104 John Street - former Richard West House

GBCA is heritage consultant for the Pinnacle on Adelaide project now under construction. This mixed-use development by Pinnacle International, comprised of a 42-storey tower and related mid-rise buildings as designed by Harari Pontarini Architects, includes a historic two-storey brick building, located at the corner of Adelaide Street and John Street. To see the development scheme, see: http://hariripontarini.com/projects/residential/adelaide-joh

The heritage building, known as the Richard West house, was once part of a row of Georgian-style residential buildings—a building type that was common in this area then known as “New Toronto.” Dating to c1870, the building, until recently used as a restaurant, is among a select few nineteenth century structures that continue to dot the streetscape in this section of downtown. Over the years the building was renovated in order to accommodate the modern needs, resulting in the removal of all original interior architectural features and additions on the rear. However, the original exterior walls and roof form remained.

With the entire 6-acre block, in the heart of Toronto’s “Entertainment District,” bounded by John Street, Adelaide Street, Widmer Street and King Street, undergoing a massive transformation, beginning with the new TIFF Bell Lightbox, the only way to preserve the modest heritage building was to relocate it elsewhere on the large development site.

The building was moved in August 2011 to a temporary location across the street from the development. Following completion of the new tower, the heritage building will be repositioned back on the west side of John Street, south of its original site, at which time the existing brick walls and side-gable roof will be restored.

To read more about the move, see: http://www.thegridto.com/city/local-news/moving-house—literally/

And to watch it happen, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fabkNa2a44&context=C36d0504ADOEgsToPDskJid1kOjvz_aYlY_16D-oYN