamation of their operations to form Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited, effective Aug. 15.
Councillor Josh Matlow was able to confirm the Newbigging site at 733 Mt. Pleasant Rd. has been purchased, although he could not divulge to whom. South Eglinton Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association (SERRA) past president Greg Russell said he’s heard of the plans, and although he would be concerned about building height getting too close to 10 storeys and would rather see access to the property is made off of Soudan Avenue instead of Mt. Pleasant, “The spirit of commercial venues should work well with existing businesses,” he said.
The new combined funeral operation will take up residence at 1403 Bayview Ave. to make way for the potential development. Matlow said there has not been any redevelopment applications come to council, yet, but added he’s excited to see what visions there may be for the lot and the potential of the first commercial development on the Mt. Pleasant stretch in many years.
“Mt. Pleasant has very much of a village, ma-and-pa design and feel to it,” Matlow said. “I think some new development there would be welcome, but it has to maintain that village feel.”
“While we are encouraged with developers’ interest to build in the community, we want to ensure there is a good fit to streetscape and community and that the community, including the new residents, enjoy the full creative aspect of the new construction,” added Russell. “[We would like developers to] maintain the village aspect while showing the potential for renewal and maintaining the life and spirit of both the residential and business community on Mt. Pleasant.”