The public will, part 2: The historical preservation of the Revue Theatre is in the public interest.
At the Save the Revue meeting, an expert on historical preservation described how The Toronto Preservation Board will decide on what specific physical features of the building are worth saving and what features are not. If City Council accepts their argument, a by-law will then be passed that protects those heritage features, and those features only. So, while designation protects specific historically important architectural features it does not determine possible future uses of a building.
In the case of the Revue, this would most likely mean saving the marquee and the exterior facade of the building above the marquee. The interior of the building has been changed substantially over the years and its unclear whether or not much of it would still be deemed of historical interest. Therefore—and this should be emphasized—even with designation, the interior of the building could still be changed and used for some other purpose—as happened in the case of the Runymede Theatre which was turned into a Chapters bookstore. (next page…)
The McQuillans used the Globe & Mail article, “Heritage Homes A Hard Sell”, on behalf of their opposition to listing/designation.
Here’s what Catherine Nasmith has to say regarding said article in her e-newsletter Built Heritage News #84 (June 12 2006)…
Perhaps the McQuillans ought to keep that in mind…
Comment by Adam Sobolak — June 12, 2006 @ 6:59 pm
Hi Adam,
Thank you for the contribution. Your comment supports the position that heritage designation can actually be used as a selling point; an actual benefit to the property owner—as well as the community. At the Save the Revue meeting it was mentioned that housing prices are strong in Cabbagetown, at least in part, because it is a part of a Heritage Conservation District. The situations are not identical, of course, but I am sure that home owners in the North Ronces area understand that having a neighborhood cinema is a boon to their quality of life—not to mention their “cultural capital.”
NorthRonces
Comment by NorthRonces — June 12, 2006 @ 7:12 pm