U of T demolishing former Kappa Alpha frat house for new Indigenous Hub on St. George
The university will tear down two buildings at 160 and 162 St. George Street to create a central space bringing together Indigenous academic, administrative and student services.
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University of Toronto is demolishing two buildings at 160 and 162 St. George Street to build a new Indigenous Hub — a central gathering space intended to make Indigenous academic and student services more visible and accessible on the downtown campus.
The hub will bring together First Nations House Indigenous Student Services, the Centre of Indigenous Studies, and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. The city issued a demolition permit in April as part of early site preparation. U of T confirmed in May 2025 that the hub would be built in the heart of the St. George campus, though the university has not yet unveiled the exact location or released architectural designs.
The building at 160 St. George dates to 1894–95, when it was constructed as a Victorian mansion for barrister and lawyer Columbus Hopkins Greene. It housed a Bank of Montreal regional office from 1897 to 1932, then became home to Kappa Alpha Literary Society — Canada's second-oldest fraternity — from 1932 until 2022. U of T purchased the property in 2022 after initially disclosing its intention to acquire it in 2018; the university threatened expropriation when the fraternity initially refused to sell. Neither building carries heritage designation.
Shannon Simpson, executive director of the Office of Indigenous Initiatives, said in a statement: "This Indigenous Hub at the University of Toronto will be more than a home for Indigenous academic, administrative and student supports – it will be a place of belonging, visibility and connection. Its construction is an important recognition of Indigenous presence and contributions across the university."
The project is described as a longstanding plan for U of T's Indigenous community members. The university has not disclosed the cost of demolition and construction or provided a timeline for when the hub will be complete.
What is the total cost of demolition and new construction?
When is the hub expected to open?
What will happen to 162 St. George Street specifically?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
What will replace the buildings at 160 and 162 St. George Street?
The University of Toronto will build an Indigenous Hub, a central gathering space that brings together First Nations House Indigenous Student Services, the Centre of Indigenous Studies, and the Office of Indigenous Initiatives.
When did the University of Toronto purchase 160 St. George Street?
The university purchased the property in 2022, after initially disclosing its intention to acquire it in 2018.
What organization occupied 160 St. George Street before the university bought it?
Kappa Alpha Literary Society, Canada's second-oldest fraternity, occupied the building from 1932 until 2022.
