In a city that’s always building, it can be easy to forget the importance of the many historic properties that help give Toronto its unique character. Let’s take a look at this fascinating - but often complicated - sector of the market.

Historic Architecture in Toronto

One facet of old Toronto that can put people off is the confusing nomenclature - and associated legislation - that comes with historically or culturally important buildings. But it’s actually not that complex, as long as you remember that both the province and City have their own rules.

The Ontario Heritage Act

The Ontario Heritage Act covers all properties in the province that are deemed to have cultural significance. It is through the Ontario Heritage Act that you’ll hear an important term that can refer to some Toronto properties: heritage designation. This designation means that a property is officially covered by the Act, and the Ontario Heritage Trust is responsible for making sure that no properties with this designation are significantly changed, or demolished.

Toronto’s Heritage Register

Second to Ontario’s rules, Toronto has its own: the City of Toronto Heritage Register. This is essentially a list of properties, made by the city, with the intent of preserving their facades and appearance. Many of the properties on the City Register are also designated by the Ontario Heritage Act, but not all. A property can be listed as important by Toronto, without it being covered by provincial law. In addition, a property owner in Toronto can voluntarily include their home on the City’s Register. Being on the register is known colloquially as being ‘listed’.

At the moment there are over 9,000 Toronto properties listed on the City’s Heritage Register, of which about half also have provincial Heritage Designation.

Source: National Trust Canada

Toronto’s Heritage Properties

The growing number of both listed and designated heritage properties in Toronto is a sure sign that locals are becoming more and more concerned about the welfare of their city’s architectural history. And enthusiasts (or house hunters) can easily discover local gems via the City’s map and search tool.

Source: Toronto Heritage Register Map

Let’s take a look at some of these remarkable homes:

Single Family Homes

Toronto’s heritage homes run the gamut in size, location and style. Some, like this country cottage beauty in Casa Loma, are extensive in size and demand a high price, despite needing some work to return them to former glory. Others, like this smaller and older property in North York, are already in mint condition. The majority of Toronto’s residential heritage properties are single family homes, so you really can find them in all shapes and sizes.

Row Homes

Some of Toronto’s best loved heritage homes come in the form of row houses. These smaller terraced properties line some of the most popular streets in the city, and offer an affordable path to home ownership for those wishing to stay central. This is a great example of a modernized historic row home.

Converted Homes

Other, originally non-residential Toronto buildings, have heritage status, but have managed to retain important historical detail while converting the interior. You’ll find no better example of this than this loft in a converted church in High Park. Buildings like this are few and far between, so property for sale within them is rare. More common are converted warehouses, such as this one  near St Lawrence market.

Condos

Lastly, some of Toronto’s older buildings are original multi-unit buildings. A great example of an historic condo property can be found on Avenue Rd near Eglinton Park. This property is an affordable way to access an important building that retains much of its original charm. Not every heritage home comes with a hefty price tag!

Buying and Owning a Heritage Home

Their beauty can make heritage homes very appealing, but it’s crucial to understand the responsibilities that come with the benefits of ownership. 

Pros of Owning a Heritage Home

• You get to live in a unique home with a wealth of character and history, and protect it for future generations!

• Many heritage homes are in established, culturally-rich neighbourhoods

• Some tax benefits are available for those owning or preserving heritage homes; for example, Toronto has the Heritage Tax Rebate Program 

• The resale value of a heritage home is almost always higher than comparable non-heritage properties, and their value remains steady even in difficult economic conditions

Cons of Owning a Heritage Home

• Many designated or listed heritage properties are more expensive to buy than homes of a similar size or in a similar location without this status

• Older homes were not designed with energy efficiency in mind, so unless there have been extensive upgrades, you can expect it to be expensive to run

• Home insurance for a heritage home can be both harder to find and more expensive

• With both listed and designated heritage homes, there are restrictions on what renovations can occur and rules about what must be done to preserve the home’s heritage, which can hamper home improvements

• Many older homes are more susceptible to issues (such as foundation cracks); they will also generally have higher upkeep costs

• Many older homes that have not been renovated contain materials such as asbestos and lead paint, which can have negative health effects

Buying or Selling a Heritage Home?

If you are considering purchasing a heritage home, it helps if you get information on the type of listing or designation the property has, and understand the exact restrictions this status confers. It’s also important to perform a home inspection to understand exactly what state the property is in - before you finalize the purchase.

If you’re selling your heritage home, it helps if you have a “Description of Heritage Attributes” report (or similar) prepared to aid potential buyers in their understanding of your home’s unique attributes.  
For more information on heritage homes in Toronto, connect with Sutton Group’s local experts.