What has happened at 7 Austin Terrace is more proof, if any were needed, of a major weakness in the City's current approach to heritage preservation.

Heritage Toronto is shocked by the needless destruction of some of the defining heritage elements of this elegant residence, designed by renowned Toronto architect John Lyle.

Much to everyone's frustration, the current building owners have done nothing illegal in partially destroying key architectural features of the home. While local residents and heritage advocates are naturally angry and suspicious about the owners' motivation for this action being taken now, they have no legal recourse.

Time after time, the city pursues designation of a heritage building only after a developer has purchased the property and announced plans for its redevelopment. The result is a confrontational process through the relevant City committees, and sometimes on to the OMB.

How much better, and probably less costly in the long run, if the City were to invest the necessary resources for the completion of Toronto's Inventory of Heritage Properties, thereby setting out a clear set of ground rules for developers and neighbourhoods alike.

Update courtesy of Built Heritage News: Minister of Culture, Aileen Carroll, issued a stop order to prevent further alterations or damage to 7 Austin Terrace.

The stop order gives the Province time to assess the building's potential cultural heritage significance while ensuring the building is not further altered or damaged.

Mayor David Miller requested that the Minister intervene after the property owner removed numerous windows and architectural elements.