October 22, 2012

HERITAGE TORONTO

The transformation of the James Cooper Mansion in Toronto from a mansion to a residential condominium development earned the project a 2012 Heritage Toronto award of merit.

2012 Heritage Toronto Awards winners unveiled

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

A trio of projects that involved theatre restoration work as well as renovation and restoration of a historic church captured top honours in the 2012 Heritage Toronto awards.

Awards of excellence in the William Greer architectural conservation and craftsmanship category went to the Canadian Stage Company theatre on Berkeley Street, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre on Yonge Street and St. Clement’s Anglican Church on St. Clement’s Avenue.

The awards, now in their 38th year, recognize projects and programs that preserve and promote the city’s heritage. They were presented at a recent event in Toronto.

Commissioned by the city of Toronto, the Canadian Stage Company project involved restoration of the exterior of the facility housed in one of the Consumers Gas buildings. Using traditional materials and techniques, limiting water ingress was the most important issue addressed.

The project included window and door restoration, replacement of roofing and extensive masonry and structural timber repair. Custom-moulded bricks manufactured to match originals needing replacement were also used.

HERITAGE TORONTO

The beaux-art style terra cotta façade of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre was restored as part of a project that won a 2012 Heritage Toronto award for architectural conservation and craftsmanship.

The project was undertaken by a team that included Taylor Hazell Architects Ltd., Clifford Restoration Ltd. and Semple Gooder Roofing Corp. Commissioned by the Ontario Heritage Trust, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre project involved restoration of the theatre’s two-storey, beaux-art style terra cotta façade. The project focused on conserving and reproducing terra cotta, requiring the use of traditional craft technologies.

Beyond the terra cotta, work included removing fibreglass used in earlier repairs, refurbishing original arched wood windows and refinishing of wood, brass and decorative plaster finishes. Heritage Toronto said the result is “a renewed public face” of a building usually remembered for its interior architecture. 

The project team included Taylor Hazell Architects, Roof Tile Management Inc. and Boston Valley Terra Cotta.

Commissioned by the rector and wardens of St. Clement’s Anglican Church, the church project involved the renovation and restoration of a structure built between 1891 and 1958 as a collection of eight buildings in several styles.

The nave and narthex area was entirely stripped to allow for a more flexible, open, accessible and interactive design.

The old parish hall was restored back to its former exposed timber truss structure and ceiling. Adjacent additions were renovated, restored and repurposed. All existing woodwork and furniture was reused in the new design.

The project team included Davidson-Langley Inc. Architects, Compass Construction Resources Ltd., Rouge River Woodworks and Robert McCausland Ltd.

An award of merit went to the James Cooper Mansion on Sherbourne Street. Commissioned by Tridel Inc., the project involved the transformation of the mansion into a residential condominium development. Built in 1882, the Second Empire style building was moved forward 45 feet to make way for a new 32-storey tower and four-storey underground parking.

Later additions to the rear of the mansion were demolished to make way for the new condominium tower.

The project included interior and exterior restoration, such as the reinstatement of the mansard roof, cornice and stone masonry. The mansion did not suffer any damage throughout the relocation. The project team included heritage architects Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd., condominium architect: Burka Architects, Laurie McCulloch Building Moving and Clifford Restoration Ltd.

An honourable mention went to the Hubbard Park Apartments on Hubbard Boulevard. Commissioned by Toronto Community Housing Corp., the adaptive reuse project incorporated application of sustainable design solutions to resolve deteriorating building conditions and increase energy efficiency.

Care was taken to design new amenity spaces at roof level to be minimally visible from street level and to protect the exterior through construction.

Built in 1927, the three-storey red brick structure has significant design value as an apartment building that blends 20th century architectural styles, particularly Tudor and Art Deco, Heritage Toronto said. The classical pediment and column surround at the front entrance were retained and the stained glass was restored and hung in the lobby space in the new design. 

The project team included Van Elslander Carter Architects Inc. and Lisgar Construction Co.

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