Toronto Preservation Board
The full agenda, as filed
All 5 items in the clerk’s order. Each carries the city’s own words: the staff recommendation, what the body decided, and its status. Nothing below is written by us.
PB36.1adopted
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue (including the entrance addresses of 58, 60, 62 and 64 Fraser Avenue) and 68 Fraser Avenue (including the entrance addresses of 147 and 151 Liberty Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance and description of heritage attributes found in Attachments 1 and 2. The subject properties are located in the Liberty Village neighbourhood. The properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue are located south of the intersection of Fraser Avenue with Liberty Street, on the west side of Fraser Avenue. The property at 68 Fraser Avenue is located at the southwest corner of Fraser Avenue and Liberty Street. The properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue and 68 Fraser Avenue adjoin each other. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property is found in Attachment 4. The properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue comprise the former Arlington Company of Canada Factory, constructed in 1905, and designed by architectural firm of Wickson and Gregg. The building is mostly one storey in height and is finished in red brick and limestone, displaying restrained classical architectural detailing. The property at 68 Fraser Avenue comprises the former S.F. Bowser Company Factory, constructed c. 1906-09, and designed by the architectural firm of Curry, Sproatt and Rolph. The two-storey building is finished in red brick and features understated classical detailing. The building adjoins the c. 1913-14 S.F. Bowser Company building to the west at 39 Mowat Avenue, a site listed on Toronto's Heritage Register The properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue were listed on the City's Heritage Register in 2005 and the property at 68 Fraser Avenue was listed on the City's Heritage Register in 2006. The properties were identified for listing on the Heritage Register as part of the North Garrison Common Area Study. Staff have determined that the properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue and 68 Fraser Avenue have cultural heritage value and meet three of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria. A development application for an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment was submitted on January 28, 2025 and was made a complete application May 2, 2025. The owner provided a waiver to extend the time period for Council to make a decision until November 30, 2025. On September 18, 2025, the applicant appealed their Official Plan amendment and zoning amendment application to the Ontario Land Tribunal, citing City Council's failure to make a decision on the application within 120 days. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the properties and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.
The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue (including the entrance addresses of 58, 60, 62 and 64 Fraser Avenue) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 25, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 68 Fraser Avenue (including the entrance addresses of 147 and 151 Liberty Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance 68 Fraser Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 2 to the report (September 25, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 3. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the properties under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue (including the entrance addresses of 58, 60, 62 and 64 Fraser Avenue) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 54 and 66 Fraser Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 25, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 68 Fraser Avenue (including the entrance addresses of 147 and 151 Liberty Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance 68 Fraser Avenue (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 2 to the report (September 25, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 3. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the properties under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PB36.2adopted
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property located at 150 College Street (Medical Sciences Building - 1 King's College Circle) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance which includes a description of heritage attributes found in Attachment 1. The Medical Sciences Building was constructed between 1966 and 1970. The asymmetrical massing of the building complex, which generally varies between three and seven storeys, fronts onto the southeast portion of King's College Circle, between King's College Road and Queen's Park Crescent West. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2. The distinct appearance of this massive concrete complex is achieved through the highly sculptural manipulation of its precast concrete panel cladding designed by Canadian artists Robert Downing and Ted Bieler, in collaboration with the project architects (Govan, Kaminker, Langley, Keenleyside, Melick, Devonshire and Wilson with Somerville, McMurrich & Oxley, including Peter Goering) and the fabricator, Beer Precast. The subject property represents a significant example of the University of Toronto's post-war growth and expansion, during which the institution was focused on becoming a global leader among public universities for teaching and research. The building complex is located within an area of the University of Toronto's St. George Campus that has been a site for biomedical research and teaching space since as early as 1850 and is considered a landmark on campus and within the City of Toronto. In 2018, the Medical Sciences Building was identified as having potential for inclusion on the Heritage Register as part of the work to advance a new Secondary Plan and Urban Design Guidelines for the University of Toronto St. George Campus that were adopted by City Council in July 2022. Through its identification in that report, City Council requires a Heritage Impact Assessment to be submitted for any development applications that affect the building. In 2020, the University of Toronto announced plans to provide additional education and research facilities for the Faculty of Medicine through a partial redevelopment of the building. ERA Architects, acting as the Heritage Consultant for the University of Toronto, submitted a Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report (March 27, 2025) for the Medical Sciences Building to Heritage Planning staff, and in support of dialogue with the City, in advance of development of the lands. Staff have determined that the property at 150 College Street (Medical Sciences Building - 1 King's College Circle) has cultural heritage value and meets 8 of the 9 Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria. The designation of the subject property under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act will inform the understanding of the cultural heritage value of the Medical Sciences Building prior to planning for change and considering interventions to it.
