Walkerville Collegiate Institute

Nominated for the Peter Stokes Restoration Award: Large-Scale/Team/Corporate

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Walkerville Collegiate Institute was designed in the Modern Gothic (Revival) Style c. 1922 by Architects Pennington & Boyde. Enveloped in a hand-crafted facade of brick and limestone walls, the school’s three storey volume creates a street presence perfectly suited for the neighbourhood developed and founded by Hiram Walker – the great distillery baron.

To celebrate a century of learning and historical significance, the Greater Essex County School Board selected J.P. Thomson Architects to oversee the restoration of the school. In 2020, design work for interior renovations took place, and by 2021 design work commenced on the large-scale restoration. The restoration followed three key components: the complete restoration of all masonry, a complete window replacement, and interior renovations to address the everchanging needs of the school. The façade renovations included the reconstruction of all parapets to match the original geometry, shape and original limestone masonry detailing. The school’s existing windows (which were historically incorrect) were replaced with historically correct, colour matched windows. All heritage/historical doors were re-finished and/or replaced (where not repairable) with historically correct doors. Door hardware was salvaged and re-used to further ensure historical accuracy of the finished project. The interior renovations of the school included a newly renovated learning commons, a new dance space, a new music space, upgraded cafeteria, and other key classroom areas.

Since completion in 2023, this restoration has brought the Walkerville Collegiate Institute back to its glory. The school will continue to serve the Walkerville community as both a symbol of educational prestige, and a symbol of its storied past.

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