Toronto Historical Board
Public Enemy No.1
The ghosts of demolished buildings like the historical Colonial Tavern and Peoples Jewellers surround the Headquarters of the Toronto Historical Board. The picture speaks for itself.
Update 2003: The Historical Board vacated this building. Now it sits empty & for sale. Seems the useless organisation was wasting too much valuable real estate!
Have you ever wondered why there is not more opposition to the destruction of heritage buildings in Toronto?
"When Toronto residents heard in 1967 that the city's landmark Old City Hall might be demolished to make way for the new Eaton Centre, they rallied to save the building. The early 1960's had seen a dramatic change in the look of city centres across Canada as new skyscrapers replaced earlier buildings and neighbourhoods. By Centennial year in 1967, however, people were beginning to recognise that growth and renewal come with a price, that was the year Canada's heritage movement gained widespread support." Scott James, The Globe & Mail
Can you imagine tearing down Old City Hall for the Eaton Centre today? Was the atmosphere of the time different? I think not. Look at the more recent monuments that have been destroyed: the C.N.E. Grandstand Stadium, Salvation Army Headquarters, F.W. Woolworth Building. All carried out without an iota of protest from the public, the government or public and private heritage organisations.
One would think that the Toronto Historical Board would take the leading role in lobbying for heritage. They have been mandated to do so. They have been given a budget to do so. You would think with their resources that they would take the lead in educating the public and government on the need to preserve our history. If you thought that, you would be wrong!
When the Toronto Historical Board's Preservation Section was created in 1973 many concerned Torontonians thought they could put down their placards. The preservationists went to rest from their various campaigns like 'City Hall', 'Union Station' and 'Spadina Expressway'. They settled in their comfortable homes, but forgot that the fight was not over. More important, they thought the Toronto Historical Board was fighting for their interests.
Where is the "preservation movement" today? Why did this movement die after the Old City Hall fight? And why wasn't the fight extended to the equally signigicant Temple Building that faced Old City Hall. Surely it too was worthy of the same preservation attention. But the Temple Building was destroyed.
"There was usually no excuse for demolitions. The elegant Temple building, Toronto's first skyscraper was replaced by the dull, near anonymous Thomson building". William Demby & William Kilbourn, Now Magazine
The Heritage Movement is a huge industry, one built on compromise and broken promises. Where have institutions like Heritage Canada, Canadian Heritage, the Ontario Heritage Foundation, the Toronto Historical Board, and the many volunteer public heritage societies been? Why are they so invisible?
The Toronto Historical Board was formally established in 1960. Its Historical Preservation Section began operations in 1973.
Their mandate sounds impressive:
"A community is shaped by its understanding of the past and the physical surroundings of everyday life. Built evidence of the past, in the form of buildings, structures and areas of architectural historical and archaeological interest, provides significant insight into community history and identity. The evidence of evolving patterns of architectural design and the quality of workmanship of older buildings provides a rich visual texture that contributes to the quality of life. The Toronto Historical Board (THB) is responsible for heritage preservation in the City of Toronto. The Board serves as the City's Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee (LACAC) under the terms of the Ontario Heritage Act and advises City Council on matters relating to the history of Toronto and the protection of its heritage. The Inventory of Heritage Properties: compiled by the THB for the City Council, the Inventory of Heritage Properties is a list which identifies Toronto's architectural, historical and archaeological heritage. The Inventory was started in 1973 and lists more than 3,500 properties ranging from well-known landmarks. Properties included on the Inventory are refereed to as "listed" and are officially recognised by the Toronto City Council as architecturally significant. Their inclusion on the Inventory is a clear statement that the City would like these heritage properties preserved". from Toronto Historical Board Mandate/Mission statement
During the life time of the Toronto Historical Board(THB) whole sections of the city, encompassing vast city blocks and representing two-hundred years of built history have been allowed to be erased. The construction of the new city hall called for the removal of four city blocks. It was the City that started the trend. This made it easier for developers to block-bust as with the development of the Toronto Dominion Centre, First Canadian Place, Commerce Court and the Eaton Centre sites.
