Landscape Architecture & Urban Design

The City of Cambridge boasts a history of high quality farmland and industrial activity along its main rivers. The potential that heritage conservation offers for community revitalization and economic development is central to ERA’s work. In collaboration with BRAY Heritage, Archaeological Services Inc., Maltby & Associates Inc. and the Tourism Company, ERA devised a Heritage...

The “Asylum Wall” borders the site of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) at 1001 Queen Street West. Originally built in 1861, the Asylum Wall completely surrounded the Toronto Asylum grounds, and is the only surviving built element of the original asylum existing on site. The Asylum Wall is designated under Part IV...

With the renewal of many of Toronto’s great cultural institutions, the next phase of great city building effort will focus on the public spaces that surround them. Under the direction of Mayor Miller’s “Vision 2010”, the City of Toronto, as custodian of the public realm, will be taking steps to promote the opportunities presented by...

Laid out as part of the historic Village of East Toronto in the 1880s, Lyall Avenue is a good example of the early development patterns that created Toronto’s diverse neighbourhoods and represent Toronto’s rich urban heritage. ERA worked with Lyall Avenue residents to complete a Heritage Conservation District Plan to recognize and maintain the valued...

Parkwood National Historic Site was built in 1916 as the home of the late R. S. McLaughlin, founder of General Motors Canada. The building, designed by architects Darling and Pearson, now serves as a historic house museum, with a collection that includes original furniture, paintings, and tapestries. ERA was retained to provide professional conservation services,...

Toronto Island represents one of Toronto’s most important cultural heritage landscapes. Throughout its history the Island has played many roles in the social, economic, and cultural development of Toronto. From residences and resorts, to public parklands and military service, the nature of Toronto Island’s character lies in a history of diverse uses. ERA worked with...

Since its construction in 1929, Union Station has held a prominent role in the urban landscape of Toronto. The grand civic architecture of Union Station and its Front Street neighbours anchors a precinct that represents many periods of Toronto development. ERA was retained by the City of Toronto to conduct a Heritage Conservation District Study...

ERA served as heritage and cultural planning consultant for the conceptual park designs for Commissioners Park, the first regional, urban park planned for a reinvigorated and redeveloped Portlands. ERA worked closely with the prime consultant, Envision the Hough Group and with Claude Cormier landscape architects of Montreal. The team worked to develop schemes that demonstrate...

“Defining the Public Realm” was created in 2003 for the Culture Division, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Dept., City of Toronto. It is a companion to the 2002 plan “Canada’s Urban Waterfront,” which studied opportunities for new initiatives available across the GTA’s extensive lakeshore. “Defining the Public Realm” follows up by looking at the diversity...

This Plan established a vision that included culture and heritage as essential components of future private and public investment in Toronto’s revitalized waterfront. Prepared for the City of Toronto, this plan suggests a rationale for development that includes a focus on public life, the people and the lived experience of the city. The vision of...

Built in 1853, Chiefswood was the childhood home of E. Pauline Johnson, renowned Canadian poet and performer. A National Historic Site, ERA provided full architectural services for the phased restoration of the interior and exterior of the house and the reconstruction of the wood-clad kitchen wing, in accordance with a conservation plan developed with Parks...