2009 Heritage Toronto Awards

One of Spacing’s favorite civic events is the Heritage Toronto Awards night at the Carlu. It’s a night when Toronto boosters, architecture preservationists and city builders are honoured. But maybe more importantly there is the visible sign that there are (lots of) others who are quietly working away in their own corners of the city. This year, instead of the traditional William Kilbourn Memorial Lecture, Heritage Toronto is holding The Great Toronto Roast where the roasters will take pokes at Toronto itself. Think of those old Dean Martin celebrity roasts, but without the cigarettes.

WHEN: Doors 6:30 Start 7:15 Oct 13 2009
WHERE: Carlu
HOW MUCH: $30 or $25 for Heritage Toronto members

For 2009 we are pleased to introduce The Great Toronto Roast, Heritage Toronto’s birthday party for our City’s 175th year. Hosted by Soulpepper Theatre founder and actor Albert Schultz, the evening will offer an array of guests who all have one thing in common – a love for their city. Special guests of roasters and toasters will include former Mayor David Crombie, dub poet and actor d’bi young, poet and writer Dennis Lee, journalist and author Jan Wong, with special appearances by Yuk Yuks and Second City.

For info on all of the nominees, use the “continued reading” link.

2009 Special Achievement Award: STEPHEN OTTO

Stephen Otto is one of the city’s most determined advocates for the preservation and promotion of Toronto’s built and documentary heritage. As the founding head of heritage conservation programs in the Ministry of Culture & Recreation from 1975-81, he administered the newly-enacted Ontario Heritage Act and led the development of programs to support architectural conservation, archaeology, museums, historical plaques and publications.

As a founder of the Friends of Fort York, Mr. Otto was motivated by his awareness of Fort York National Historic Site’s place at the centre of the history and geography of Toronto, and the urgent need for its recognition within Toronto’s Official Plan. As a result, the Fort York National Historic Site (Fort York, Garrison Common and Victoria Memorial Square) has a prominent and vital role to play in the future of the city.

As with his work on Fort York, many of Mr. Otto’s other contributions have focused on the public realm – the squares, parks, streets, bridges, cemeteries, markets and public buildings that define people’s experiences in Toronto. Many of these places have become character defining to Toronto today – the Don Jail, the Don Valley Brickworks, The Distillery District National Historic Site, Todmorden Mills and St. Lawrence Hall and Market, to name a few.

Mr. Otto is a former director of the Ontario Heritage Foundation and Canadian Association of Professional Heritage Consultants, a member of the Toronto Historical Board, serves the Bata Shoe Museum advisory council, Grange Committee of the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Massey College Architectural Advisory Board. He was founding chair of the Friends of Fort York & Garrison Common, an office he held again more recently until ill health forced him to retire. At present, Mr. Otto sits on the Corporation of Trinity College.

He was presented with the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977, the Toronto Historical Board’s Award of Merit in 1988 and 1996, and the Arbor Award for voluntary service by the University of Toronto in 1991. His revised edition of Toronto, No Mean City, Eric Arthur’s classic work on the city’s 19th-century buildings, appeared in 1986.

WILLIAM GREER ARCHITECTURAL CONSERVATION AND CRAFTSMANSHIP CATEGORY

This category honours projects that have restored or adapted buildings or structures that have been in existence for forty years or more. In addition to the quality of craftsmanship, appropriateness of materials, and the use of sound conservation principles, the jury considers how well the project meets current needs while maintaining the integrity of the original design vision.

Artscape Wychwood Barns, 601 Christie Street

Commissioned by: Toronto Artscape Inc.
Architect: du Toit Architects Ltd
Heritage Consultant: E.R.A. Architects Inc.
Crafts Persons/Contractors: The Dalton Company Ltd. and others

Before

The Wychwood Barns were built between 1913 and 1920 to house a streetcar maintenance and repair facility. After sitting vacant for several decades and following extensive public consultation, the site was reborn as a mixed-use centre surrounded by a new City of Toronto park. The site now houses live/work studios for artists, community offices and studios for arts and environmental groups, a greenhouse and sheltered garden and a multi-purpose hall or covered street. Conservation work included masonry repairs to brick work and clay tile, restoration of two sets of original wood bi-fold barn doors, as well as repairs to exterior sheet metal cornices and masonry parapet walls.