"Oblivious to the force of the gathering backlash, the city hall establishment had repeatedly and often callously disregarded the wishes of average citizens in its eagerness to keep the wrecking ball swinging." Anthony Bianco, Now Magazine
"Perhaps the THB has been put in place by developers and politicians to be a passive wrecking ball, a placebo to placate those concerned. They are misleading and dangerous, a mercenary soldier in a Red Cross uniform." Robert Chandler , Toronto Resident
The trend for "urban renewal" was flamed by developers, architects, guru urban planners and the media. Their artillery was cultural self-loathing, and false threats of the same urban decay that was affecting many American urban cores.
"Torontonians are not used to hearing that their architecture is good, so no one ever thinks about trying to keep buildings up. There are generations of Canadians with no respect for our buildings because they have always been taught that there is nothing good in Canada. The public in general has to be more educated." William Demby, Now Magazine
When new city hall was in its planning stages, calls for the retention of historical buildings were to be part of the new city hall development site. The most significant building was the neo-classic Registry Building: it could have been easily incorporated into the plan, but it wasn't. The destruction of this building is one of the most senseless destructive acts in this city's history. Architects and "experts" of the time responded in familiar fashion.
"The final plan should not be influenced by the Registry Building. Uno Prii who has studied architecture in Estonia and Sweden, described the building as 'a 50 year-old copy of a 2000-year old building'...architecture student Sam Young said the Registry Building was already obsolete when it was built in 1917." from City of Toronto Archives Files
The lesson not learned then and now is that our history and built resources are important and worth keeping for future generations. Every generation must be allowed to express itself in building, but that expression does not give one license to destroy the work of the previous generation.
"We don't want designation to interfere with construction,"--jokes Scott James, former head of the THB...Furthermore, the climate is changed," James continues. "We in the heritage business are now much more interested in the everyday fabric of the city than in simply identifying landmarks.We're into community and neighbourhood preservation." Scott James, Globe & Mail
One must ask what is the role of the THB? If it cannot save a building, how can we expect i to preserve the "fabric" of the community as well? This shift indicates professional incompetence, and the THB has continually proven itself ineffectual in the past.
Heritage Canada made the same mistake by expanding its mandate and ultimately wiping away its effectiveness and reputation with its primary focus of saving buildings.
It would be wonderful if the Toronto Historical Board could do it all, but it has neither the expertise nor the resources.
"At present, the tools available for preservation are inadequate. designating a building does not save it. The board and the city recognise this and are engaged in a comprehensive review of the city's heritage preservation policies and procedures. Crucial to the success of any municipal initiative is the strengthening of the 10-year-old Ontario Heritage Act." Scott James, Globe & Mail
Twelve years after this statement was made by the former director of the Toronto Historical Board, little has really changed. Fewer and fewer buildings get protected, and more and more the THB compromises its mandate or worse, throws it away.
In 1998, Designation still does not save buildings, the Ontario Heritage Act remains a powerless tool, and even federally designated National Historic Sites (unless federally-owned) can be demolished.
Responding to criticism that the THB has been asleep at the wheel in regards to demolitions, George Waters who is employed by that organisation complains, "...the THB is not informed of applications to demolish buildings unless a property is included in the inventory of heritage properties. Moreover they are not publicised at all. Thus, most of us first learn of a proposed demolition when it is already too late."Now Magazine
Mr. Waters is a very well paid civil servant. It should not be too much of an inconvenience to make himself aware of his surroundings. The Buildings and Inspections Department of the City of Toronto publishes weekly lists of building and demolition applications and permits. Just because buildings are not in the THB's Bible of Designated Properties does not mean they are not worthy of attention. Water's actions are irresponsible and border on negligence. It is the THB's responsibility to monitor and maintain the city's architectural inventory.
A case in point was the senseless destruction of the Bulova Tower at the Canadian National Exhibition.
"The Bulova Tower is a loss I would regret, but it had not been identified by the board as a heritage structure" Scott James, The Globe & Mail
The Historical Board couldn't recognise a historical building if it fell on them and it is a wonder one hasn't. They stared at the Bulova Tower for thirty years, it stood in full view outside their window, just a few steps adjacent to the Boards offices. They had plenty of time to make a case for the retention of the tower: instead when it came down to the crunch they cowered away for fear of losing their 'reputation'.
Aside from their Strawberry Tea Socials, and beating the Historic Fort York tom-tom, it must be frustrating for staff of the THB to realise that their thirty year existence has really been an endless parade of lost causes, compromises, and demolition derbys.One word comes to mind, fiasco.
