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Maclean House at 7 Austin Terrace

Maclean House at 7 Austin Terrace

7 Austin Terrace was part of the estate of Canadian publisher John B. Maclean, founder of Maclean’s Magazine. The main section of the house was never completed, leaving the intended gatehouse to become Maclean’s primary residence. Architect John Lyle, known for his designs of the Royal Alexandra Theatre and Union Station, was the architect on record for this property. Built in Georgian Revival style, the residence features multi-pane sash windows, wall dormers, and a portico with a curved pediment. The asymmetrical placement of the main entrance is unusual to this style. Maclean lived here until his death in 1950 and shortly after the home was converted into apartments.

In December 2009, City of Toronto staff was advised that the current property owner was removing architectural elements and trim from the subject property. Since City Council was not scheduled to meet until January 2010, Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture for the Province of Ontario, was requested to issue a stop order under Section 35(2) of the Ontario Heritage Act. On December 21, 2009, an issue was ordered requiring the property owner to refrain from making further alterations to the site for 60 days while the Province and the City determined its cultural heritage value or interest. 7 Austin Terrace has since been designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value.

Renaissance Fine Homes purchased the property and proposed a townhome redevelopment in 2011; with ERA’s consultation, they retained the front façade and replicated damaged or removed historic architectural components to match the originals.

Visit the Maclean House website here.

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