1.3K 
Yesterday, the 49th Annual Heritage Toronto Awards were handed out at The Carlu. Five winners were celebrated from a pool of 53 nominees across three categories: Public History, Book, and Built Heritage. The event brought together heritage enthusiasts and professionals to honour outstanding contributions that preserve Toronto's diverse history.
The Built Heritage awards highlight projects that have rejuvenated architectural landmarks in the city. Three sites were recognized for their unique approaches to conservation and adaptive reuse. They illustrate a continuing dedication to connecting communities through stories and structures that reflect the city’s past.
The Hermant Building received the Adaptive Reuse Award for its transformation of a historic Art Deco office tower originally constructed in 1929. Led by HNR Properties Limited with architect Giaimo, the project involved extensive exterior restoration and interior upgrades. The renovation revitalized 90,000 ft² of commercial space while preserving the building's original design elements, breathing new life into a storied piece of Toronto's architectural heritage.
Union Station was honoured with the Heritage Planning & Architecture Award. As one of Toronto's most iconic landmarks and a National Historic Site, the station underwent a comprehensive rehabilitation led by the City of Toronto in collaboration with NORR Architects & Engineers Limited, and EVOQ Architecture Inc.. The project focused on structural conservation and modern upgrades to ensure Union Station continues to serve as a vital transportation hub. The restoration respects the building's historic significance while improving its functionality for future generations.
The Crafts and Trades Award was presented to the restoration of the Queen's Wharf Lighthouse, a 19th-century maritime beacon known as ‘Little Red’ and one of the city’s few remaining lighthouses from that era. The City of Toronto, along with architect James Bailey and Clifford Restoration, undertook preservation efforts focused on the lantern, catwalk, and cupola, along with replacing its cedar shingles. The work safeguards a significant piece of Toronto's waterfront heritage.
Along with the Built Heritage accolades, the Public History Award went to Casey and Diana, a theatrical production directed by Andrew Kushnir and written by Nick Green. The People's Choice Award was awarded to The Neighbours: Forms of Trauma (1945-1989), a multimedia installation created by Lilia Topouzova, Julian Chehirian, and Krasimira Butseva. Finally, the Volunteer Service Award was presented to Greg Heal for his dedication to Heritage Toronto's public programs.
Hosted by comedy writer and radio personality Ify Chiwetelu, the ceremony was attended by an audience that included Mayor Olivia Chow. Beyond celebrating achievements, the event also served as a fundraiser supporting Heritage Toronto's ongoing public programming, which encompasses tours, historical plaques, and online exhibits that make the city's history accessible to all.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on these developments, but in the meantime, you can learn more about them from our Database files, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
* * *
UrbanToronto has a research service, UrbanToronto Pro, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal through to completion. We also offer Instant Reports, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, that tracks projects from initial application.
