Where did the name “Phoenix Place” come
from?
When the congregation voted in 1973 to demolish its wonderful
old church and build a new complex, it chose to name it after
the ancient symbol of the Phoenix. This ubiquitous legendary
bird of the sun was believed to make an appearance every few
hundred years or so, only to die immolated in its own flames.
It was then reborn from its own ashes, or from an egg-like
ball of myrrh. So too, was the old church destroyed only to
rise from its rubble with new life and energy.
For its new church the congregation commissioned a dossal
curtain (the wall-hanging behind the altar) to be woven,
predicated on the theme of the Phoenix The curtain was
produced by master quilter Lewis Hindle in 1976 and can be
seen in the church.
During the demolition, the workers found that the church
structure contained old-style square nails, many bent into
fantastic shapes as the structure fell. One of the demolition
workers welded the nails into the image of a bird with flared
wings. This hangs in the church narthex to this day.
More Than Just a Place to Live"
Phoenix Place Apartments is located at the corner of King
Street West and Dunn Avenue in Toronto. It is owned and
operated by Parkdale United Church Foundation, a non-profit
charity. Phoenix Place is more than just a place to live
because it is a community, and we try to make useful resources
available to residents.
HISTORY The building contains only bachelor apartments.
It was built in 1976, using a federal program aimed at
creating affordable housing for single persons of modest
income. Parkdale United Church donated the land where its
original church, built in 1889, stood. Today, the congregation
occupies the sanctuary on the first floor, and also rents its
facilities
to community and religious groups of all kinds, as well as
reduced rates for tenants. The management office on the ground
floor is open from Monday to Friday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
COSTS The basic rent is $506, per mo., including a stove
and 5-cu-ft fridge. Rent includes electricity and water. Each
apartment may be furnished with a large frost-free fridge for
$6/mo extra. There is a separate bathroom, with a tub and
shower. There is a clothes closet, an outlet for cable TV, and
a telephone jack. There's a coin-operated laundry room on the
top floor, open every day from 8 am to 10 pm. Parking is
$45/month extra.
UTILITIES The rent includes utilities, but tenants are
responsible for their own telephone and cable TV. A last
months rent deposit is required. We pay interest equally to
guideline of rent increase for 2008.
LEASE Provincial law governs the relationship between a
Tenant and the Foundation, but each resident must also sign a
one-year lease. This is a legal document, and breaches of
either the
law or the lease can result in eviction. Since we want to
provide a safe, clean, quiet, home, we do not encourage
short-term rentals. Please note that these dwelling units may
be occupied by
only one person.
PAYMENTS Rent is payable in advance on the first day of
each month. Rent may be paid in the Office during office
hours, or after hours in the lobby mailbox. Payments must be
by cheque, money order, or direct deposit, not cash.
You will need:
A completed application form
A suitable form of identification
First & last month's rent.
Proof-of-Income
References
