Agreement aims to keep artists working in Gladstone high-rise development
By Matthew Garwolinski ,
February 5, 2026
Capital current
A high-rise development appears set to proceed on Gladstone Avenue west of Preston Street, a project that will see the renovation of the historic Standard Bread Company building while maintaining a place for the artists who work there.
The building, constructed in 1924 and designated as a heritage property in 2020, is home to the Enriched Bread Artists collective of sculptors and painters that has operated a studio in the building for more than 30 years.
Some councillors were gratified that the development includes a plan for the artists, who might otherwise find it difficult to find affordable space.
“Our city is becoming more and more expensive. It’s very hard to find accessible and affordable studio space,” said Somerset Coun. Ariel Troster.
“They have been there for decades, and every year they do an open studio event. They’re some of the most talented working artists in the city, and they can do that because they are able to access affordable studio space,” she said.
Under the terms of the development agreement with the city, artists will be relocated during construction and then provided with an affordable lease longer term.
“A relocation strategy for existing artists has been submitted as a condition of site plan approval,” said Eric Forhan, one of the city planners.
“Also, confirmation of a secured affordable unit rent for the artist tenants within the Standard Bread Building for a period of 15 years.”
Troster credited the work of Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Lieper for negotiating the agreement.
“Jeff Leiper worked really hard to negotiate the terms to maintain those protections for the artists, and I’m very supportive,” she said.
“I think we have to be very careful and think about the displacement that can happen with redevelopment,” she said. “Whether it’s an artist, grocery store worker or bus driver, we need housing for people of all income levels in our city.”
The development, led by Trinity Development Group, required city approval to increase the maximum permitted building heights.
The site, at 951 Gladstone Ave. and 145 Loretta Ave. N., will have three towers, 34, 38 and 40 storeys high with mixed-use office and retail space along with roughly 930 residential units, 496 residential parking spaces and 762 bicycle parking spaces.
The site is next to the Corso Italia O-Train station, which fits the city’s plan to encourage more density along transit corridors.
While the project was approved by the planning committee, it will need to be considered at a forthcoming city council meeting.
