Item - 2025.PH19.5

The Planning and Housing Committee recommends that:

1. City Council state its intention to designate the property at 667 King Street West (including the active entrance at 92 Bathurst Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act in accordance with the Statement of Significance for 667 King Street West (Reasons for Designation) attached as Attachment 1 to the report (March 3, 2025) from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning.

2. If there are no objections to the designation, City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce the Bill in Council designating the property under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 667 King Street West (including an active entrance at 92 Bathurst Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance and description of heritage attributes found in Attachment 1.

The subject property at 667 King Street West is located at the southwest corner of King Street West and Bathurst Street, in the West Queen West neighbourhood. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2.

The building on the property at 667 King Street West is known as the Wheatsheaf Tavern and contains a 2½-storey former inn and tavern on a rectangular plan that is fashioned in Second Empire style details. A Pre-Confederation building that was constructed in 1849, the property is a rare surviving example of an early-19th century hotel and bar that has been in operation at the same location for over 150 years. The Wheatsheaf Tavern continues to be the oldest bar in Toronto and serves as a neighbourhood landmark.

Staff have determined that the property at 667 King Street West has cultural heritage value and meets 6 of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

The property was listed on the City's Heritage Register on June 20, 1973.

The Wheatsheaf Tavern has been identified as a candidate for designation through the City's implementation of Bill 23 amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act and the strategy for Listed Properties that must be removed from the Register by January 1, 2027.

At its meeting on January 31, 2025 the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB27.2 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (January 20, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

This report recommends that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 667 King Street West (including an active entrance at 92 Bathurst Street) under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act for its cultural heritage value according to the Statement of Significance and description of heritage attributes found in Attachment 1.

The subject property at 667 King Street West is located at the southwest corner of King Street West and Bathurst Street, in the West Queen West neighbourhood. A location map and current photograph of the heritage property are found in Attachment 2.

The building on the property at 667 King Street West is known as the Wheatsheaf Tavern and contains a 2½-storey former inn and tavern on a rectangular plan that is fashioned in Second Empire style details. A Pre-Confederation building that was constructed in 1849, the property is a rare surviving example of an early-19th century hotel and bar that has been in operation at the same location for over 150-years. The Wheatsheaf Tavern continues to be the oldest bar in Toronto and serves as a neighbourhood landmark.

Staff have determined that the property at 667 King Street West has cultural heritage value and meets 6 of the Ontario Regulation 9/06 criteria prescribed for municipal designation under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act. A property may be designated under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, if it meets two or more of the nine criteria.

The property was listed on the City's Heritage Register on June 20, 1973.

The Wheatsheaf tavern has been identified as a candidate for designation through the City's implementation of Bill 23 amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act and the strategy for Listed Properties that must be removed from the Register by January 1, 2027.