Redevelopment plans for a downtown Toronto property that is home to the long-running music venue Sneaky Dee’s have been withdrawn, saving the iconic bar from demolition.
The application was part of a big redevelopment proposal for the College Street site, but according to a CBC report, it was “bungled” after adjacent property details were incorrectly included. Once the ownership and consent issues came to light, the developer moved to end the application process entirely.
“Sneaky Dee’s will live to see another day,” city councillor Josh Matlow told CBC Toronto.
That withdrawal was confirmed in a letter sent to the Toronto and East York Community Council by planning consultant Michael Goldberg of Goldberg Group.
In the email, Goldberg stated: “I have been instructed by the President of my client’s companies to formally withdraw the subject application.”
He further added that the action was final and procedural: “this email is doing” the formal withdrawal of the application.
Community members had already organized against the proposal, warning that redevelopment of the site would threaten one of Toronto’s most enduring independent music venues.
Supporters of Sneaky Dee’s described the bar as a long-standing cultural anchor in the city’s west downtown core, known for live music, late-night gatherings, and, some seriously good nachos.
“The condo developer has officially pulled the application to build a condo on top of Sneaky Dee’s! There’s no vote on Sneaky Dee’s on the 8th. There’s nothing to vote on,” said the organisers of Save Sneaky Dee’s, in a social media post.
“We want to thank all of you for your support and for using your loud voices to save this legendary space.”
Public reaction to the withdrawal has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewing it as a rare win for independent nightlife and cultural space preservation in a rapidly intensifying development corridor.
Some councillors and residents have also indicated they may push for longer-term protections to help safeguard the venue from future redevelopment pressure, even though the immediate threat has now been removed.
It would be nice, if the city’s music advisory committee would consider protections across the board and/or incentives to protect these essential live music venues that are especially key for up-and-coming artists.
For now, supporters of Sneaky Dee’s are celebrating what they see as a significant win for one of Toronto’s most recognizable spaces.
