Heritage in Eglinton Lawrence
Eglinton Lawrence is home to numerous Heritage sites that reflect the vibrant history of our diverse communities. Below highlights some of Ward’s history:
The Colombus Centre
I'm proud to receive unanimous Council support for my motion to support the City staff report's recommendation to designate the Columbus Centre a Heritage Property. For all intents and purposes it protects the Columbus Centre from demolition and redevelopment. It's a victory to save this historic focal point which serves all our Eglinton Lawrence community groups after a very important and hard fought two-year battle to stop development on the Columbus Centre.
Situated on the south side of Lawrence Avenue West, the Columbus Centre, has contextual value as it is visually, physically and historically linked to its surroundings. The Columbus Centre rotunda is a focal point within the landscaped setting of mature trees and an Italian sculpture garden, surrounded by the Villa Colombo, the two retirement residences, Casa Del Zotto and Caboto Terrace and the Dante Alighieri and Regina Mundi schools, and a landmark for the surrounding community.
The Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre building is one of only a few remaining original vaudeville/movie houses built in Toronto in the 1920s. This spectacular theatre is an important example of the Odeon cinema-style architecture, featuring romantic grand interiors and sumptuous seats.
For 97 years The Capitol Theatre has been part of the visual culture of Toronto’s Lawrence/Lytton Park neighbourhood. It’s an enduring reminder of our community history and collective memories, and is both an architecturally and socially important historical feature of Toronto’s past. Today, the Capitol Theatre continues to serve the community as a successful event theatre where local residents, businesses, schools and community groups host a wide variety of events from fairy-tale weddings, anniversary and birthday celebrations and charity fundraisers to concerts and major corporate events.
The Loyal Orange Lodge
Built in 1850, the one-room brick school house, now known as the Eglinton Orange Hall, was originally Eglinton School, the sole school for the Village of Eglinton. Today, it’s one of North Toronto’s oldest buildings.
The building was also the birthplace of several of North Toronto’s great churches. It served as the Anglican church until the congregation completed construction of St. Clement's Church west of the subject property in 1892. It was then home to Eglinton Presbyterian Church until that congregation moved to 14 St. Clements, on the northwest corner of Yonge and St. Clements. (Note: that building at 14 St. Clements Avenue is now “listed” by City Council (1973.) In 1908, the Members of the Orange Lodge purchased the land and building from the Presbyterian Church and moved it to its current site off the laneway. They continue to own it.
