07-13-11
“Restoring a Historic House”
GlobalTV News reports:
07-13-11
“New owners plan facelift for Maclean House”
Tamara Baluja writes in the Globe & Mail on July 7th, 2011:
Maclean House, a Toronto heritage building, may just have found its saviour.
01-28-10
“City opens door to save 1910 Casa Loma home”
On January 27th, Paul Moloney and Denise Balkissoon from The Toronto Star write:
Although its century-old sash window frames have already been ripped out, the John B. Maclean house will be added to Toronto’s inventory of heritage properties, city council decided Tuesday.
The unanimous vote is a move to force talks with the developer, who wants to tear down the 1910 Georgian Revival home and build eight townhouses and a rental building.
Designed by architect John Lyle, who was also behind Union Station and the Royal Alexandra Theatre, the building was already on a list of potential heritage properties when it was bought for $2.3 million in October 2008.
Two permit applications by owner 1626829 Ontario Ltd. to demolish it and rebuild were turned down.
01-28-10
“Toronto’s Maclean House designated a heritage building”
On January 26, Kenyon Wallace from the National Post writes:
Maclean House, a much-beloved Toronto landmark in the Casa Loma neighbourhood, will retain most of its historical architectural features after city council voted today to assign the property a heritage designation.
“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,” said Councillor Joe Mihevc (Ward 21 – St. Paul’s West). “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.”
01-28-10
City of Toronto Council to Vote on the Future of Historic McClean House
Toronto City Council will vote this week on the unanimous recommendation from the Toronto Preservation Board to designate John B. Maclean House a historic site.
The province of Ontario issued a stop order in December 2009 to prevent a developer from further altering or damaging the 100-year old house while the City evaluates its cultural and historic significance. The developer began gutting the property while the City was conducting its review, specifically targeting important architectural details such as windows, doors and window trim…
01-17-10
Intention to Designate under the Ontario Heritage Act
A report from the Toronto Heritage Preservation Services to the Toronto Preservation Board recommending Designation under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
01-05-10
Maclean house “renovated”
“Here and Now”, on CBC Radio Toronto, discusses the renovations:
John Lyle might well be spinning in his grave today, if he knew what was happening at MacLean House this week.
Lyle was one of the city’s great architects of the early 1900s. He designed Union Station and the Royal Alex theatre. Also among his creations was 7 Austin Terrace, near Castle Loma.
It’s better known as MacLean House today, and it’s closing in on its 100th birthday.
But some local residents are worried it might never see the century mark.
Earlier this week, the owner began altering the building’s unique architectural features.And some are worried that’s happening so the building can’t be designated a heritage site.
That designation would seriously limit any renovation work, or demolition that could be done.
Joining Here and Now to talk more about the MacLean House controversy was Councillor Joe Mihevc. He represents that neighborhood on city council.
12-22-09
“This is where the Ministry can be so effective and important”
An email to the Minister of Heritage this morning from the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario president:
On behalf of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario I want to thank the Minister for her prompt and, we hope effective action in saving 7 Austin Terrace. There are many such houses and buildings in Ontario that fall through the cracks and are lost, and most don’t have such active and effective citizens fighting to save them.
This is where the Ministry can be so effective and important. I look forward to working with you to protect Ontario’s heritage and to ensure that this kind of abuse doesn’t happen again.
Congratulations and thank you.
Regards,
Lloyd Alter B.Arch OAA
President, Architectural Conservancy of OntarioIncorporated in 1933 to help communities save buildings and structures of architectural merit and places of natural beauty or interest.
12-22-09
Razing of Maclean home stopped
Anna Mehler Paperny writes in The Globe and Mail on December 22nd:
Razing of Maclean home stopped
After a weekend of urgent wrangling, the province issued a stop-work order on a possible heritage building in danger of being demolished.
Ontario’s Culture Ministry announced the last-minute order to stop construction work on 7 Austin Terrace late yesterday afternoon. Built in 1922 by notable architect John Lyle, the now-vacant structure was the home of John Maclean, founder of Maclean’s Magazine. A numbered company planned to build townhouses on the site.
“Last week they took an axe to the building and started to demolish various pieces that were clearly of heritage value,” Councillor Joe Mihevc said. The city took the matter up with MPP Eric Hoskins and Culture Minister Aileen Carroll to obtain the stop-work order. Now the city’s heritage staff has until the end of January to determine whether the site should have a heritage designation, a decision that will be finalized in council. The developer can appeal to the province.
12-22-09
Stop-work order for century home
Brendan Kennedy writes in the Toronto Star on December 22nd:
Stop-work order for century home
One week after historic features hacked away, province gives city time to assess its heritage value
The Ontario government has stepped in to protect the home of Maclean’s magazine’s founder after the property’s owner was accused of attempting to destroy its architecturally significant elements to avoid heritage designation.
Provincial Culture Minister Aileen Carroll issued a stop-work order Monday to “prevent further alterations or damage” to 7 Austin Terrace, in the Casa Loma neighbourhood.
