Toronto wants to make sure these buildings are never demolished

It may seem like Toronto's neighbourhoods are changing every month, but every now and then the City has to pump the brakes to make sure a few standout buildings don't disappear forever. 

The City of Toronto is moving to officially protect four historic buildings under the Ontario Heritage Act, a step that would make it much harder for them to be demolished and turned into copy-and-paste condos in the future. 

While tall and shiny towers tend to steal the spotlight, it's older buildings like these that give Toronto its charm, especially as the city seemingly continues its race toward becoming one giant construction site.

Here's a closer look at the four buildings Toronto is looking to preserve.

302 King Street East

One of the properties heading for designation is the Garibaldi House in Corktown. Built around 1858, the two-storey wood-frame building originally operated as a hotel and tavern and is one of the oldest surviving commercial buildings in the neighbourhood. 

Over the last 160 years, the Georgian-style building on the corner of King and Berkeley housed a variety of different businesses. City staff say the building's significance lies in the way it "reflects the early commercial development of the King-Parliament Area." 

It's been listed on the City's Heritage Register since 1973, but a formal heritage designation would give the city stronger authority to review any future alterations or demolition proposals, helping ensure the landmark sticks around for years to come.

@terrygreybrand

2125 Lawrence Avenue West 

Another property  Toronto is looking to protect is the Weston Lions Arena, a long-standing community rink tucked inside Weston Lions Park next to the Humber River. 

Built around 1948, the arena is considered a post-war neighbourhood landmark, with its concrete-block construction, rugged brick exterior and simulated stone façade reflecting the design of the era. 

The building was only added to the City's Heritage Register earlier this year, shortly before Toronto assumed responsibility for the arena on April 1 and launched a comprehensive review of its condition.

City of Toronto

According to a report heading to the Toronto Preservation Board, staff have determined the arena has cultural heritage value and meets three of the provincial criteria required for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act (which is more than the minimum needed to qualify for protection).

If approved by City Council, the designation would make it much harder to significantly alter or demolish the community landmark. 

43 Kimbark Boulevard

It's not every day you see someone's actual home declared a heritage site; however, over in Lawrence Park South, the City is looking to protect the Kimbark House, a unique house that honestly looks like it was ripped out of a children's storybook.

Constructed in 1910 and designed by Toronto architects Curry and Sparling, the two-story Arts and Crafts-style estate was actually built by a stone mason from Scotland. The home has also had some notable residents over the years, including businessman Frank M. Kimbark (hence the street name) and Canadian criminal defence lawyer Edward Greenspan.

IMAGINAHOME

Listed on Toronto's Heritage Register since 1979, Kimbark House, which was on the market for $8 million in 2022, is now being considered for formal designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. Staff say it meets four of the provincial criteria required for designation, which would give the City more oversight over any future changes to the historic property.

150 College Street

Lastly, the City is also looking to protect two of the University of Toronto's most recognizable buildings: Simcoe Hall and Convocation Hall.

The two buildings have been fixtures at the heart of the St. George campus for more than a century. Convocation Hall, with its instantly recognizable rotunda, has long been the university's go-to spot for major ceremonies and events, while Simcoe Hall has served as its administrative hub. Together, they help give King's College Circle a historic look and feel that other schools in the city just don't have.

Designed by prominent Toronto architects Darling & Pearson, the buildings helped shape the Edwardian look of the university's Front Campus and have been listed on the City's Heritage Register since 1973.

University of Toronto

Heritage staff and consultants determined that both Simcoe Hall and Convocation Hall have "cultural heritage value" and meet seven of the nine provincial criteria required for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act. If approved, the designation would help guide any future changes while protecting two of the university's most recognizable landmarks.

These four properties are set to go before the Toronto Preservation Board on July 23, and if everything moves forward, the final decision on heritage designation will head to City Council at a later date.