The Webster (121 Scollard)

The three-storey brick building at 121 Scollard Street is designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act, as part of the Yorkville-Hazelton Heritage Conservation District. The building was constructed c.1900 as semidetached units and developed by Leeds Sheppard, a prominent landowner in Yorkville. In the 1950s, the building was transformed into one unit. Fast forward to 2019, and a new prospective retail tenant was interested in taking over the space while executing a series of interior and exterior renovations.

ERA was engaged as heritage consultant to advise on exterior alterations and support the team through the required heritage planning approvals. In addition to a comprehensive interior scope led by Cumulus Architects in collaboration with Agence Stéphane Parmentier, the building required several exterior alterations, including: new windows, a new accessible side entry, revised landscaping along Scollard Street, and masonry conservation.

When faced with the challenge of securing approvals to paint a building pink within a Heritage Conservation District (HCD), ERA undertook an exterior colour study to guide our work. The resulting refurbished building appropriately balances heritage policy with tenant ambitions — all while adding a vibrant pop of colour to the neighbourhood.