Some THB Board Members must have gone in thinking that they could make a difference, only to realise of the Board's lack of power and commitment to saving buildings. Their recommendations always evaporate to the whims of the politicians who hold the ultimate power to designate.
Why has there not been a stronger movement by the Board to enhance its power to designate and cut the binds from City Council? Why after thirty years are they still talking about the same issues, the same lack of tools to make the THB an effective organisation? Why have consecutive Directors and Board Members not seen the need to have an arms-length association with City Council, like the Toronto Arts Council has? If these individual people were interested in saving buildings they would have resigned or protested as a way of bringing about change to the THB.
The idea that joining the heritage movement could bring about change is a flacid and empty notion. Anyone joining or working with the Board can see that it is a trip to the land of compromise, and the land of going nowhere fast.
It is also frustrating when the Provincial Government has made promises of progress on the heritage front to the THB on a continuous basis. Other heritage groups have worked with the THB anticipating this change, but it never comes. Imagine all the endless boring meetings, conferences, the emtpy promises and anticipation of "elect us and we will" incoming governments, while all around them buildings are falling! (see photograph above)
"Daniel Nicastro was a busy man on the Toronto Historical Board--until he got the boot last week. He speculates that he has not been re-appointed because of his views on development projects. For example in newspaper interviews and public meetings he criticised the Toronto Raptors plans for an arena that would see about half of the facades of the landmark Postal Delivery building at 40 Bay demolished, although many of the sculptures would be retained. "When you are given no explanation for your removal, you get the feeling that somebody wants you to be kept quiet. Councillor John Adams, chair of the nominating committee, says he is unaware of Nicastro's views. Several historical board members contacted say Nicastro was both outspoken and active." Now Magazine
It must be frustrating to serve on the board if you are passionate or sincere and not merely an appointee by the councilors that select the Historical Board. It must be frustrating to be on staff of the THB and be always watchful of the political climate.
"You asked me the question, what is the Board going to do? The honest answer is I don't know. Right now I don't know the answer and I don't think there is a right one given the political climate, and when I say a 'right one', one that will fly..." a THB staff member asked about the THB's position on John Inglis Plant (now demolished)
Clearly the Historical Board is concerned about its reputation and doing what is correct or expedient. Industrial sites like the John Inglis factory aren't seen as heritage property. They imagine City Council laughing at them for suggesting that these working class monuments have any architectural and historical significance.
In fact, the only building that the Historical Board chose to recommend for designation from acres of buildings on the John Inglis site was a small chunk of the original work prison on these lands. It sits on what is now a vacant windswept site, but in the eyes of City Council this looked "historical" and worthy of designation. It also looked like the THB was doing its job and they once again maintained credibility with the city and therefore the owners (Whirpool International and the federal government).
The THB loves to plaque. They plan to plaque Inglis, too bad that they couldn't have saved the over one million-square feet of warehouse space. Too bad that we are losing our industrial infrastructure in exchange for historical signage. These boards and societies have become liabilities because they give the impression that they alone have taken over the issue of saving buildings and are carrying the torch for heritage. They give the public a false sense of security.
The Toronto Historical Board is assumed by the public to carry out an administrative, adjudicative process as a public trust. Experience has shown the Board to have a definite bias against those who are most concerned about preserving heritage. They can accommodate whatever is wanted by foreign multi nationals who would level large sections of the city for no other reason than to lower taxes or gain leverage for re-zoning. To support such wanton destruction of important architectural resources and industrial infrastructure is a very disturbing position for an organisation which holds the public trust to take.
Like the many fine 19th century buildings that took such a knocking in the past, it is now the 20th century that is disappearing. Just look at the current attack on our Industrial and Modern Architecture.
And we have to ask ourselves when is this going to stop?
Check out the list of remarkable buildings lost to the wreckers ball and or humiliated by facadism in Toronto.
Repinted in part from the book: CLEARCUT. If you would like to order a copy please contact us.
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Urbanism is dedicated to Canadian Modern Architecture & Design, and to the Preservation of Architecture across the Dominion of Canada. Urbanism was launched in mid-1998 in a campaign to save Toronto's CNE Grandstand Stadium from demolition. Urbanism is a resourse for the public to utilise and act if they so choose. These will include demolition alerts, new construction, databases on Modern Architecture, General Canadian Architecture, Architects, Industry, and Canadian Industrial Design.
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