Building Conservation
Spotlight
Parkwood Estate National Historic Site: Greenhouse Conservation
Oshawa’s Parkwood Estate was erected in 1915 as the home of automotive industrialist Colonel Sam McLaughlin, who had a keen interest in horticulture. Designed by the leading establishment architecture firm Darling & Pearson, the estate included five greenhouses, with additional greenhouses added over time. The estate is now a National Historic Site. After the property...
National Arts Centre
Situated in the heart of the nation’s capital on Confederation Square, Ottawa’s National Arts Centre (NAC) displays a robust Brutalist geometric form, evoking the image of a fortress for the arts. Built between 1964 and 1969 as one of the federal government’s centennial projects, the NAC was designed by Fred Lebensold of the Montreal-based architecture...
Chapters – Runnymede Theatre
Built in the 1927-28 and designed by Chapman & Oxley, the Runnymede was a rare type of cinema called an “atmospheric theatre” that projected images of moving clouds onto its sky-blue ceiling. The building remained a cinema until its conversion into a Chapters bookstore in 1998. A designated heritage property, ERA provided architectural heritage consulting...
Maritime Life Tower
Built in 1909-1910, this Edwardian Baroque building was designed for the Bank of Montreal by the Toronto architectural firm of Darling and Pearson. A designated heritage property, this building is prominently located in downtown Toronto. ERA was contracted to provide a heritage conservation plan to be incorporated into the adaptive reuse of this designated building...
Direct Energy Centre
The principal project created new exhibition halls, and incorporated the existing stone and brick Coliseum Complex, dating from 1922-26. ERA directed the restoration and reconstruction of the previously demolished south elevation of the Coliseum Arena and design integration at the junction of the old and new buildings. In a subsequent project, ERA advised on the...
Ryrie Building
The Ryrie Building is an innovative nineteenth century commercial development designed by architects Langley & Burke and constructed in 1891 with an addition by Horwood & White in 1913-14. The Ryrie Building is listed on the City of Toronto’s inventory of heritage properties. ERA has been involved in a long-term renovation programme including interior and...
The Hard Rock Cafe
The building at 279-283 Yonge Street was constructed in 1918 as a ’Childs Restaurant’. The restaurant was part of a chain based in New York City, where the Childs Company employed New York architect John Chorley Westervelt to design their Toronto premises. Its distinctive design employs decorative white-glazed terra cotta as a cladding material on...
Colborne Lodge
Built in 1836, Colborne Lodge is listed on Toronto’s inventory of heritage properties.It is an early example of the regency cottage in Ontario. Chimney repair, environmental and programming modifications, accessibility and landscape improvements have been undertaken on an ongoing basis. ERA provided heritage architectural services for a program of maintenance, covering all stages of the...
Ladywood
Built in 1892, Ladywood was one of the earliest summer homes designed by the prominent Toronto architect Frank Darling. Built in the Shingle Style, the house had extensive and picturesque outbuildings and fine exterior finishes. ERA was retained to provide a comprehensive assessment report of the building’s condition and a phased restoration plan, as well...
