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Photo gallery: “An act of butchery”

WHAT “An act of butchery.” That’s how Architectural Conservancy of Ontario president Richard Longley described the dismantling of the 1901 Stollerys Building on the southwest corner of Yonge and Bloor. 

WHEN Work crews were dispatched by the owner last weekend (without the necessary permits to block the sidewalks with heavy equipment, it turns out) shortly after the city issued permission for the demolition on January 16. Only three days earlier, local councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam put forward a motion at Toronto and East York community council to “evaluate” the building for heritage designation. To add insult to injury: the site was also part of the Historic Yonge Street Heritage Conservation District Study, the first phase of which is nearing completion. 

WHY Was it consensual? Was it an extreme case of demolition by neglect? Could it have been prevented? These are all questions Longley put to the city. No answers yet. Unfortunately, it’s all perfectly legal. The Ontario Building Code permits demolition of commercial properties without giving notice to the public or local councillor. Notice is a requirement for residential properties. 

A fine way, says Longley, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Ontario Heritage Act.

news@nowtoronto.com | @nowtoronto

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