85 Richmond Street West

Heritage Rehabilitation

Built in 1923, the Federal Building at 85 Richmond St. W. is one of Toronto’s few remaining first-generation “skyscrapers.” Conservation work on 85 Richmond Street West included investigations into the heritage elements to determine existing conditions and appropriate conservation strategies for masonry and metals. The project rehabilitated the building, allowing for its continued use as an office. 

The scope of the project included:

—Rehabilitation of the 303-foot-long Beaux Arts pressed-metal cornice at the roof level (original removed in the early 1950s)

—Rehabilitation of original fenestration and spandrel patterning to accentuate the historical proportional division of the façade

—Masonry and metals conservation of the exterior building envelope and heritage lobby

—Sensitive insertion of a clearly distinguishable, subordinate and visually compatible steel and glass addition within the original lightwell of the Chicago School U-shaped plan

Project Date of Completion: July 12, 2020