© GBCA 2024
About GBCA
We are a professional heritage architecture firm based in Toronto
Meet The Team
GBCA (Goldsmith Borgal & Company Ltd. Architects) provides a full range of architectural services to clients for a variety of built projects including adaptive reuse, restoration, and rehabilitation. Working as prime consultant or as part of a larger team, GBCA is equipped to handle a variety of assignments. At GBCA, we bring together the skills, sensitivity, specialized knowledge and commitment to undertake technically demanding work that not only conserves our built and cultural heritage but also creates contemporary environments that support our clients’ needs and aspirations.
In addition to our design and built work, GBCA is one of the leading heritage firms providing consultancy services for projects across the country. Services include the preparation of heritage impact assessments, conservation reports, master plans and feasibility studies, as-found documentation, and construction drawings. Expertise in building science and building envelope is invaluable for sustainable developments.
Led by the Senior Principal of the firm, Christopher Borgal, the principals and production team bring to the firm distinctive specialties in the heritage, conservation and design field. Supported by our team of architectural and administration staff, we are committed to responding to the needs of our clients energetically and proactively. Years of successful, award-winning projects and satisfied clients are a testament to our dedicated staff.
National Historic Sites of Canada
GBCA is proud to have provided architectural services to a long list of properties that are recognized by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada. Each national historic site is a distinct and vibrant symbol of Canadian identity. They are also living history and require protection.
Our heritage expertise has assisted with the preservation of the following important buildings and sites:
Annesley Hall, Toronto, Ontario
Camp 30/Former Bowmanville Boys Training School, Bowmanville, Ontario
Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario
Empress Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia
Fort York, Toronto, Ontario
Fulford Place, Brockville, Ontario
Guelph City Hall, Guelph, Ontario
Homer Watson House, Kitchener, Ontario
Massey Music Hall, Toronto, Ontario
Old Toronto Post Office, Toronto, Ontario
Parliament Buildings of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario
Royal Alexandra Theatre, Toronto, Ontario
Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto, Ontario
St. George’s Hall (Arts and Letters Club), Toronto, Ontario
Union Station, Toronto, Ontario
Honours & Awards
International Architecture Award Honorable Mention
Chicago Athenaeum/European Centre for Architecture
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
2023
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Award of Excellence
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Award of Merit: Materials, Craftsmanship and Construction
Mackenzie Hall – Windsor, ON
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario
Special Jury Award
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
Heritage Toronto
Built Heritage: Crafts and Trades
Massey Music Hall – Toronto, ON
Built Heritage Award
City of Windsor
Mackenzie Hall – Windsor, ON
2022
Toronto Urban Design Award
Award of Excellence
Montcrest School, Broadview Avenue – Toronto, ON
Peggy Kurtin Award for Excellence in Restoration
Cabbagetown Preservation Association
The Winchester Hotel, 531 Parliament Street – Toronto, ON
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Award of Excellence for Conservation
John Muir Branch – Windsor Public Library – Windsor, ON
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals
Award of Merit
Silver Dollar Room – Toronto, ON
2021
Built Heritage Award
City of Windsor
Willistead Manor Restoration – Windsor, ON
2020
National Award
Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Cultural Heritage Landscapes Inventory for the City of Kitchener (with Landplan Collaborative Ltd.) – Kitchener, ON
2016
Ecclesiastical Insurance Cornerstone Award
Heritage Canada
Market Street Development – Toronto, ON
Heritage Toronto
Honourable Mention
Artscape Youngplace Shaw Street – Toronto, ON
Toronto Urban Design Award
Market Street Development – Toronto, ON
2015
Ontario Masonry Design Award
Bay Adelaide Centre – Toronto, ON
Heritage Toronto – Award of Excellence
Market Street Redevelopment – Toronto, ON
2014
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals – Award of Merit for Rehabilitation
Canadian Northern Railway Locomotive Shop – Toronto, ON
