This week's Throwback Thursday covers a recent heritage restoration in Toronto's King West neighbourhood. Over three years ago, construction was well underway at the site of Freed Developments' Fashion House, a 12-storey, 334 unit Core Architects-designed condominium development on King Street West, situated midway between Portland and Brant Streets. Among the project's contributions to the evolving King West streetscape, the project included the retention and restoration of the 1882-built Toronto Silver Plate Building, occupying much of its King Street frontage.

Toronto Silver Plate Building and Fashion House construction site, February 2013, image by Marcus Mitanis

Jumping ahead to 2016, the restored structure now serves as the King West location of The Keg Steakhouse, featuring a street-fronting patio area that replaced the former mid-20th century addition that once marred the front of the Silver Plate Building, extending it out to the sidewalk. The restoration of the late 19th century industrial building was a complicated matter, involving the replacement of the structure's original wood frame with steel to meet building code requirements, as well as plenty of cleaning and replacement of exterior and roof elements.

Toronto Silver Plate Building and Fashion House, August 2016, image by Jack Landau

Another angle captured from several metres to the east reveals the relationship between the restored industrial building and the modern condominium development.

Toronto Silver Plate Building and Fashion House viewed from the southeast, August 2016, image by Jack Landau

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!