Parliament St Heritage Designation Survey
The Cabbagetown Heritage Conservation District Advisory Committee (an external organisation to the BIA) is currently considering the heritage designation of 9 sets of properties along Parliament Street, for a total of 46 properties. The objective of the HCD Committee is to proactively protect areas of Victorian architecture along our main street before various "listed" properties potentially lose their heritage status in February 2027.
This is a significant matter that would likely impact property owners and the future development of Parliament Street. We understand there are diverse perspectives within our membership, and your feedback is crucial in shaping the BIA's stance and future actions.
Understanding Heritage Designation:
Heritage designation, overseen by the City of Toronto, is a legal tool to recognize and protect the heritage attributes of a property.
All the Cabbagetown city blocks adjacent to Parliament Street, including Carlton St, are designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as Heritage Conservation Districts (HCDs). HCDs are entire communities or streets where all properties are designated as heritage properties, such as along Queen St W. This is NOT what is being proposed here. The proposal is to designate specific sets of properties along Parliament.
There are currently two properties along Parliament St that are protected with heritage designation: The Winchester Hotel at 531 Parliament St; and the CCDT property at 509 Parliament St, seen below.
Impacts on Property Owners of a Designated Property:
Protection of Heritage Attributes: Designated exterior features (e.g., facade materials, architectural details) would be protected from demolition or significant alterations without City approval. Interior features may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
City Approval for Alterations: Changes to the designated heritage attributes (or any building permits??) would require review and approval from the City's heritage office. A property owner who wishes to demolish or make alterations to their building can legally be refused a demolition permit by Council, though the owner retains the right to appeal. There is no additional fee for heritage permits.
When Would a Heritage Permit be Required?
New construction including additions visible from the street
Alteration, addition, or removal of windows, dormers, doors and chimneys
Replacement of windows, dormers, doors and chimneys
New exterior cladding and roofing
Demolition of the building, or part of the building
Hard landscaping including new patios, fences and retaining walls at the front of the property
Sub-surface excavations and grade change
Painting of a brick surface, or heritage attribute that is not already painted
When would a Heritage Permit NOT be Required?
Repainting a painted surface
Repair and maintenance of EXISTING features that are being kept the same (i.e. roofs, exterior cladding, porches and steps, doors, windows, foundations, decorative features)
Installation of eavestroughs
Weatherproofing
Exterior lighting
Landscaping that does not require sub-surface excavation and grade change
Repair of existing utilities and public works
Seasonal installations, such as planters and decoration
Potential Benefits and Downsides for the Community and Future of Parliament Street:
Benefits:
Preservation of Unique Character: Protects the distinct Victorian architecture that contributes to Cabbagetown's charm and identity, making Parliament Street a more attractive destination.
Attracting Tourism: A well-preserved heritage streetscape can draw more visitors, benefiting local businesses.
Guiding Future Development: Heritage guidelines can ensure that new developments are sympathetic to the existing architectural context, maintaining the street's cohesion (as seen in Cabbagetown Southwest and along Queen West). It may attract larger developers who can afford to follow these guidelines.
Increased Property Value (potentially): Some studies indicate that heritage designation can enhance the unique character and desirability of a property, increasing both property value and rate of sale.
Access to Heritage Grants: Property owners may become eligible for City and potentially other heritage grants and tax rebate programs to assist with the conservation and maintenance of their heritage features.
Downsides & Concerns:
Restrictions on Development, Renovation, and Density: Designation could make necessary renovations or redevelopment more complex and costly due to City approval processes. It may also make it more difficult for developers to increase density along Parliament.
Cost of Facade Maintenance: Concerns exist about the financial burden of maintaining aging and degrading facades, especially given challenges like relocating Hydro wires and erecting the required scaffolding. Many of the brick facades are aging and have suffered from poor maintenance, including damage from sandblasting, painting, and pollution.
Architectural Inconsistency: The varying architectural styles along Parliament Street may pose a challenge to achieving a cohesive heritage designation and appearance, as stretches of heritage are interrupted by non-heritage single-story buildings.
Potential for Delayed Development: Heritage designation may deter developers by introducing additional regulatory hurdles, potential design restrictions, and increased costs associated with preserving existing architectural elements. Development could be a major avenue to future sidewalk widening and burying of Hydro wires.
Improving Accessibility: Finding aesthetically compatible and structurally sound ways to add ramps, wider doorways, elevators, and other accessibility improvements to heritage-designated buildings could be challenging, more costly, and a lengthier process.
Balancing Preservation and Progress: Finding the right balance between preserving heritage and allowing for necessary modernization and growth is a key challenge.
List of Proposed Properties:
411-415 Parliament St, east side
433-443 Parliament St, east side
450-460 Parliament St, west side
473-491 Parliament St, east side
502-508 Parliament St, west side
542-552 Parliament St, west side
549-563 Parliament St, east side
583-585 Parliament St, east side
562-588 Parliament St, west side
To ensure the Cabbagetown BIA accurately represents the interests of its business members, we urge you to participate in the following brief survey. Your honest and thoughtful responses will help us understand your priorities for the future of Parliament Street.
Deadline to complete survey: Tuesday, August 12, 2025