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals – Award of Merit for Rehabilitation
James Cooper Mansion – Toronto, ON
Brampton Urban Design Awards – Award of Excellence
Peel Region Art Gallery, Museum + Archives (PAMA) – Brampton, ON
Brampton Urban Design Awards – Best Central Area Project
Peel Region Art Gallery, Museum + Archives (PAMA) – Brampton, ON
Brampton Urban Design Awards – People’s Choice Award
Peel Region Art Gallery, Museum + Archives (PAMA) – Brampton, ON
2013
Pug Awards – Honourable Mention for Outstanding Achievement
James Cooper Mansion, Sherbourne Street – Toronto, ON
Pug Awards – Paul Oberman Award for Outstanding Achievement
Shops of Summerhill (1095-1103 Yonge Street) – Toronto, ON
Heritage Toronto – Award of Merit
James Cooper Mansion, Sherbourne Street – Toronto, ON
2012
Heritage Toronto – Honourable Mention
Pease Foundry Building, 211 Laird Drive – Toronto, ON
Heritage Toronto – Award of Merit
Shops of Summerhill – 1099 Yonge Street – Toronto, ON
Heritage Toronto – Award of Excellence
Toronto’s Seventh Post Office, 10 Toronto Street – Toronto, ON
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario – Peter Stokes Restoration Award
Guelph Provincial Offences Court Renovations – Guelph, ON
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals – Award for Preservation of a Heritage Building
Toronto’s Seventh Post Office, 10 Toronto Street – Toronto, ON
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals – Award for Craftsmanship
Restoration of Birks Clock – Hamilton, ON
Toronto Urban Design Awards – Award of Excellence
Shops of Summerhill, 1099 Yonge Street – Toronto, ON
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, Guelph and Wellington Branch Heritage Awards
Former Guelph City Hall – Provincial Offences Court – Guelph, Ontario
2011
OAA – Design of Excellence Award
Maitland Residence – National Ballet School – Toronto, ON
2010
Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals – Award of Merit
Maitland Residence – National Ballet School – Toronto, ON
2009
Governor General’s Medal in Architecture – The Canada Council for the Arts and The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
Canada’s National Ballet School – Project Grand Jete – Toronto, ON
City of Ottawa Conservation Award – Certificate of Merit: Restoration
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church – Ottawa, ON
2008
Award for Planning Excellence – Canadian Institute of Planners
Honourable Mention: Urban Design
Parlimentary and Judicial Precincts Area Site, Capacity and Long Term Development Plan For PWGSC Parliament Precint Directories – Ottawa, ON
Institute Honour Award – The American Institute of Architects
Canada’s National Ballet School – Project Grand Jete – Toronto, ON
2007
Award of Excellence, Commercial – Heritage Toronto
Canada’s National Ballet School – Project Grand Jete Phase I Jarvis – Toronto, ON
Architectural Award of Excellence – Ontario Association of Architects
Canada’s National Ballet School – Phase I Jarvis – Toronto, ON
Best of Canada Design Competition – Canadian Interiors
Canada’s National Ballet School – Phase I Jarvis – Toronto, ON
Best Design Commercial/Institutional – Pugly Awards City of Toronto
Canada’s National Ballet School – Toronto, ON
2006
Best of the Best Award – Toronto Construction Association
National Ballet School of Canada Expansion – Toronto, ON
Award of Merit, Restoration – City of Toronto
Miller Tavern – Toronto, ON
2005
Architectural Award of Excellence – Ontario Association of Architects
Restoration of North Toronto Train Station / LCBO Summerhill Store – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence, Commercial – Heritage Toronto
Restoration / Adaptive Reuse, North Toronto Station – Toronto, ON
Award of Excellence, Commercial – Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario
Summerhill LCBO Interior (North Toronto Station) – Toronto, ON
Outstanding Merit, Food Retailer – nasfm – Retail Detail Design Awards
LCBO/Summerhill Flagship Store (North Toronto Station) – Toronto, ON
2004
Best of the Best Award – Toronto Construction Association
Project Achievement – Medium – North Toronto Station – Toronto, ON
2003
Citation – In collaboration with The Landplan Collaborative Ltd
– The Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Paletta Lakefront Park – Burlington, ON
2002
Heritage Awards – City of Burlington, Heritage Burlington LACAC
McNichol (Paletta) Mansion Barn – Burlington, ON
Heritage Awards – City of Burlington, Heritage Burlington LACAC
McNichol (Paletta) Mansion Gatehouse – Burlington, ON
2001
Urban Design Award – City of Toronto
Toronto Brickworks – Adaptive Re-use of Buildings and Park Development – Don Valley (Toronto), ON