King-SpadinaHCD Study

City of TorontoTaylor Hazell Architects Ltd.Urban StrategiesASI

Stakeholder ConsultationsDraper Street NeighbourhoodAssociation

September 24, 2013

What is an HCD?

A Heritage Conservation District (HCD) is a distinct area identified for its natural, historic, aesthetic, architectural, scenic, social or spiritual values.

HCDs are typically characterized by:

Concentration of heritage buildings and landscapes Structural elements Visual coherence

Designation allows municipal council to manage and guide future change through plans and guidelines which conserve and enhance the district’s values.

01 / Heritage Property 02 / Employment Uses in Converted Warehouse 03 / Heritage Building Streetscape 04 / Architectural Detail

HCD’s in the City of Toronto

There are currently 21 HCDsin the City of Toronto that have been designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.

In addition, 5 City Council approved HCD Studies are under way.

A – King-Spadina HCD Study

B – Garden District HDC Study and Plan

C – Queen Street East HDC Study and Plan

D – Historic Yonge Street HDC Study and Plan

E – St. Lawrence HDC Study

The IncredibleKing-Spadina HCD Study

Step 1: Inventory• 390 properties • Fieldwork completed• Data entry in process

Step 2: AssembleThematic HistoriesTo understand the historical development of the area, we research themes to lead us to an understanding of historical agents, events and processes that have shaped the Study area.

Fabric as a synthesis of individual and collective features. In this rich area we have tracked:

06 / Adelaide St. West at Simcoe c. 1890

• The Original Natural Landscape

• Aboriginal Occupation

• Founding the Town of York and the Military Reserve

• The Dissolution of the Military Reserve and Visions of Development

• The First Wave of Residential Development

• Initial Industrial Developments

• Institutional Uses

• Residential and Industrial Intensification

• Industrial Decline and Change and Shrinking Residential Areas

• Adaptive Reuse Cultural Employment, Creative Industries and the Entertainment District

• New and Emerging Residential Neighbourhoods

• Rebirth

• The Ultimate Sustainability

Town of York, 1797

Study Area, 1833

Study Area, 1858

Study Area, 1884

Study Area, 1910

Study Area, 1923

Study Area, 1957

Preliminary Findings

Development• Blocks developed in their entirety

Intensification• Commercial functions increase• Some 19th century buildings remain• Larger scale warehouse buildings

Decline• Manufacturing industry which drove Toronto’s

growth falls into decline

Adaptive Reuse• Warehouse buildings converted to use for high-tech,

arts and entertainment industries• Flexibility of space in converted buildings suited to

small firms • Over 26,000 employees in the area

09 / Thriving 10 / Decline 11 / Rebirth

Step 3: Identify and Group Building Types and Styles

07 / King St. West

Step 4: Evaluate Significance

08 / Richmond St. West

Consult • Consult • Consult