Summary |
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 625 Church Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value for its design, associative and contextual values. Located on the east side of Church Street between Charles Street and Isabella Street in the Church and Bloor neighbourhood, the property at 625 Church Street contains the Traders Building, which was constructed in 1956 for the Traders Finance Corporation and designed by the architectural firm of Marani & Morris. The six storey plus penthouse office building is a fine and representative example of the Neo-Georgian architectural style, and is part of a larger context within the Church and Bloor neighbourhood comprised of corporate office buildings, many designed by Marani & Morris, built during the pre- and post-World War II period. The Traders Building is historically linked with buildings located within the neighbourhood, including the Confederation Life, Manufacturers Life, and Crown Life Insurance Buildings, and is visually linked to the Crown Life Building, located at 120 Bloor Street East at the northwest corner of Church Street. Following research and evaluation undertaken according to Ontario Regulation 9/06, the provincial criteria prescribed for municipal designation, it has been determined that the property at 625 Church Street merits designation under Part IV Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its design, associative and contextual value. Properties on the Heritage Register will be conserved and maintained in accordance with the Official Plan Heritage Policies. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations for the property, enforce heritage property standards and maintenance, and refuse demolition. |
