Pilkington Glass Complex

In 2010, ERA’s heritage planning services were engaged for the redevelopment of 15–35 Mercer Street, a downtown site of three heritage buildings that housed the Pilkington Glass Company from 1895 to 1969.

Following a lengthy approvals process, the final plan included the partial retention and adaptive reuse of all three heritage buildings, integrating them into the podium of a new two-tower development featuring Canada’s first Nobu Hotel and Residences.

ERA worked closely with the design team to develop strategies for conserving and sensitively adapting the retained heritage fabric, including accessibility considerations, reinstating missing heritage elements, and meeting the requirements of the new uses. With three distinct eras of historical construction represented on the site, ERA was able to apply the breadth of its in-house knowledge to address the unique materials, assembly, and design of each building.

A signature component of the project involved dismantling, salvaging, and reconstructing the historic interior lobby at 31 Mercer Street, clad entirely in Pilkington’s proprietary Vitrolite glass. The team worked closely with North America’s foremost Vitrolite specialist to devise a detailed reconstruction strategy and source rare materials. A novel interpretive feature allows passersby to view the restored lobby through a glazed opening inscribed with explanatory text.

Through stabilization, conservation, and adaptive reuse, the Pilkington Glass Complex has been successfully integrated into a landmark development while conserving unique heritage resources, reinforcing the historic industrial and commercial character of the district, and enhancing the street-level experience of the development.