The house, which dates to 1922, according to the ministry, was designed by John Lyle – the architect behind Union Station and the Royal Alexandra Theatre – and was built for John Bayne Maclean, founder of Maclean’s.
12-22-09
Ontario issues stop order
Ontario issues stop order to prevent further alterations or damage to century home
McGuinty Government to Assess Potential Heritage Value
Minister of Culture, Aileen Carroll, today issued a stop order to prevent further alterations or damage to 7 Austin Terrace, in Toronto.
The stop order gives the Province time to assess the building’s potential cultural heritage significance while ensuring the building is not further altered or damaged.
Mayor Miller of The City of Toronto requested that the Minister intervene after the property owner removed numerous windows and architectural elements.
Built by notable architect John Lyle and the former home of John Maclean, founder of Maclean’s magazine, the home dates back to 1922 and is currently vacant.
The Ontario Heritage Act gives the Province and the City powers to protect buildings that may be of cultural heritage significance.
QUOTES
“This stop order prohibits further destruction of the building and allows the Province to assess its potential heritage significance. I want to ensure the building stays intact while the Province and the City of Toronto each considers the matter.”
— Aileen Carroll, Minister of Culture
“This is an important step and I applaud Minister Carroll for her intervention. Residents have been asking for action and this order allows time for assessment and helps protect a building that the community feels strongly about preserving.”
— Eric Hoskins, MPP St Paul’s
QUICK FACTS
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- The Minister of Culture may issue a stop order for any property to prevent alteration, damage, demolition or removal of any building or structure, if the Minister is of the opinion that the property:
- may be of provincial cultural heritage significance, and
- is likely to be altered or damaged or a building on the property demolished or removed.
- A stop order prevents alteration or demolition for up to 60 days pending assessment of provincial significance and which procedures, if any, should be undertaken to conserve the property.
LEARN MORE
Learn more about the heritage conservation in Ontario.
Find out more about Ontario Heritage Act.
Sarah Petrevan, Minister’s Office, (416) 325-1676
Lisa Robart, Communications Branch, (416) 212-3928
http://www.ontario.ca/culture-news
12-22-09
“I am pleased to pass on some wonderful news…”
Counciler Joe Mihevc writes:
I am pleased to pass on some wonderful news from the Minister of Culture of the Province of Ontario. Minister Aileen Carroll has placed a Stop Order on 7 Austin Terrace to allow for a thorough heritage review of the property by the city and the province. The attachment is the press release announcing the order. It is also now posted on the fence of the property. The Minister was asked to put a Stop Order on the property by Mayor Miller late last week.
Residents may have seen in the media or passed by 7 Austin Terrace last week to witness a crew of workers destroying heritage elements of a building that was built by John Lyle (of Union Station and Royal Alex fame), and that housed John MacLean (the founding publisher of MacLean’s magazine).
I know that I speak on behalf of the residents of the entire Casa Loma Community and indeed the broader Toronto community that values heritage in thanking Eric Hoskins our new MPP for St Paul’s for his thoughtful work with the Ministry of Culture on the issue over the weekend.
The City, through its Heritage Services Department, will use the time to undertake its analysis and research and will then make a recommendation to City Council by the end of January.
This decision is important because it signals to the entire development community that heritage values cannot be short circuited for the sake of development expediency.
A special thanks goes to the Casa Loma Residents Association for their passionate and principled advocacy. It once again shows how true it is that a small group of residents can do great things inn their community.
More work is still to be done; today is however an important step on the road to a fair process and a result that will honour our story as Torontonians.
Joe Mihevc
12-20-09
John Lyle/Maclean House Under Siege
“Historic Home Hacked”
See the December 16th Global News coverage of workers attacking 7 Austin Terrace.
12-20-09
“The House Maclean’s Built”
Residents battle a developer over the fate of J.B. Maclean’s home
by Tom Henheffer on Thursday, December 17, 2009
The neighbours are furious, but their protests can barely be heard over the sound of contractors shattering glass and pummelling concrete at 7 Austin Terrace, the former home of Lt.-Col. J.B. Maclean, the founder of Maclean’s magazine. By the time they’re done, gone will be some of the century-old Toronto home’s most distinctive architectural features—windows, wood frames, columns, and the portico are already mostly destroyed.
12-20-09
“Toothless laws led to shameful destruction”
Christopher Hume writes in The Toronto Star:
Developers don’t get a lot of respect in this town. Even when they’re trying to do their best, many view them as little more than dressed-up vandals.
This week, we found out why.
Thanks to an unprecedented display of wanton destruction by John Todd, president of 1626829 Ontario Ltd., a historic Toronto house has been defaced beyond recognition.
Designed by architect John Lyle, he of Union Station and the Royal Alexandra Theatre, the century-old residential building at 7 Austin Terrace was reduced to a shell Tuesday as a small crowd watched in disbelief.
Todd, who bought the property in 2008, wants to tear it down to make way for a row of townhouses.
