Preserve the Past, Embrace the Future: Why Toronto Should Welcome the Stewart Building Tower

Toronto’s skyline has never shied away from bold statements, and the proposed 60-storey tower above the historic Stewart Building is another step in that tradition. City staff are right to recommend approval of this project it’s a rare example of how thoughtful development can protect our heritage while addressing the city’s pressing need for housing and institutional space.

Built in the 1890s as the Toronto Athletic Club and later adapted for education and civic use, the Stewart Building is a Romanesque Revival gem designed by the celebrated E. J. Lennox. Its arched windows, intricate stonework, and dignified entrance have witnessed more than a century of Toronto’s growth. Preserving such a landmark is non-negotiable, but preservation shouldn’t mean freezing it in time or preventing the city around it from evolving.

The redesigned proposal does more than pay lip service to heritage. By retaining key façades, incorporating stepbacks, and using a glazed reveal to ease the transition between the old and new, the plan shows respect for the building’s character. Rather than overshadowing the Stewart Building, the tower will highlight it literally putting it on a pedestal as a vibrant podium.

Toronto faces a housing crunch and a growing demand for student accommodation near the University of Toronto. This project addresses both, adding hundreds of much-needed units and thousands of square metres of institutional space while creating a landscaped public area at the site’s northeast corner. It’s a pragmatic way to blend historic preservation with modern necessity.

Cities thrive when they honor their past while building for their future. Approving this development would send a clear message: Toronto can conserve its heritage without turning its back on growth. The Stewart Building has adapted to change for more than a century. Let’s allow it to keep evolving tower and all.