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Heritage Toronto has just announced that the 2011 Heritage Toronto Special Achievement Award will be awarded to the late Paul Oberman, a trailblazer in the fields of real estate, architecture, and heritage preservation in Toronto.
Oberman was actively involved in his restoration and management work for nearly 30 years, acting as owner and operator of the Equifund Corporation until 1996, and subsequently as President and CEO of Woodcliffe Landmark Properties until his untimely death in March 2011. Some of his hallmark projects include North Toronto Station (a.k.a. Summerhill LCBO below), the Gooderham Flatiron Building, Market Street, and the Shops at Scrivener Square. He was also a strong supporter of many other heritage preservation initiatives in the city, including the now demolished Downsview Hangars.
Not surprisingly, this award will add to his already well-established collection of accolades, which includes the Goveror General's Award for Architecture.
Oberman's wife, Eve Lewis and family will accept the award on his behalf during the 2011 Heritage Toronto Awards ceremony on October 4th at the Royal Conservatory of Music. Nominees for all other categories will be released on September 22nd.
This year, the Heritage Toronto Awards will also be offered in conjunction with a lecture by Cameron Bailey, co-director of the Toronto International Film Festival, entitled "Toronto in Focus: A City of Festivals". It is sure to be a notable one in light of pending cuts to the arts, for lovers of urban culture.
Tickets ($30/40 for the Awards and Lecture, or $110 for admittance to the exclusive pre-event Nominees' Reception and the Awards and Lecture), can be purchased from the Royal Conservatory of Music box office at www.rcmusic.ca, 416-408-0208, or visit the box office at 273 Bloor Street West.
For more information, please visit www.heritagetoronto.org.
