University of Toronto – University College Revitalization & Infrastructure

University College, located on King’s College Circle on the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus, is the university’s oldest academic building having been constructed in 1856. Recognized as a National Historic Site by Parks Canada and listed on the City of Toronto’s Heritage Register, the building is an architectural landmark of Gothic Revival design. The three-storey structure, includes a basement and a central courtyard, and continues to serve as an academic hub housing classrooms, lecture halls, offices, and event spaces.

This project involved the strategic revitalization of University College to enhance its functionality, improve barrier-free accessibility, and celebrate the historic character of the building. The scope included partial renovations of the south and west wings, classroom upgrades, and the transformation of the Croft Chapter House into a new conference centre on the southwest side. The West Hall was renovated, and a new mezzanine was constructed in the East Hall to accommodate a relocated library. Additional work included office renovations on the second floor and the conversion of a third-floor classroom into a student café, creating vibrant and inclusive student spaces.

A key priority of the project was the significant improvement of barrier-free access throughout the facility. This was achieved through the construction of new accessible ramps in the southwest wing and the installation of a new elevator tower within the central tower. The project also included major upgrades to the mechanical and electrical systems, including a new generator, chiller, and cooling tower, as well as updated HVAC, power, and IT infrastructure.

All work was carried out with a strong conservation approach, respecting the building’s heritage elements while seamlessly integrating modern systems and accessibility features.

This exceptional heritage renovation project has been widely recognized for its excellence, receiving multiple awards:

• 2021 Ontario Library Association Library Architectural and Design Transformation Award
• 2021 Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO) Heritage Award
• 2021 Architectural Conservancy Ontario (ACO) Peter Stokes Restoration Award: Large-Scale/Team/Corporate

This virtual tour courtesy of University of Toronto enables all to visit this exciting project.