The Assembly Hall in Etobicoke is a multi-use community cultural centre featuring the adaptive reuse of a century-old heritage building

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In a webpage devoted to Cultural Attractions, TOLive with Culture describes The Assembly Hall at 1 Colonel Samuel Smith Park Drive. Major renovation has preserved building’s historic charm, blended with modern updates The text at the website notes: The Assembly Hall is located on the scenic Lakeshore Grounds in South Etobicoke. This century-old building has undergone […]

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21 Swanwick Avenue church-to-condo conversion, completed in 2009, is located at a site dating back to 1888

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A City of Toronto By-Law was enacted on April 24, 2007 to designate 21 Swanwick as a heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act. The bylaw notes that: “Emmanuel Presbyterian Church is an institution that contributed to the historical evolution of the East Toronto community. The development of the site dates to 1888 when a small […]

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152 Annette Street in the Junction illustrates a church-to-condo conversion process

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[Update (Oct. 21, 2013): Victoria Lofts (152 Annette Street) has been awarded a 2013 Toronto Heritage Award, namely an Award of Excellence in the William Greer Architectural Conservation and Craftsmanship award category. The project was commissioned by Rivet Development. Architect is Paul Oberst Architect. Also named in the award announcement are B.J. Brickwork Construction Ltd. and […]

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Transparency is be a useful design attribute, as a church renovation at 194 Park Lawn Road illustrates

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As mentioned in an earlier blog post, a church on property south of the Humber Bay Public Library intrigues me because a recent addition includes a focus on the attribute of transparency. Additional information about the design features of the church can be found here. An entry at the Raw design architecture studio website provides […]

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Wesley Mimico United Church was built in two stages

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I’ve noted in a previous blog post that there’s a subtle difference in the colour of the brick exteriors of Wesley Mimico United Church, depending on which part of the building you happen to be looking at. The original building was built starting in 1922. It was, as I understand, completed around 1924. Construction on […]

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New data reveal that income disparity in Brampton, Mississauga and Caledon are on par with many major Canadian cities – April 6, 2013 Toronto Star

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Update:  A May 20, 2013 New York Times article describes increases in poverty rates in suburban American cities. An April 6, 2013 Toronto Star article outlines the changing demographics of the Region of Peel. The headline, subhead, and opening paragraphs of the article read: Peel transformed from middle-class suburbia to income extremes New data reveal that income disparity […]

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Many case studies are available documenting the adaptive resuse of historically significant buildings

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David Switzer of Long Branch shares comments regarding Lakeview Waterfront Connection Project Environmental Assessment

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With regard to a previous blog post regarding ‘Beach’ plans for the Lakeview – and Long Branch – side of Marie Curtis Park, I’ve asked David Switzer of Long Branch for permission to share comments he has shared with me by email. He said: “Yes you can publish my comments as long as you include that […]

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Humber Valley Village Residents Association members pay for alternative design to controversial Humbertown Plaza plans – March 21, 2013 Etobicoke Guardian

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The article referred to in this blog post can be accessed here. [Click at link above to access the article.] Below is the headline and opening paragraphs of an article by Cynthia Reason in The Etobicoke Guardian. HVVRA members pay for alternative design to controversial Humbertown Plaza plans Etobicoke Guardian by Cynthia Reason March 21, […]

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3560, 3580 and 3600 Lake Shore Blvd. West – Community Consultation – April 11, 2013 at 6:30 pm at Assembly Hall

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It’s my understanding that the latest proposal is for an 8 storey apartment with 201 units and commercial at grade, a single storey retail/commercial building, and 300 townhouses. Community Consultation: Thursday April, 2013 at 6.30 p.m. in the East Community Room at the Assembly Hall, 1 Col. Sam Smith Park Drive (Kipling and Lakeshore) The […]

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