|  Neighbourhood News |
| | |
|
Maclean House receives heritage designation
With the help of the Casa Loma Residents Association, the John B. Maclean House at 7 Austin Terrace will be officially added to Toronto’s inventory of Heritage properties. Following a unanimous vote at City Council, the developer’s plans to replace the 1910 Georgian Revival home designed by Union Station architect John Lyle with eight town houses and a rental building were halted. Last December, the house’s century-old sash window frames, door portal and other architectural features were ripped off the house by contractors, mobilizing the community to stop what they believe was a determined effort by the developer to avoid the heritage designation process.
I am so pleased that City Council made the right decision and stated its intention to designate Maclean House, following a unanimous recommendation by the Toronto Preservation Board. This would not have been possible without the great efforts of the local community group, the Casa Loma Residents Association, to preserve their neighbourhood's and this city's history. I would also like to thank local MPP Dr. Eric Hoskins for his support. This property is an important part of our local history and is a gem that all Torontonians can be proud of.
Background:
Maclean House (7 Austin Terrace) is located in the Casa Loma neighbourhood of Ward 21. The property has a strong pedigree with a renowned architect, John Lyle, and original owner John Maclean, founder of Maclean's Magazine. In mid December 2009, aware that Heritage Preservation Services (HPS) had undertaken a review of the property, the owner began destroying architectural features on the building that many believed held heritage value.
In an effort to stop the destruction in the interim between the HPS's review and City Council's consideration of the matter, the City asked for and was granted a "stop order" from the Provincial Ministry of Culture to prevent further alterations/demolitions on this property for a period of 60 days. Despite the destruction of some of the property's features, HPS recommended a heritage designation of the property in its report to the January 21, 2010, meeting of the Toronto Preservation Board.
In a unanimous decision, the TPB recommended to City Council to designate the property. At its meeting on January 26, 2010, City Council voted to state its intention to designate Maclean House, which can be objected to within 30 days. During the objection period and before the final decision by City Council, the property is protected under the Ontario Heritage Act and cannot be altered or demolished.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|