  We consider a class of Lorentz gauge gravity theories within Riemann-Cartan
geometry which admits a topological phase in the gravitational sector. The
dynamic content of such theories is determined only by the contortion part of
the Lorentz gauge connection. We demonstrate that there is a unique Lagrangian
that admits propagating spin one mode in correspondence with gauge theories of
other fundamental interactions. Remarkably, despite the R^2 type of the
Lagrangian and non-compact structure of the Lorentz gauge group, the model
possesses rather a positive-definite Hamiltonian. This has been proved in the
lowest order of perturbation theory. This implies further consistent
quantization and leads to renormalizable quantum theory. It is assumed that the
proposed model describes possible mechanism of emergent Einstein gravity at
very early stages of the Universe due to quantum dynamics of contortion.
