Royal York

The original black granite and bronze façade of these 1950s mirror-image buildings was removed nearly 20 years ago, and a paneled wood front with lampposts and very traditional detailing were installed, all of which deteriorated. They needed replacement.

The Building commissioned us to design new façades, and during the process of a comprehensive entry design, we recommended addressing accessibility.

We took advantage of underutilized space from the façade setbacks to allow for a new entry ramp to accommodate a broader range of residents including those with strollers. The existing façade was replaced with crisply detailed limestone panels with cast-bronze decorative banding, a new bronze storefront, new wall-mounted lighting and new entry canopies; more in keeping with, but enhancing the building's post-war vocabulary.