After

Scottish Tower & Garden Wall – Casa Loma, 1 Austin Terrace

Commissioned by: Cultural Services, City of Toronto
Architect: Taylor Hazell Architects
Crafts Person/Contractor: Clifford Restoration Limited and others

Before

The restoration of the Scottish Tower and Garden Wall at Casa Loma is part of the City of Toronto’s 15-year restoration plan for this important heritage building. Completion of the project permitted the re-opening of the eastern portion of the upper terrace that had been closed to the public for over 10 years due to safety concerns regarding the deterioration of both the Tower and the Wall.

The Tower restoration included careful analysis and documentation before selective replacement of deteriorated cast Roman Stone units with new fabricated masonry units, repointing and repairs to the masonry, and repairs to the roofing, flashing and windows.

Investigation revealed the Garden Wall was in danger of collapsing onto the terrace below. Since totally rebuilding the Wall was not considered to be an option, the project created a new ‘reinforced soil retaining wall’ behind the original to relieve the pressure on the heritage structure, before restoring the Credit Valley sandstone and Roman Stone accents.

After

Dufferin/St. Clair Library, 1625 Dufferin Street

Commissioned by: Toronto Public Library
Architect: Makrimichalos Cugini Architects
Heritage Consultant: E.R.A. Architects Inc.
Crafts Person/Contractor: MJ Dixon Construction Ltd., Restorart Inc. and others

Before

The original brick library was built in 1921 and included interior wall murals by Toronto artists George Reid and Doris McCarthy. In 1964, the murals were painted over, and in 1971, the library was expanded. This project included the restoration of the original Dufferin Street faà§ade and entrance portal, repair of the brick masonry, and the repair and repainting of the original windows. A new barrier free access was installed in the glass-walled 2008 addition, replacing the 1971 wing. Heritage elements, including the wall murals, were restored during the redesign of the interior.

After

Eglinton St. George’s United Church, 35 Lytton Boulevard

Commissioned by: Eglinton St. George’s United Church
Architect: E.R.A. Architects Inc.
Crafts Persons/Contractors: Clifford Restoration Ltd.; Vitreous Glass

Before

This late Gothic Revival-style church was completed in 1924, with a later addition in 1932. A collection of 25 stained glass windows, whose settings had deteriorated over time with exposure to the elements, is prominently featured in the building. New pre-cast elements for the windows were fabricated and assembled to match the size and appearance of the originals, and the stained glass windows were removed and restored. Preventative measures of steel components and safety glass were installed to protect the windows for years to come.

After

John A. Gallagher House, 443 Broadview Avenue

Commissioned by: Chen, Xiaojiu
Architect: Chen, Xiaojiu and others
Crafts Person/Contractor: Chen, Xiaojiu and others

Before

This Queen Anne Revival style house was built in 1906 and originally served as the home and medical practice of John A. Gallagher, a druggist and physician. Neglected in recent years, the house was purchased by a private buyer who initiated a project to preserve its heritage elements and to readapt the building to a new use. Exterior conservation work included repair of the slate roof, the wrap-around veranda, a stained glass window and the front door. Inside, the oak panelling of the entrance hall and the staircase were refurbished.

