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Allan Gardens Palm House Restoration

Honoured with Lieutenant Governor’s

Award as Momentum Builds for

Conservatory Expansion

Toronto, Canada

he award marks a defining east portico entrance-removed in the
moment for the 1910 landmark, mid-20th century-restoring the historic
Tdesigned by City Architect Robert processional axis and reconnecting
McCallum, and reinforces the growing the building to its front plaza. The new
public momentum to further invest in the barrier-free entrance accommodates
future of Allan Gardens Conservatory. both public access and operational needs,
Led by the City of Toronto’s Parks, strengthening the Palm House’s role as a
Forestry & Recreation division, with welcoming civic space.
Zeidler Architecture as prime consultant Overhead glazing across the 16-sided
and Architects Rasch Eckler Associates dome and cupolas was replaced with
Ltd. (AREA) as heritage architect, the laminated glass panels engineered for
$11-million revitalisation restored the safety and performance, including
Palm House’s defining architectural ceramic fritting to reduce summer solar
elements, while upgrading performance, gain while preserving the building’s
accessibility, and long-term durability. luminous character. Deteriorated framing
was rehabilitated or replaced with profiles
A civic landmark, reinstated that emulate the original 1909 design.
A central component of the restoration Stonework, wood detailing, finials,
was the reinstatement of the original clerestory windows, and the 1909

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