FitzGerald Building Revitalization, University of Toronto

Toronto, Ontario

In association with OMA New York

The adaptive reuse of the historic FitzGerald Building transitions an insular, 1927 Georgian Revival-style laboratory facility into a progressive, interconnected administrative hub. Located at 150 College Street on the University of Toronto’s St. George Campus, the 10,049-square-metre designated heritage structure was revitalized to consolidate central university administrative functions under a single roof, notably including the Office of the President.

The design strategy carefully balances rigorous heritage conservation with transformative contemporary spatial interventions. To dismantle the originally siloed, walled laboratory layout, the building’s south courtyard was enclosed to form a dramatic two-story interior atrium. This central volume establishes a new, legible, and fully accessible primary grade-level entrance facing College Street, serving as the building's main circulatory and wayfinding spine. Formally, a "neighbourhood-type" floor plan introduces a fluid programmatic mix, dedicating 65% of the interior layout to shared spaces, open-plan workstations, breakout zones, and shared meeting rooms.

The building envelope was upgraded with high-performance window assemblies and new insulated linings while preserving the historic masonry facade. Completely modernized core infrastructure includes high-efficiency HVAC, plumbing, and electrical distribution systems paired with advanced digital building automation systems, driving the performance of the renewed facility toward its LEED Silver target.

AWARDS

2025 Heritage Toronto Awards, Adaptive Reuse

Photos: Nic Lehoux