After

Gerstein Reading Room – Gerstein Science Information Centre, 9 King’s College Circle

Commissioned by: University of Toronto
Architect: Diamond and Schmitt Architects
Crafts Persons/Contractors: Ross Clair Contractors Inc; Halcrow Yolles; Smith + Anderson Consulting Engineering

Before

The Gerstein Reading Room was built in 1892. In preparing for the renovations to the Reading Room, it was discovered that the drop ceiling hid the room’s original hard-carved neo-gothic trusses, rafters and a dramatic glass skylight. The ceiling’s wood beams, arches and trusses were stabilized and reinforced, and damaged sections carefully repaired to match the existing details and stains. Dated shelving and study carrels were replaced with custom-made wood shelves and study tables designed to compliment the existing woodwork. Woodwork in an adjacent room was also repaired and restored.

After

Maitland Residence – Canada’s National Ballet School, 105 Maitland Street

Commissioned by: Canada’s National Ballet School
Architect: Goldsmith Borgal + Company

Before – 1980

The Maitland Street site served as the primary home of the ballet school from 1959 onwards. Five late 19th century brick houses and a 1911 Society of Friends Meeting Hall served as a residence for the students, dance studios, academic classrooms and administrative offices. Additions in the 1970s expanded the space and connected the buildings. With new dance and school facilities located on Jarvis Street, this project aimed to upgrade the student residences by removing the 1970s structures, rehabilitating the five houses and the Quaker Hall, and integrating several modern connecting links and a new residence building in the rear.

After

Joy Oil Gas Station, Sir Casimir Gzowski Park, 178 Lakeshore Boulevard West

Commissioned by: City of Toronto, Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Architect: McGillivray-Architect
Crafts Person/Contractor: Phoenix Restoration

Before

This pair of 1930s buildings represents the only remaining Joy Oil Gas station in Toronto. The Chateau-style station was vacant for many years before it was moved to its present location in 2007 to be restored for a future tenant. Conservation work involved documenting and restoring the exterior based on historical photographs and drawings, and paint analysis. Details such as the weather vane, roof finials, the Lubitorium overhead doors, wing walls and eaves trough were rebuilt or restored.

After

Leadlay House, 25 Augusta Avenue

Commissioned by: Felician Franciscan Sisters, Tau House Convent
Crafts Persons/Contractors: Historic Restoration; Fine Restoration and Painting

Before

This elaborately decorated Italianate-style residence was built by textile merchant Edwin Leadlay in 1876, and purchased by the Felician Sisters in 1937 to serve as a convent. Although a kitchen and dining addition were added to the rear of the building, most of the original house is still intact and retains its original architectural features. This project involved the restoration of exterior woodwork (including 53 double hung wood windows and storms), cast iron material, gutters and flashing and window canopies, masonry repointing and repairs to the slate roof.

After

Max Gluskin House, 150 St. George Street

Commissioned by: University of Toronto
Architect: Hariri Pontarini Architects
Heritage Consultant: E.R.A. Architects Inc.
Crafts Persons/Contractors: Steelcase Construction Inc.; Colonial Building Restoration

Before

This site houses new facilities for the Department of Economics, University of Toronto. The site transformation included the integration of a three storey 1889 Queen Anne style residence and a 1959 Georgian Revival style addition by Allward and Gouinlock, and the construction of contemporary transparent additions to produce expanded facilities. Conservation work on the heritage buildings included the repair and conservation of the existing masonry, metalwork and woodwork as well as window and roof replacement.

After

McGregor Hosiery Mills, 401 Wellington Street West

Commissioned by: Stantec Architecture Ltd./Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Architect: Stantec Architecture Ltd./Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Crafts Person/Contractor: GovanBrown Construction Managers

Before

Built in 1905 at the corner of Spadina Avenue and Wellington Street, the former McGregor Hosiery Mills now houses architectural offices. In its transformation from industrial to office space, the original interior design was respected with the placement of systems under the floor to leave the original wood deck ceiling exposed and uncluttered. New walls were positioned so that they did not obstruct the original columns.

