Revitalizing Heritage: The College Park Renovation and Towers in Toronto

The iconic College Park building in Toronto, originally designed by Ross and Macdonald in the 1920s, is set for a remarkable transformation that honors its architectural heritage while introducing modern skyscrapers. This project, developed by GWL Realty Advisors (GWLRA), involves a comprehensive restoration of the historic Art Deco structure paired with the addition of three new residential towers designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects (HPA). With ERA Architects leading the renovation of the existing building and Public Work handling the landscape design, the intervention aims to respect the building’s “architectural DNA” by preserving and completing original design intentions that date back almost a century.

Once a department store for Eaton’s and later a courthouse, College Park is a cherished landmark that connects directly to Toronto’s subway system. Unlike common facadism practices that preserve only a building’s exterior, this project proposes a full interior restoration, particularly focusing on significant spaces like the interior arcade and seventh-floor event area. The new towers will rise above the restored podium, offering over two thousand new housing units and a hotel, designed to visually and conceptually reference the Art Deco legacy. This fusion of restoration and contemporary architecture reflects a broader urban vision of sustainable growth, heritage conservation, and innovative city living.

Historical Context and Project Background

College Park’s original design dates to the early 1920s and was intended to become an Art Deco skyscraper inspired by New York’s Rockefeller Center. However, the Great Depression halted these ambitions. The current project intends to fulfill and expand that vision, completing the original podium and adding three towers that complement the historic building’s style.

Key Project Components

Component	Description	Architectural Firm
Restoration of Art Deco Building	Full interior and exterior renovation preserving Tyndall stone facade and significant spaces	ERA Architects
New Residential Towers	Three skyscrapers with 2,334 housing units and a hotel, designed with Art Deco references	Hariri Pontarini Architects (HPA)
Landscape and Public Spaces	Plaza with trees, topographic landscaping, rooftop gardens, and subway passage connection	Public Work

Design Logic and Architectural Approach

The design strategy emphasizes a respectful dialogue between the restored heritage building and the new towers. HPA crafted the skyscrapers with varied setbacks and distinct faceted windows, evoking the geometric articulation typical of Art Deco. The metallic mullions and bulkheads reference the original building’s style, creating a cohesive visual relationship. The towers are designed to appear as a singular development when viewed from afar, upholding the idea that the entire complex was conceived as one unified architectural statement.

The restoration led by ERA Architects goes beyond surface treatment by carefully renewing the interior arcade and event spaces, bringing the historic building’s original grandeur back to life. The intervention prioritizes preserving original materials such as Tyndall stone, while upgrading structural and mechanical systems to modern standards.

Material Use and Contextual Integration

The project showcases a sensitive use of materials, preserving the iconic Tyndall stone cladding and Art Deco detailing on the historic podium. The new towers utilize contemporary glass and metal elements designed to complement rather than overpower the existing structure. Public Work’s landscaping integrates greenery through rooftop gardens and a plaza that connects the building to the city’s subway, enhancing urban connectivity and outdoor experience.

Architectural Analysis

This project reflects a thoughtful architectural logic balancing preservation and innovation. The full restoration counters the prevalent facadism trend, seeking to revive the building’s complete form and interiors. By completing the originally planned podium and adding towers that visually resonate with Art Deco motifs, the design respects the building’s architectural DNA while advancing a modern urban typology.

Material choices emphasize harmony between old and new: the historic Tyndall stone anchors the building in its past, while glass facades of the towers introduce transparency and lightness. The spatial composition integrates an atrium and a plaza that serve as transitional public spaces connecting the building to the subway and surrounding city fabric. The layered approach encourages both preservation of heritage and dynamic urban growth.

Project Importance

The College Park renovation exemplifies how architects can creatively approach heritage conservation within dense urban environments. It teaches the value of embracing a building’s original design intent while adapting it for contemporary use, challenging the tendency toward superficial preservation. This project expands architectural typologies by merging historic podiums with new vertical developments, a model increasingly relevant for growing cities balancing history with housing demands.

In the context of sustainable architecture and urban planning, the project demonstrates the potential for adaptive reuse and vertical expansion to work together in innovative ways. By integrating public spaces and improving connectivity, it also contributes to a more livable and socially engaging urban environment. The thoughtful blend of restoration and new construction highlights a future direction for respecting architectural heritage while addressing modern needs.

✦ ArchUp Editorial Insight

The College Park project visually balances historic textures like Tyndall stone and Art Deco geometry with modern glass and metallic elements. Its spatial composition thoughtfully links restored interiors to new towers and outdoor plazas. Yet, one might question whether this harmony risks diluting the original heritage identity or constrains architectural innovation by adhering closely to past motifs. This reflective tension underscores the challenge of combining conservation with growth. Nonetheless, the project sets a valuable precedent for sustainable urban regeneration that respects cultural narratives while fostering contemporary city life.

Conclusion

The renovation and expansion of Toronto’s College Park is a notable example of how architecture can honor history while embracing modernity. The full restoration of the iconic Art Deco building alongside the carefully designed residential towers illustrates a sophisticated understanding of architectural continuity and innovation. This project avoids the pitfalls of facadism by restoring both exterior and interior elements, maintaining the integrity of the original design while fulfilling long-held unrealized ambitions.

By integrating new towers that echo Art Deco principles and introducing landscaped public spaces connected to the subway, the development creates a cohesive urban complex that revitalizes a historic site and enhances the city’s residential offerings. It challenges architects to rethink heritage projects as opportunities for creative growth rather than mere preservation. Ultimately, College Park contributes to a broader architectural discourse on sustainability, adaptive reuse, and the evolving nature of urban typologies, making it highly relevant in today’s rapidly changing city environments.

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