Toronto City Council moves to designate four historic buildings for heritage protection

The City of Toronto is moving to officially protect four historic buildings under the Ontario Heritage Act, a step that would make it much harder for them to be demolished and replaced with new development.

One of the properties is the Garibaldi House in Corktown. Built around 1858, the two-storey wood-frame building originally operated as a hotel and tavern and is one of the oldest surviving commercial buildings in the neighbourhood. Over the last 160 years, the Georgian-style building on the corner of King and Berkeley housed a variety of different businesses. City staff say the building's significance lies in the way it "reflects the early commercial development of the King-Parliament Area." It's been listed on the City's Heritage Register since 1973, but formal designation would give the city stronger authority to review any future alterations or demolition proposals.

Another property Toronto is protecting is the Weston Lions Arena, a long-standing community rink tucked inside Weston Lions Park next to the Humber River. Built around 1948, the arena is considered a post-war neighbourhood landmark, with its concrete-block construction, rugged brick exterior and simulated stone façade reflecting the design of the era. The building was added to the City's Heritage Register earlier this year, shortly before Toronto assumed responsibility for the arena on April 1.

Over in Lawrence Park South, the City is looking to protect the Kimbark House, a unique home designed by Toronto architects Curry and Sparling and constructed in 1910. The two-story Arts and Crafts-style estate was built by a stone mason from Scotland and has had notable residents over the years, including businessman Frank M. Kimbark and Canadian criminal defence lawyer Edward Greenspan. Listed on Toronto's Heritage Register since 1979, the property would now be considered for formal designation.

The City is also looking to protect two University of Toronto properties. According to a report heading to the Toronto Preservation Board, staff have determined these buildings have cultural heritage value and meet provincial criteria required for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act.