City to designate Simcoe Hall and Convocation Hall as heritage properties

development

City to designate Simcoe Hall and Convocation Hall as heritage properties

City Council will state its intention to designate Simcoe Hall and Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto under the Ontario Heritage Act. The two adjoining buildings, which house the university's main administrative centre and primary ceremonial gathering space, have been on the city's heritage register since 1973 and meet provincial criteria for formal Part IV protection. Designation will guide any future changes to these Edwardian-era landmark buildings.

adoptedToronto Preservation Board · Thu, Jul 23Still movingProvince decides

Also in this item

• Simcoe Hall and Convocation Hall, which function as the university's main administrative centre and primary public gathering and ceremonial space, together form a symbolic processional route for administrators and graduating students during graduation events.

• Both Heritage Planning and the Consultant are of the opinion that the properties meet 7 of the 9 Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, exceeding the minimum threshold of 2 criteria.

The journey

Thu, Jul 23 · Toronto Preservation Board · adopted

What happens next

No further action available to residents on this item; the designation process proceeds through council to the provincial approval stage.

Decision

Motion to state the city's intention to designate 150 College Street (Simcoe Hall at 27 King's College Circle and Convocation Hall at 31 King's College Circle) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act carried unanimously (9-0). The recommendation from the staff report was adopted.

On video

Jump to this item in the meeting video

Why is this story here?

ContainedThe designation is a decision to protect two specific university buildings under provincial heritage law. It is a genuine decision with legal consequence, but bounded to two adjoining properties at one address. Reversal would require provincial action and is not impossible, though unlikely absent changed circumstances. The decision does not constrain future councils' broader options; it narrows what can be done to these two buildings only.Touches a narrow groupThe effect is felt directly by the University of Toronto as the property owner and steward, requiring compliance with heritage protections in any future alteration or redevelopment. Most residents do not visit these buildings regularly or contemplate changes to them. The buildings are culturally significant and iconic, but designation does not change their appearance, use, or public access this week. The salience is one step removed from the ordinary resident's daily life.

Stories are ordered by how much weight a decision carries and how directly it reaches daily life. They rise as a decision date approaches and fall as they age.

Official title: 150 College Street (Simcoe Hall and Convocation Hall - 27 and 31 King's College Circle) - Notice of Intention to Designate a Property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act · meeting video