A nod (and wink) to heritage

Christopher Hume

It may be time to call in the army.

From the Royal Canadian Military Institute to the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, heritage buildings across the city are fast being destroyed.

The institute's century-old quarters at 462 University Ave. could soon disappear to make way for - what else? - a condo tower.

"There's a lot of history in this building," admits the institute's general manager Michael Jones. "There's a lot of tradition. It is a beautiful building. But it's in bad shape ... difficult and expensive to maintain. The membership held a vote and the plan was passed. The application is with the city now. We don't expect to hear back until the spring of 2009."

In typical Toronto fashion, the developer, Pickering's Tribute Communities, would keep the front façade of the building as a nod to its heritage value.

Thank you very much.

In late May, I met Albert Fulton for the first time.

Heritage Toronto was working on a plaque to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Gibraltar Lighthouse on the Toronto Islands. We had gone to the Island to meet with those involved in the celebration, including Albert, the Island archivist.

He struck me as a very kind, gentle and quiet man but what was the most evident was his passion for the Islands, his second home. Often when we work on projects we rely not just on research, but those who live and breathe their corner of Toronto. Albert was that man on the Islands, a man we admired for his understanding of its past, present and future. His cottage door on the Islands was regularly open to visitors, who could browse the extensive archives of books and photographs.

This wasn't the first time Heritage Toronto had worked with Albert - he had led walks in his other neighbourhood, Wychwood Park, and we had collaborated on another Island plaque for Babe Ruth's first professional home run. He was always generous with his time.

Here is the winning poster, designed by Anna Robertson

This competition, sponsored by the Toronto Society of Architects and Heritage Toronto, was based on the idea that protecting our heritage resources - buildings, structures, landscapes, and neighbourhoods - is fundamentally about enhancing the meaning and quality of life, maintaining a unique sense of place, supporting the cultural and economic vitality of our cities, and improving the health and sustainability of the environments we inhabit.

Please join us for the opening reception of the TSA and Heritage Toronto's 2008 Poster Exhibition on Friday, June 20, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Come see the competition finalists of the 2008 Poster Design Competition and vote for your favourite as People's Choice! This competition was based on the idea that protecting our heritage resources - buildings, structures, landscapes, and neighbourhoods - is fundamentally about enhancing the meaning and quality of life, maintaining a unique sense of place, supporting the cultural and economic vitality of our cities, and improving the health and sustainability of the environments we inhabit.

Urbanscape Gallery
2959 Dundas Street West, between Keele and Pacific
Gallery Hours: Wed. - Sat., 2:00-6:00 p.m.

For more information, please visit www.urbanopathy.com

Hope to see you there!