10 Toronto Street - Toronto’s Seventh Post Office

As consultants to Karmic Holdings Inc., Goldsmith Borgal & Company Architects, with Roth Knibb Architects Inc., undertook a program of exterior restoration and interior renovations to Toronto’s Seventh Post Office – 10 Toronto Street. Designed by the well-known Toronto architects, Cumberland and Storm in 1852, the building has throughout its life been variously adapted and altered. Today it stands as a well-preserved landmark on an architecturally unique streetscape, and a key building in Toronto’s history. Following its use as a Post Office, the building became the office of Internal Revenue (in 1873); the Bank of Canada (in 1937); the headquarters of the Argus Corporation (in 1959); and, the head office of Hollinger International (in 1979).

Upon its acquisition by new owners in 2006 the building required a complete interior redesign due to the maze of rooms and corridors that had accumulated over the years. Using the architectural details of the neoclassical boardroom as the starting point, a clear central axis, with illuminating light well, was introduced into the building. The boardroom, although not original to the 1850s building, was preserved due to its significance in Canadian business history.

Along with the elegant renovated interior, the exterior of the building was carefully restored. The Ohio limestone features on the front facade, such as the four fluted Ionic columns, the corner pilasters and the British Coat of Arms on the parapet were repointed, and damaged stone was repaired using Dutchman techniques. The deterioration and delamination of the stuccoed brick on the side and rear facades were addressed.

GBCA is especially proud of the innovative sustainable technologies that were incorporated into the adaptive reuse project. This included the construction of a geothermal field consisting of sixteen 400-foot deep boreholes for heating and cooling. State-of-the-art radiant cooling panels were installed at the ceilings.