After

Porch Re-Creation, 5 Cross Street

Commissioned by: Martin Weigelin & Leslie Mah
Architect: Anthony Belcher Architect
Crafts Person/Contractor: Sandilands Woodworking

Before

The owners of this Victorian home in Weston embarked on a project to create a replica porch for the front of their house consistent with the 1889 construction period of the building. After careful research, including looking at other houses from the period, the porch was constructed from Ontario white pine with detailed ornamentation such as brackets, turnings and other elements custom manufactured. The structure was finished with a heritage colour paint.

After

St. George Campus Central Exam Facility, 255 McCaul Street

Commissioned by: University of Toronto
Architect: Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.
Crafts Person/Contractor: Eastern Construction and others

Before

This project took an existing 1931 Art Deco style building, previously used as a storage facility, and adapted it for use as the University of Toronto’s first dedicated examination facility. Care was taken to maintain the historic character of the building by restoring deteriorating elements and those that had been compromised as part of previous alterations. The conservation work included repairs to the brick masonry of the walls and parapet, the stone coping and copper flashing, and the replacement of the industrial windows with double glazed aluminum sash windows that replicated the appearance of the original windows. A contemporary, accessible main entrance was inserted into a loading bay.

After

BOOK CATEGORY

This category recognizes excellent non-fiction books published in 2008 that explore Toronto’s archaeological, built, cultural and/or natural heritage and history.

For the Record: The First Women in Canadian Architecture

Editors: Joan Grierson and the For the Record Committee
Publisher: Dundurn Press

For the Record profiles the first woman architect in Canada — Marjorie Hill — and the women who followed her into a male-dominated field then in its infancy. Drawing on archival material, interviews, and more than 270 photographs and architectural drawings, this firsthand account brings their stories to life. The profiles document the challenges faced by these early women architects and celebrates their accomplishments.

HTO: Toronto’s Water from Lake Iroquois to Lost Rivers to Low-flow Toilets

Editors: Wayne Reeves and Christina Palassio
Publisher: Coach House Books

Toronto is a city defined by water: it is drained by a half-dozen major watersheds, cut by a network of deep ravines, and it fronts on a Great Lake. The trend of fettering Toronto’s water and forcing it underground has recently been countered by persistent citizen-led efforts to recall and restore the city’s water surface. The twenty-nine essays in HTO explore everything from the changes in Toronto’s ravines and shoreline to municipal waterworks projects.

Historical Atlas of Toronto

Author: Derek Hayes
Publisher: Douglas + McIntyre Ltd.

Hayes explores our city’s history through maps and drawings produced since the 1600s to record, promote, define, and illustrate historical events and chapters in Toronto’s history. The atlas gathers together over 300 illustrations that show the development of the city. Plans and dreams for suburbs, expressways, and public housing are included.

Rare Plants of the Endangered High Park Black Oak Savannah

Authors: Jane Schmidt, Sharon Lovett and Lisa Kemp
Publisher: High Park Volunteer Stewardship Program

High Park’s exceptional natural heritage is explored in this two-part guidebook. It tells the stories of the volunteer efforts to restore the Black Oak Savannah, and serves as a guide to twenty-eight types of trees, wildflowers, shrubs, and grasses found in the special savannah ecosystem – the last vestige of what existed in the Toronto area before European settlement drastically changed the landscape.

Toronto: A Short Illustrated History of the First 12,000 Years

Editor: Ronald F. Williamson
Publisher: James Lorimer & Company Ltd.

Toronto: A Short Illustrated History of the First 12,000 Years explores the evolution of our city from the final retreat of the Laurentide Ice Sheet to its emergence as a cultural and financial centre. Five historians – Chris Andreae, Carl Benn, Roger Hall, Robert MacDonald, and Ron Williamson – have combined efforts to bring together illustrations and fresh perspectives in this natural, archaeological, and social history.

Toronto’s Distillery District: History by the Lake

Author: Sally Gibson
Publisher: The Distillery Historic District

This is the first book to chronicle the history of the site that houses some of the finest Victorian industrial architecture in Canada. Forty-five eclectic articles investigate the people, events, buildings, industrial artifacts, and processes that made the Gooderham & Worts Distillery an important part of Toronto’s history.

