Opinions are divided on heritage preservation at redevelopment sites in Toronto, with some considering that we are losing too much in the process, and others that the integration of heritage exteriors with the new is sometime ham-fisted, while others appreciate that some character will remain to keep our streets more human-scaled than what we get from typically less textural modern architecture. As often only heritage front walls are saved as huge new buildings are constructed behind them — a process derided as facadism — the effort that goes into saving vestiges of our past can be impressive. While nowhere near the scale of the massive steel scaffold holding up heritage walls at the United BLDG site a couple of blocks west, the green of the steel scaffold in this image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor drum118 against the red brick heritage front wall it's holding up at 8 Elm, makes for an eye-catching sight during the construction process. 

A heritage wall remains at 8 Elm Street, with new work to go up behind it, image by UrbanToronto Forum contributor drum118

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