Worst Losses
Over the past 30 years, Canada has lost 23% of its historic building stock in urban areas and 21% in rural areas. This rate of destruction is disturbing both in terms of lost heritage and increased environmental waste. The following represent only a small number of buildings and structures that have disappeared from the Canadian landscape.
2011 Worst Losses List
Edison (formerly Empress) Hotel, Toronto, Ont.—LOSS OF LANDMARK A BURNING ISSUE
Built in 1888, the dignified red brick building with its landmark tower overlooking the corner of Yonge and Gould streets was destroyed by an arsonist’s fire last February. It was included on the City of Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties in 1974, and was designated last year under the Ontario Heritage Act in response to a demolition application. It joins a long list of heritage buildings lost due to neglect, the lack of resources to enforce property standards bylaws and owners who considered it an obstacle to profitability.
Pantages Theatre, Vancouver, B.C.—CURTAINS FOR CITY’S OLDEST VAUDEVILLE THEATRE
Last April, Vancouver’s oldest vaudeville theatre and movie house was torn down. The landmark building on East Hastings and Main streets was the oldest remaining example of the renowned Pantages theatre chain. Vacant since 1994, the decorative and largely intact interior was suffering from water infiltration in a classic case of “demolition by neglect,” despite exhaustive efforts by several groups to revive it. It was doomed by a number of political, social and economic forces preventing its salvage.
Methodist Episcopal Picton Church, Picton, Ont – BULLDOZED BY NELECT FROM CITY COUNCIL
The 135-year-old landmark known as the “Brick Church” was not given a fighting chance last fall when a demolition permit was quickly issued. The owners said they attempted to sell it to someone who could convert the space for another use, but without success. As a shocked community looked on, the historic church was razed and a piece of Prince Edward County’s history was lost. Members of Council in favour of giving 30 days for interested parties to apply for a heritage designation were outvoted before Council issued the demolition permit. The church’s demise acted as a catalyst for change and for the first time, heritage became a municipal election issue.