12-20-09
“Anger as historic home’s features hacked away”
Stephen Smysnuik writes about the Maclean House:
Contract workers smashed out windows with hammers and crowbars while about 10 dismayed residents watched from behind the home’s old iron gates and a newly installed chain-link fence.
There were some gasps and yelps from the spectators.
“Oh my God, how can they do this?” one of them muttered.
Dyan Kirshenbaum, vice-president of the Casa Loma Residents Association, yelled out: “I hope you’re prepared to pay for the damage!”
But they watched helplessly as the workers at 7 Austin Terrace demolished the architectural elements they say makes it worthy of consideration for historical preservation.
12-20-09
“Voice their outrage”
An article from Peter Power at the Globe and Mail:
12-20-09
“Architect John Lyle left legacy of style”
Christopher Hume writes in The Toronto Star on May 4, 2009:
Had the Group of Seven been made up of architects, not artists, John Lyle would have been a member.
Lyle, who died in 1945, practised at a time when cultural nationalism was alive and well in the Great White North. He and his cohorts took as their self-imposed mission the creation of aCanadian architecture, one that reflected the country, its values, history and culture.
These days, such issues barely rate a second yawn – which is probably just as well – but in the 1920s and ’30s, before the American onslaught was complete, people cared passionately about the arts as a force for nationalism.
In his new book, A Progressive Traditionalist: John M. Lyle, Architect, author, photographer and designer Glenn McArthur documents the career of the man who designed more than his fair share of landmarks across Canada. Locally, he is best known for Union Station, the Royal Alex, Runnymede Public Library and the former bank on the southwest corner of Yonge and Gerrard, now a pub.
12-20-09
A letter from author Glenn McArthur
To Whom It May Concern
RE: 7 Austin Terrace, Toronto
This residence was designed for Col. J.B. MacLean in 1910 by John M. Lyle who was one of the pre-eminent architects of the first half of the twentieth century in Canada. Lyle is perhaps best known for championing an authentic regional consciousness in building design, and attempting to pave the way for a uniquely Canadian architecture.
12-20-09
Community Press Conference and Rally
Joe Mihevc, City Councillor and Author Glen McArthur from Lloyd Alter on Vimeo.
From a recent article from The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario:
Catherine Nasmith talked about Demolition by Neglect; this morning I saw what I am going to call Demolition by the Pound. You don’t need a demolition permit to take out windows, remove non-structural trim, eaves, soffits and details, so if you are a developer and you know that the City is looking at listing your house, (it was designed by John Lyle who did Union Station) you go for it; pretty soon there is not much of value left. Joe Mihevc and the Casa Loma Ratepayers can jump up and down, there is nothing they can do.
This is not an isolated case. All over the city, people are destroying heritage buildings and districts with careless “renovations”, ruining the character of their homes and in fact reducing their property values by tearing out important historic elements like windows. They don’t make them like John Lyle used to; the City should have controls on this kind of thing. Oh, I forgot, they do. They just don’t use them.
It is a tragedy that this happened, and it is a scandal that the City cannot control it. It is demolition by the pound. It should require a permit.
12-20-09
“Action on 7 Austin Terrace”
Charles Hazell, Principal, Taylor Hazell Architects Ltd. writes:
I am writing in support of the actions taken by those seeking to halt the destruction of the MacLean House. As an architect working on the restoration of Casa Loma since 1997 I have come to appreciate this historic district and the contribution it makes to our City. Retaining buildings such as John Lyles MacLean House is essential to this effort. The loss of buildings that are architectural landmarks and cultural acheivements goes against our the most fundamental city building principles. For this reason I find the most recent and wilful damage done to this heritage structure personally offensive and of intense concern.
12-20-09
“Support of Preservation of Austin Terrace”
Hello= I would like to write in support of the preservation in all aspects of Austin Terrace!
Our national heritage is being erroded by GREEDY developers= THIS HAS GOT TO STOP.
Please PRESERVE our Built Heritage and stop the developer from altering this structure!!!
Susan Stock
Shaftesbury Avenue resident
12-20-09
“Why is Toronto so slow in designating its heritage buildings?”
Dear Ms Hanson:
I’d like to register my dismay and anger at what has happened to 7 Austin
Terrace.Why is Toronto so slow in designating its heritage buildings?
12-19-09
Community History Project
A letter from Jane Beecroft, President of the Community History Project:
12-19-09
“I approve of preserving the architectural heritage”
I have a house on Hilton Ave facing the school and when I walk downtown I walk passsed the Mcclean House. It has character and history that fit in the neighborhood. How can a historical house simply be torn down? I am very much interested in preserving what Toronto has to offer especially in my own neighbourhood, Keep the face intact at the least and replace with heritage details.Diane Pollack
Hilton Avenue resident
The Casa Loma Residents Association ("CLRA") is a volunteer organization of residents living in the Casa Loma area of Toronto committed to strengthening and preserving the distinctive character, heritage and quality of life in the Toronto neighbourhood bounded by Bathurst to Spadina and St. Clair to Davenport.
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