In the 34 years between the passing of the Heritage Act and the present day,
in negotiating redevelopment proposals, the City was able to achieve the
retention of parts of the fronts of some buildings—a practice not to be
applauded. It reached its height in 1987 when 5 such deals were negotiated.
Join us for a tour of some of these remnants.

A Toronto Architectural Conservancy free presentation.

An interesting article on the topic of facade retention by TAC member
Beth Bohnert on which she reports on a dry-run of this tour
may be found on the Torontoist website.


* * *

Facade Fakeout: an article in Now Magazine (Nov. 29th 2007) based on
the TAC tour.

Now Magazine Letters to the Editor responding to the Facade Fakeout article...

City Hall's grand facade Dec. 13th 2007
RE Facade fakeout (NOW, November 29-December 5). Thank you for showing and discussing eight (out of at least 50) examples of City Hall's "progressive" approach to architectural preservation. Clearly, here's another sorry instance of knowing the price of everything and the value of nothing. Historical bricks and mortar? What a drag. Better to have something to suit our stunted attention span: virtual architecture. Just imagine where and what it used to be. Context need not apply.

Martin Ahermaa
Toronto

Preservation persuasion (Dec 20th, 2007)
The Photo Essay Facade Fakeout (NOW, November 29-December 5) is most welcome and long overdue. Those of us who care about architectural history are appalled by this ever-growing trend. But one has to ask those who espouse preservation: do they not understand the value of historic buildings that they should be satisfied with this tokenism? I ask preservationists to show some backbone when cooperating with developers who perpetrate these frauds. I also challenge architects to show some respect for their own profession and stop desecrating the work of their illustrious forebears.

Mary Anne Neville
Toronto

Danforth demolition Dec. 27th 2007
RE Facade Fakeout (NOW, November 29-December 5). Unfortunately, NOW has shown little interest in the destruction of the Danforth. Just so your readers know, three large commercial properties will be destroyed in the name of Shoppers Drug Mart, resulting in the destruction of six to 10 smaller businesses. On the upside, toilet paper will be 10 cents cheaper!

Greg Stock
Toronto

Toronto Architectural Conservancy