Toronto: The Way We Were

Author: Mike Filey
Publisher: Dundurn Press

Toronto: The Way We Were chronicles many of our city’s landmarks– including the Royal York Hotel, the Flatiron Building, Massey Hall, and the Canadian National Exhibition. Filey takes readers on a photographic journey of Toronto’s transformation while recounting some of the defining moments in our history.

Unbuilt Toronto: A History of the City That Might Have Been

Author: Mark Osbaldeston
Publisher: Dundurn Press

Unbuilt Toronto profiles architectural and transportation proposals which — if completed exactly as planned — would have drastically changed our city’s appearance. The book features more than 100 photographs, maps, and drawings (many never before published) from the town’s founding to the twenty-first century. Osbaldeston outlines such ambitious but largely forgotten schemes as St. Alban’s Cathedral and the Queen Street subway line.

MEDIA CATEGORY

This category salutes non-fiction projects such as videos, websites, exhibits, magazines and other publications that educate the public about aspects of Toronto’s archaeological, built, cultural and/or natural heritage and history.

“Historicist”, Torontoist

Series of History Columns
www.torontoist.com
Authors: Jamie Bradburn, Kevin Plummer
Publisher: www.torontoist.com

Historicist is Torontoist.com’s weekly feature-length history column, a new edition of which is published online every Saturday. Jamie Bradburn and Kevin Plummer each research and write illustrated articles on Toronto history – from neighbourhoods (the Ward), to buildings (the Temple Building), to people (the Boyd Gang), and events (the Toronto Argonauts-Chicago Cardinals game in 1959), to pop culture icons (Superman) to whole cultural movements (the Orange Order).

History of West Toronto Junction Fire Station No. 1 Multimedia Exhibit

Authors/Directors: Duncan Brown, Greg Schultz

The firefighters of West Toronto Station 423 have worked on a variety of projects to highlight the history of their station and of firefighting in the Junction. They include historical displays at the Station, a pamphlet, and a digital presentation.

Local Flavour: Eating in Toronto, 1830-1955 Exhibit and Virtual Exhibit

Exhibit Curator: Sheila Carleton, Toronto Reference Library
Producer: Toronto Public Library

Local Flavour looked at food and its role in the lives of Torontonians through an exhibition of historical cookbooks, paintings, archival photographs, menus, advertisements and kitchen implements. Artifacts used in the display came from the Library’s collections as well as the City of Toronto’s Art Collection, Museum and Heritage Services and Archives. A number of the pieces continue on display in the virtual exhibit on the Library’s website.

New Toronto Historical Society Website

www.newtorontohistorical.com
Author/Director: Laurie Caron
Producer: New Toronto Historical Society

The New Toronto Historical Society promotes the history of the former Town of New Toronto, an industrial suburb that was amalgamated by the Borough of Etobicoke in 1967. In addition to learning about the Historical Society, visitors to the website can learn about upcoming heritage events and explore the area’s history through photos, stories, genealogies of early families, and histories of local industries.

Novae Res Urbis News (NRU) Articles

Publisher: NRU Publishing Inc.

Novae Res Urbis is a limited circulation news service that covers municipal affairs in Toronto. The publication provides up-to-date information on local issues to decision-makers in real estate and development, municipal law, architecture and planning, waste management and utilities. Four heritage-related news stories and one series were nominated.

“Tower Renewal Project” Series and News Stories
Authors: Amy Lazar, Mark Ostler and other NRU staff; Michael McClelland and Graeme Stewart, E.R.A. Architects

This series chronicled the proposal to renew the city’s concrete apartment towers that were built during the 1950s and 1960s. The articles discussed the tower renewal experience of other major cities around the world and how the concept might transform Toronto.

