Item - 2025.TE24.21

The Toronto and East York Community Council: 

1. Deferred consideration of the Item until the September 18, 2025 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council.

This report recommends that City Council approve alterations under Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act for the Part IV designated heritage property at 149 College Street. This is in connection with an application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit a 60-storey mixed-use building that integrates the existing 6-storey heritage property known as the Stewart Building. The report also seeks approval to enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement to ensure the long-term conservation of this significant heritage resource.

The site was designated in 1978 under the Ontario Heritage Act, on architectural and historic grounds, by City of Toronto By-law 508-1978. The designation identifies the building, which was designed by E.J. Lennox, as "a significant work in the Romanesque Revival style, by [an] important Toronto architect." The designation identifies "large arched windows, prominent wall dormers, a fine arched entrance portico and a distinctive use of stone and brick" as noteworthy features.

A heritage permit application was submitted that integrates the retained building, including the College Street north façade, the east façade and a partial east and south façade into a base building with a 60-storey building component above. The new construction incorporates stepbacks above the retained heritage building. The transition in height between the heritage building and the tower will be moderated by a glazed reveal. A new landscape open area will be included at the northeast corner of the site. Staff are of the opinion that the proposal conserves the cultural heritage values, attributes and character of the heritage property.

At its meeting on June 30, 2025 the Toronto Preservation Board considered Item PB33.5 and made recommendations to City Council.

Summary from the report (June 13, 2025) from the Senior Manager, Heritage Planning, Urban Design, City Planning:

 
This report recommends that City Council approve alterations under Section 33 of the Ontario Heritage Act for the Part IV designated heritage property at 149 College Street. This is in connection with an application to amend the Official Plan and Zoning By-law to permit a 60-storey mixed-use building that integrates the existing 6-storey heritage property known as the Stewart Building. The report also seeks approval to enter into a Heritage Easement Agreement to ensure the long-term conservation of this significant heritage resource. 

The site was designated in 1978 under the Ontario Heritage Act, on architectural and historic grounds, by City of Toronto By-law 508-1978. The designation identifies the building, which was designed by E.J. Lennox, as "a significant work in the Romanesque Revival style, by [an] important Toronto architect." The designation identifies "large arched windows, prominent wall dormers, a fine arched entrance portico and a distinctive use of stone and brick" as noteworthy features.

A heritage permit application was submitted that integrates the retained building, including the College Street north façade, the east façade and a partial east and south façade into a base building with a 60-storey building component above. The new construction incorporates stepbacks above the retained heritage building. The transition in height between the heritage building and the tower will be moderated by a glazed reveal. A new landscape open area will be included at the northeast corner of the site. Staff are of the opinion that the proposal conserves the cultural heritage values, attributes and character of the heritage property.