Heritage Designations on Campus

Founders College (credit: York University)

Although the history of the Keele Campus only spans a little over 50 years, much of its built landscape is widely recognized as a significant component of Toronto’s architectural realm.

In 1997 North York Council Members voted to include 14 buildings on the Keele Campus within the inventory of North York’s Modernist Architecture. These buildings are representative of a distinctive design era and as such, Council also voted in 2009 to include the structures in the City-wide heritage inventory.

McLaughlin College (credit: York University)

The buildings listed may come as a surprise to some, noted City preservation office Marilyn Miller. “You won’t see buildings designed like that now, but they do represent their time.”

However, Don Valley East Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong questioned their value more directly: “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” he said. “But some of these buildings, I find them rather unattractive.”

Scott Library (credit: York University)

The 14 buildings are:

Atkinson College (1966)

Behavioural Sciences Building (1966)

Farquarson Life Sciences Building (1970)

Founders College (1965)

Steadman Lecture Halls (1966)

McLaughlin College (1969)

Osgoode Hall Law School (1968)

Petrie Sciences (1968)

Ross Building (1970)

Scott Library (1970)

Staecie Science Library (1966)

Tait McKenzie Physical Education (1966)

Vanier College (1967)

Winter’s College (1967)

Behavioural Sciences Building (credit: York University)

Furthermore, City Council is recommending that four buildings be listed under the Ontario Heritage Act. The Jacob Stong House and Barn (1854), Abraham Hoover House (1848) and Jacob Snider House (1830) are currently under review. If included under the Heritage Act, these buildings would be protected and preserved as important cultural features in Ontario’s built environment.

Jacob Stong House (credit: York University)

Jacob Snider House (credit: York University)

The City’s Heritage Preservation Services are also reviewing a number of post-modern buildings for possible designation as works of architectural significance. These include the Schulich School of Business and the Welcome Centre.

York University is fortunate to have such a diverse array of architectural works and is working to continue this tradition by commissioning innovative, sustainable and state-of-the-art additions to the campus landscape.

What is your favourite building on campus?