The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 150 College Street (Medical Sciences Building - 1 King's College Circle) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 150 College Street (Medical Sciences Building - 1 King's College Circle) (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 25, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 150 College Street (Medical Sciences Building - 1 King's College Circle) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 150 College Street (Medical Sciences Building - 1 King's College Circle) (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 25, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PB36.3adopted
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance and description of heritage attributes in Attachment 1. The properties at 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street contain two pairs of semi-detached house-form buildings completed between 1886 and 1888. The Late Victorian-era dwellings are located on the west side of "old" Sumach Street, a remnant one-block stub severed from the original street alignment in the 1960s to make way for the Richmond Street Bridge from the westbound Don Valley Parkway (DVP) off-ramp at Richmond and the concurrent eastbound Adelaide Street Bridge that cut through the city's historic Corktown neighbourhood and destroyed over 200 residences. The subject properties stand today directly alongside the parkway ramps as fortunate survivors of the area's late-19th century residential character, as well as physical evidence of the impact of mid-20th century urban renewal efforts on existing neighbourhoods and their sense of place. A location map and current photograph of the properties are found in Attachment 2. The subject properties were identified as having cultural heritage value through the Cultural Heritage Resource Assessment conducted as part of the King-Parliament Secondary Plan Review (2019) and were included on the City of Toronto's Heritage Register in December 2020. Staff have determined that the properties at 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street have cultural heritage value and meet 4 of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets 2 or more of the 9 criteria. As of July 1, 2021, Section 29(1.2) of the Ontario Heritage Act restricts City Council's ability to give notice of its intention to designate a property under the Act to within 90 days of a "Prescribed Event". The properties at 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street are subject to a Prescribed Event. On September 13, 2021, the City received an Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application related to the proposed redevelopment of the subject properties (21204556STE13OZ). The City Clerk sent a Notice of Complete Application on December 24, 2021. The owner provided a waiver to hold the time limit for Council to make a decision in abeyance until such time as either the Owner or the City of Toronto provides written notice to the other party (the "Notice") that the 90 day time period will recommence with the first day of the 90 day time period being the day that is fourteen days after the date of the Notice. Neither party has reenacted the time period and has instead through dialogue co-ordinated the timing of the staff report to the Toronto Preservation Board. On July 23, 2025, the City received a resubmission of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment application to facilitate a revised development proposal including partial retention and integration of the subject properties. A Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) authored by ERA Architects and dated November 30, 2021 was submitted in support of the active development application on the site of the subject properties. A revised HIA authored by ERA Architects and dated July 11, 2025 accompanied the revised development application submission on July 23, 2025. Both versions of the HIA conclude that the properties at 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street have cultural heritage value with each property meeting 2 or more criteria in their evaluation under Ontario Regulation 9/06 prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. Designation enables City Council to review proposed alterations or demolitions to the properties and enforce heritage property standards and maintenance.
The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 26, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the properties under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 6-8 and 10-12 Sumach Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 26, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the properties under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PB36.4adopted
This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 164 and 166 Isabella Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for their cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance which includes a description of heritage attributes found in Attachment 1. The properties at 164 and 166 Isabella Street are located on the north side of Isabella Street between Sherbourne Street and Huntley Street in the North St. James Town neighbourhood. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2. Constructed in 1887 by builder James Hewlett, the properties are a pair of large semi-detached red-brick residences that appear as a single grand residence. Designed in a late-nineteenth century vernacular interpretation of the Gothic Revival style, the red brick clad structure features symmetrically organized gabled bays with an elaborate steeply pitched roofline. Staff have determined that the properties at 164 and 166 Isabella Street have cultural heritage value and meet 3 of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria. The properties were both listed on the City's Heritage Register on January 15, 1991. On August 18, 2025, the City received Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Site Plan Control applications related to the proposed redevelopment of the subject properties at 164 and 166 Isabella Street, along with the adjacent Part IV designated property at 168 Isabella Street, with a 69-storey residential building containing 660 units. The proposed development will integrate the historic structures into the new residential building. Since the above noted development applications have been made to the City, a potential prescribed event may occur on this property.
