Law Society of Ontario 1829 Benchers’ Wing

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

Municipally designated and part of a National Historic Site, the Law Society of Ontario’s Benchers’ Wing was designed to sit at the head of York St. in the plans for the beautification of the Town of York. Now, almost 200 years later, restoration of this prominent historic building has prepared it for its upcoming bicentenary.

Heritage staff combed the extensive on-site archives, working with the architect to trace original construction detailing and evolution, supplemented by clues revealed during construction. Restoration of the interior and structure started three decades ago, but in 2020 the instability of the building’s foundations threatened its very existence. Working to a revised Conservation Plan complying with the Standards and Guidelines for Historic Places in Canada, the restoration project included: extensive structural shoring and masonry stabilization of rubble foundations undermined by collapsed soils; new underground drainage; stabilization of settled 1829 brick walls and Berea sandstone portico; repair, cut out and repointing of the iconic red brick façade previously repointed in the 1970s with black Portland; going to small quarries in Ohio to match the colour and character of aged Berea sandstone for portico columns, pediment and entablature; rebuild of collapsing stone parapets. Spectacular classical decorative elements were restored in wood. Roofing was restored in slate to match fragments discovered beneath the surface, and traditionally crafted flashings in lead-coated copper and copper installed. Wood windows were restored or replicated.

The restoration furthers the LSO’s exceptional contributions to public history and architecture; over 11,000 visitors have toured the structure and landscaped grounds through Doors Open and other tours in 2024.

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