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Heritage Toronto has announced the nominees for the 2021 Heritage Toronto Awards, the longest-running awards of such a type in Canada and recognizes nominees for their contributions to Toronto's heritage. The work being honoured this year spans the past two years, due to the 2020 cancellation of the awards.
The organization has introduced a new award in the Built Heritage category this year: Craftsmanship. This award recognizes the high level of craftsmanship in built heritage projects that positively impacts the local community.
This year, there are nine projects nominated in the Built Heritage category, including:
The rehabilitation of the Federal Building at 85 Richmond Street West, by +VG Architects and WZMH Architects, a Beaux-Arts commercial office building from the interwar era and one of Toronto’s first-generation skyscrapers.
The exterior conservation of the Bishop's Palace at St Michael's Cathedral Basilica was done by +VG Architects. Originally designed by architect William Thomas, the 1845 Bishop’s Palace has been recognized by the Toronto Historical Board as the oldest building in the City still in use for its original purpose.
Centennial College's Centre for Aerospace and Aviation, at its Downsview campus, has been rehabilitated by ERA Architects to maintain its historic elements while preparing it for new use, including an expanded hangar to accommodate the size of modern aircraft. The project pays tribute to the building’s original use while maintaining the site’s ongoing affiliation with Canadian aviation history.
The Massey Tower's adaptive reuse of the Canadian Bank of Commerce’s Queen-Yonge branch by ERA Architects, has prioritized the rehabilitation of the former bank building by maintaining its visibility on Yonge Street by setting the connected tower behind the heritage building, which is a landmark designed in 1905 by the architectural firm Darling and Pearson.
The conservation and renewal of the Holy Blossom Temple by ERA Architects and Diamond Schmitt Architects has adapted the historic synagogue with the addition of a new atrium that celebrates the qualities of the two adjacent historic buildings. The original buildings were designed in 1938 by Chapman and Oxley, and were home to Toronto’s first Jewish congregation, as well as was the first Canadian institution to employ board-formed concrete.
The restoration and expansion of the Loblaws Groceteria by ERA Architects and architects—Alliance respects the warehouse’s history while making a statement about its readiness for another century of use. It was the very first substantial building erected at 500 Lake Shore Boulevard West.
The redevelopment of Montgomery Square by ERA Architects and RAW Design reuses a 1936 Art Deco heritage post office situated on a National Historic site, highlighting its architectural elements, and providing an expanded mixed-use program for the surrounding neighbourhood. The original post office is one of the few buildings in the former British Empire that bears the crest of King Edward VIII's short-lived reign, which can be seen above the main entry.
The reimagining of the Paradise Theatre by ERA Architects, that was originally designed by Benjamin Brown, one of the earliest Jewish architects in Toronto, has been redeveloped into a thriving creative hub and community amenity. To maintain the heritage designation, the marquee signage was remanufactured to match the original specifications from 1937, and the historic box office and entrance doors were reconstructed to match the originals that had been previously removed.
The conservation of the Winchester Hotel and Hall by GBCA Architects included over 800 square meters of joint removal, colour-wash, stopping mortar, and 5mm ribbons to be completed. It has been confirmed that this is the largest tuck-pointed building completed in the last 40 years.
Winners will be announced at the 2021 Heritage Toronto Awards, which will be held virtually on Monday, October 18, 2021.
Stay tuned: Heritage Toronto features awards in other categories, which we will highlight in the coming days.
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