The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 164 and 166 Isabella Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 164 and 166 Isabella Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 29, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council state its intention to designate the properties at 164 and 166 Isabella Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 164 and 166 Isabella Street (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (September 29, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning. 2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
PB36.5adopted
This report recommends that City Council approve the alterations proposed for the property at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue under Part V, Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act in connection with the construction of a new five storey rear addition to provide additional office accommodation. The subject property is located on the north side of Prince Arthur Avenue between Bedford Road and Avenue Road and contains a two and a half storey brick form building constructed circa 1891. The subject lands are part of the East Annex Heritage Conservation District (EAHCD). The development proposal includes the retention of the main body of the existing two and a half-storey brick and stone building and removal of its rear two-storey addition to facilitate the construction of a new five-storey addition at the rear. The existing rear addition is not original. The new five-storey addition would be two storeys higher than the ridge of the existing heritage building and would therefore not comply with the guidelines for additions in the EAHCD Plan which state that additions should be lower than the height of the existing ridge. Notwithstanding this, the EAHCD Plan recognises that substantial development in the rear yards is evident on Prince Arthur and that rear additions here should not "over-power the existing buildings and preferably should have low visibility from the street." Staff are supportive of the proposed redevelopment of the site, given that the addition is setback behind the existing retained two and a half storey heritage building and that it would not over-power the existing heritage building. It would be set back over 14m from the front of the heritage building and would have limited visibility from the street so that the visual prominence of the heritage building within the public realm would remain. The HIA says that the proposed new rear addition would use "compatible materials and colours" but details of these have not been included. They will be required as part of the Conservation Plan submission. In July 2025 a minor variance application for the five-storey rear addition was approved by the Committee of Adjustment.
The Toronto Preservation Board recommends that: 1. City Council approve the construction of a five storey rear addition on the heritage property at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue, in accordance with Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, with such alterations substantially in accordance with plans and drawings prepared by Richard Wengle, dated March 24, 2025 and Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) prepared by ERA Architects Inc. dated July 16, 2025 and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, subject to the following additional conditions: a. the Owner shall: 1. provide a detailed Conservation Plan prepared by a qualified heritage consultant that is substantially in accordance with the conservation strategy set out in the Heritage Impact Assessment for 36 Prince Arthur Avenue dated July 16, 2025 prepared by ERA Architects Inc. to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; 2. provide a detailed Landscape Plan for the property at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue, satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such a Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; and b. that prior to the issuance of any permit for all or any part of the property at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue, including a heritage permit or a building permit, but excluding permits for repairs and maintenance and usual and minor works for the property as are acceptable to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, the owner shall: 1. provide building permit drawings, including notes and specifications for the conservation and protective measures keyed to the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.a.1 above including a description of materials and finishes, to be prepared by the project architect and a qualified heritage consultant to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; 2. provide building permit drawings, including notes and specifications that are keyed to the approved Landscape Plan required in Recommendation 1.a.2 above to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; 3. provide a Letter of Credit, including provision for upwards indexing, in a form and amount and from a bank satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, to secure all work included in the approved Conservation Plan; and c. that prior to the release of the Letter of Credit required in Recommendation 1.b.3 above, the owner shall: 1. provide a letter of substantial completion prepared and signed by a qualified heritage consultant confirming that the required conservation work has been completed in accordance with the approved Conservation Plan and that an appropriate standard of conservation has been maintained, all to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.
Staff recommendation as filed
The Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning recommends that: 1. City Council approve the construction of a five storey rear addition on the heritage property at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue, in accordance with Section 42 of the Ontario Heritage Act, with such alterations substantially in accordance with plans and drawings prepared by Richard Wengle, dated March 24, 2025 and Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) prepared by ERA Architects Inc. dated July 16, 2025 and on file with the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, subject to the following additional conditions: a. the Owner shall: 1. provide a detailed Conservation Plan prepared by a qualified heritage consultant that is substantially in accordance with the conservation strategy set out in the Heritage Impact Assessment for 36 Prince Arthur Avenue dated July 16, 2025 prepared by ERA Architects Inc. to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; 2. provide a detailed Landscape Plan for the property at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue, satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning and thereafter shall implement such a Plan to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; and b. that prior to the issuance of any permit for all or any part of the property at 36 Prince Arthur Avenue, including a heritage permit or a building permit, but excluding permits for repairs and maintenance and usual and minor works for the property as are acceptable to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, the owner shall: 1. provide building permit drawings, including notes and specifications for the conservation and protective measures keyed to the approved Conservation Plan required in Recommendation 1.a.1 above including a description of materials and finishes, to be prepared by the project architect and a qualified heritage consultant to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; 2. provide building permit drawings, including notes and specifications that are keyed to the approved Landscape Plan required in Recommendation 1.a.2 above to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning; 3. provide a Letter of Credit, including provision for upwards indexing, in a form and amount and from a bank satisfactory to the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, to secure all work included in the approved Conservation Plan; and c. that prior to the release of the Letter of Credit required in Recommendation 1.b.3 above, the owner shall: 1. provide a letter of substantial completion prepared and signed by a qualified heritage consultant confirming that the required conservation work has been completed in accordance with the approved Conservation Plan and that an appropriate standard of conservation has been maintained, all to the satisfaction of the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning.