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Stories

62 – 64 Charles Street: The Lost Craft of Tuck-pointing Returns

by ERA Architects

...honoured last fall with a 2017 CAHP Award of Excellence —Materials, Craftsmanship and Construction. ERA is continuing to feature this technique prominently through work on the Selby Hotel at 592 Sherbourne, which is set to be completed in the summer. For more information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxPc6_2R-Hc Article by Dave LeBlanc in the Globe and Mail: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/toronto/the-lost-art-of-tuckpointing-reborn-intoronto/article37802073/ Related content: https://www.eraarch.ca/2017/capitalizing-on-heritage-awarding-conservation-materials-craftsmanship-and-construction/ https://www.eraarch.ca/2017/era-learns-the-fine-art-of-tuckpointing-from-a-melbourne-based-master/ https://www.eraarch.ca/2012/tuckpointing-a-note-on-detail/  ...

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Wall of books of many sizes and ages
Ideas & Issues

Diving Into the ERA Library—Part 1 

by ERA Architects

...tool to help serve as a guide to assist in repairing the damaged relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada.  LINK: http://www.nctr.ca  The Chinese in Toronto from 1878, by Arlene Chan (Dundurn Press, 2011)  In 1894 Toronto’s Chinese population numbered 50. Today, no less than seven Chinatowns serve the nearly 500,000 residents of Chinese descent in the GTA. Author...

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North York Modernist Favourites, Volume One.

by ERA Architects

...undiscovered trove of modernist treasures in Toronto, which we drive, walk, or bike past everyday. Forest Hills I, II and III, 1971. Architect: Paul Ospolak. This apartment complex was highlighted as part of the ongoing Tower Neighbourhood Renewal project research. Formally, these structures are of some of the most unique in the inventory – they feature very subtle hyperboloid elevations...

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New Vision Church Preaches to the Converted as ‘The Music Hall’ (with new video link)

by ERA Architects

...available for sale online now. The church will be seeking a heritage designation, which will describe the cultural heritage value of the building and guide its renovation work. ERA is working in an architectural consultancy capacity to meet critical building code requirements for fire-rating and washrooms. The next phase of work will include a ticket booth, upgraded seating and acoustics,...

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Publications & Exhibits

One Year of ‘The Signs That Define Toronto’ 

by Kurt Kraler

...Historic Yonge Street Heritage Conservation District that allow for a broader range of historic sign types. Since the launch of the publication, The Signs That Define… project continues to live online through an active Instagram page. The page features additional stories and photos that did not make it into the book while also reaching a broader online audience. Be sure...

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The Legacy Lives On: Hamilton’s Built Heritage Inventory as an emerging practice in historic urban landscape stewardship

by ERA Architects

...they inhabit could, in the future, be used by cities to identify a much broader range of conservation opportunities, better understand an area’s capacity to change and evolve, and reposition historic resources to serve as the springboard and foundation for new development….’ Article in CIP’s PLAN Canada Journal: http://www.kelmanonline.com/httpdocs/files/CIP/plancanadawinter2017/index.html Related content: https://www.eraarch.ca/2017/hamiltons-durand-built-heritage-inventory-project-incorporates-digital-innovation-to-develop-a-citywide-approach-to-heritage-planning/ https://www.eraarch.ca/project/hamilton-downtown-built-heritage-inventory/ https://www.eraarch.ca/2013/9295/ All images courtesy of ERA Architects....

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Casey House is Awarded the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation

by ERA Architects

...the facility first arose. At its heart, the redevelopment of Casey House was a community-inspired and driven initiative, with stakeholders recognizing the importance of their generous contributions. Congratulations to ERA’s project team: Michael McClelland, Edwin Rowse, Scott Weir, Jessie Grebenc, Joey Giaimo, Luke Denison, and Mikael Sydor. Related links: https://www.eraarch.ca/project/239/ https://www.eraarch.ca/2017/a-hospital-with-heart-that-embraces-its-patients-celebrates-its-grand-reopening/ https://www.eraarch.ca/2017/capitalizing-on-heritage-awarding-conservation-materials-craftsmanship-and-construction/ http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/en/index.php/media-releases/lieutenant-governors-ontario-heritage-awards-presentation ​Project photos are courtesy of Vik Pahwa....

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Amendments to Heritage Policies in Toronto’s Official Plan

by admin

...Plan heritage policies on the City website: www.toronto.ca/opreview/pdf/opreview_proposed_heritage_policy.pdf 2) ERA’s initial comments and draft counter proposal: www.era.on.ca/pdf/ERA_OP_heritage_policy_comments.pdf 3) Draft Amendment No. 199 to Official Plan, just released and available on the City website: http://www.toronto.ca/opreview/pdf/version_opa_atclerks.pdf 4) ERA’s comments on Amendment, submitted respectfully on October 1, 2012: www.era.on.ca/pdf/ERA_OP_heritage_policy_comments2.pdf The key authors of this draft include Michael McClelland (Principal and Co-Founder at ERA),...

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Ward Cabaret

The Ward Cabaret: The sound of Toronto’s first cross-cultural community

by ERA Architects

...be involved with such an amazing production that depicts life in one of Toronto’s first cross-cultural communities. The Ward Cabaret is running December 12-23 at the Harbourfront Centre. Get your tickets on the Harbourfront Centre’s website or find out more at wardcabaret.com. Bonus offer: Buy one ticket, get another free when you use the code WeAreTheWard241. Active until December 6....

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Repurposed junk: A chicken coop

by ERA Architects

“To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk” –Thomas Edison. One thing that attracted us to rural living was a sort of environmental frugality: You try to figure out how to accomplish what needs doing with what you’ve managed to save. (This notion applies to the practice of heritage conservation as well.) Hoarding is admittedly easier...

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Visit the Markham House!

by ERA Architects

...Pisarzowski’s photography exhibition, “Mirvish Village People,” revolving exhibitions by Spacing Magazine, Curbside Cycle, and the Charlotte Hale Gallery, and other exciting events for all ages. And remember: bike, don’t drive! CycleTO will be providing Bike Valet for those visiting the Markham House and exploring the Mirvish Village Sidewalk Street Sale.   For more information, please visit the Mirvish Village website....

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Junction Commons update

by ERA Architects

...public schools, libraries, and other municipal buildings. It is a strongly rhythmic design in a varied material palette of flagstone, glass, brick, marble, concrete, and terrazzo. The 25,974-sq.-ft. building was declared surplus by the City of Toronto, but the transfer of the property to Build Toronto for disposal or sale has been deferred to allow the JCP to propose other...

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