Since the beginning of the Boundless campaign seven years ago, spectacular new spaces for teaching, learning, research and innovation have opened across U of T’s three campuses. The pace of change shows no signs of slowing, with several high-profile construction projects expected to begin by 2021.
New Hub for Innovation
Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman have made a remarkable $100-million gift to establish the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre on the St. George campus. The centre will anchor U of T’s cluster of world-leading AI scientists and biomedical experts and the country’s largest hub of student- and faculty-led startups.
Academic Wood Tower
A 14-storey academic tower to be built above the Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport will be the tallest mass timber and concrete hybrid building in North America. The tower will house the Rotman Executive Programs, and parts of the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy and the Faculty of Kinesiology & Physical Education.
Revitalizing the Central Campus
The Landmark Project will revitalize the historic core of the St. George campus. Surface parking will be removed, and a necklace of paths will be established around a car-free King’s College Circle. The University of Toronto Alumni Association, with the university, pledged $2 million to the project.
A Centre for Cities and Culture
A nine-storey building at 90 Queen’s Park Crescent will bring together academic and public spaces to create a hub at U of T for cities and culture. The structure will be home to the School of Cities, Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations and other departments. Among the building’s showpieces will be a recital hall that will provide audiences with a stunning south-facing view of the Toronto skyline.
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3 Responses to “ Exciting Changes Are Coming to St. George ”
I did not see any comments on what will be the future for the Banting and Best Centre for Medical Research or the Banting and Best Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or even any mention that they will be displaced by this development. Is the honour of these two gentlemen to be forgotten?
This is my favourite article in this issue.
@John Banka:
Although the buildings (100 and 112 College Street) are named after the accomplished Drs Frederick Banting and Charles Best, the buildings are not directly associated with their most significant achievements. Heritage consultants retained by the university are of the opinion that these buildings do not meet provincial criteria for heritage value or interest. Drs Banting and Best’s groundbreaking discovery of insulin took place in their laboratory in the old U of T Medical Building, which was demolished in the 1960s. Banting's own scientific accomplishments, including the insulin discovery, will continue to be honoured and represented by the historically designated 1 Spadina Circle and the plaque in front of the Medical Sciences Building, near the site of the original discoveries. The new Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre will continue their legacy of innovation and entrepreneurship and make optimal use of the site’s location in the Discovery District.