“Value of Heritage: A Costly Demise” News Article
Author: Amy Lazar and the NRU Staff

This article discussed some of the debate surrounding the heritage designation of the 1914 Carleton Public School, a surplus property touted as a possible site for a new police station.

“Revue-ing Options: Roncesvalles Theatre Faà§ade Update” News Article
Authors: Mark Ostler and the NRU staff

This article reported on a community information meeting that discussed proposals for restoring the faà§ade of the Revue Theatre, built in 1911 in the city’s west end.

“Heritage Abounds: City Identifies Long List” News Article
Authors: Mark Ostler and the NRU Staff

This story discusses a proposed amendment to the City of Toronto’s official plan to permit money provided by developers under Section 37 of the Planning Act to be used to fund Heritage Conservation District studies. The article includes a list of 96 areas of the city that could potentially warrant Heritage Conservation District status, as well as a
list of the existing districts and those currently under study.

“Church Conversions: Heritage at the Core” News Article
Authors: Amy Lazar and the NRU staff

The article examines the emerging trend of converting church properties into residential units. It describes several Toronto projects, as well as the challenges involved in residential conversions.

Weston Heritage Conservation District Website

www.heritageweston.com
Authors/Directors: Philip Keirstead, Stephen Foster
Producer: Weston Heritage Conservation District

This website was created to inform the people of Weston about the heritage of the former town, and advocate for the creation of a Heritage Conservation District. The website features articles and photographs about local history and buildings, as well as tips on how to research a home in Weston.

COMMUNITY HERITAGE AWARD

This award is open to one volunteer community-based organization in each of the four Community Council areas as defined by Toronto City Council. The organization must be currently active, and have either initiated and/or completed a significant activity that promotes, protects and/or preserves cultural and/or natural heritage in its specific Community Council area. This is a cash award and no organization is eligible to receive it more than once every five years.

Cabbagetown Preservation Association

Toronto & East York Community Council

The Cabbagetown Preservation Association was formed in 1989 to preserve the historic character of the Cabbagetown neighbourhood. Through the years, the CPA has worked on Heritage Conservation District designation, and raising awareness about the area through its newsletter, walking tours, lectures and other events. In 2001-02, CPA expanded its focus beyond architecture and created the Cabbagetown People Program to posthumously honour the important contributions and achievements of Cabbagetown area residents. Research about these ‘heritage heroes’ is shared through plaques, walking tours, a brochure and website, and materials and tours for local schools.

Guildwood Village Community Association

Scarborough Community Council Area

The Guildwood Village Community Association, formed in 1958, is led by neighbours who are committed to organizing and promoting community activities and raising awareness among residents about local issues. The GVCA keeps the community informed through newsletters, public meetings and a website. Recent projects include sponsoring a heritage plaque celebrating Guildwood Village’s 50th anniversary, gathering and digitizing archival material about the Village and the Guild Inn and advocating for the revitalization of the Guild Inn.

North York Historical Society

North York Community Council Area

The North York Historical Society was established in 1960 to protect, preserve and promote built and natural heritage, as well as the cultural heritage of North York. The Society offers an ongoing program of lectures, newsletters, walking tours and other events. In 2005, the Society opened a Heritage Resource Centre at the Miller Tavern, housing local history books, documents, maps and artefacts. In 2008, NYHS initiated a heritage plaque program in cooperation with Heritage Toronto.

Revue Film Society

Toronto & East York Community Council

The Revue Film Society is a community-based not-for-profit organization which rescued the Revue Cinema, a 97-year-old historic movie house on Roncesvalles Avenue. Surprised by the sudden closure of the cinema in 2006, local residents rallied to save the theatre, and in the process, the Revue Film Society was born. The Society found a new owner for the building, negotiated a lease and successfully reopened the cinema in 2007. In addition to operating the theatre, the Society educates the public about its history through lectures and a newsletter. Future plans include digitizing archival material about the theatre and rebuilding the cinema’s marquee.