It was in early November 2024, where the brisk Toronto air carried a sense of renewal as AvranceCorp Developments CEO Samuel Babarinde stepped onto the grounds of 3100 Weston Road, a site long familiar to members of the local church community.
The property, lush with mature trees and bordered by the gentle bend of the Humber River—had been a gathering place, a backdrop for community picnics, youth programs, charity drives, and a sanctuary of quiet reflection.
For Angela Carboni, a long-standing and deeply respected member of the church of St. Basil, the grounds were more than land. They were memories, ministry, and legacy. As whispers of redevelopment began circulating earlier that year, she became the unofficial voice of the congregation, determined to see the future of the land grounds, previously sold to AvranceCorp by the church for $16.5 million dollars in August 2023, treated with reverence.
Their meeting wasn’t born out of conflict but out of necessity. AvranceCorp, having ambitious plans to bring 480 units of much-needed affordable housing to Toronto’s northwest, needed clarity and cooperation. The church community, protective of their historic space, needed assurances and respect.
The two met on a cool November afternoon with open minds. Babarinde, known for his hands-on business approach and ability to balance development vision with community sensitivity, arrived prepared to listen. Carboni, equally composed and resolute, carried years of lived experience within the community.
Over several hours of dialogue, both at the 3100 Weston Road grounds and at the AvranceCorp office, cautiousness quickly melted into consensus. Both realized they were serving the same community, and while the physical space might change, its spirit did not have to be lost.
An agreement was forged, away from the bright lights of media cameras and the watchful eyes of journalists.
AvranceCorp would grant permission to Carboni and the church members to use the 3100 Weston Road grounds two days a month. It was a simple agreement, that recently celebrated its first anniversary as of November 2025.
“I honoured the days he (Babarinde) gave me,” Carboni said appreciatively in a recent interview with AvranceCorp. “I didn’t cross the lights … we don’t want to disrupt anybody or make anyone upset. We never did, from the beginning. So, we honoured it and there’s been no problems.”
It’s a wonderful story of mutual respect that many can learn from.
“It’s been fine, we worked together,” Carboni added. “I listened. He (Babarinde) gave me that opportunity. The people that come are very grateful. Everything’s been good. I’m glad.
“This is the way it should be.”
A moment of understanding.
About AvranceCorp Developments
AvranceCorp Developments is a Toronto-based real estate development company with a $4B+ portfolio and 7,000+ residential units in active development. Guided by urban planning principles and a commitment to innovation, AvranceCorp delivers communities that balance affordability, sustainability, and investor value.
Media Contact
Kenai Andrews
Director, Media & Investor Relations
AvranceCorp Developments
📧 kenai@avrancecorp.com
📞 647-368-8888
