North Toronto landmark the Eglinton Grand Theatre has been recognized as a national historic site by Parks Canada, Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, 80 years after it first opened in 1936. 

The art deco-style theatre, envisioned by Toronto architects Kaplan and Sprachman, was used as a Famous Players Cinema until 2002. The building was taken over by Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment Group in 2003 and has been used as an events venue ever since.

In a ceremony held on Nov. 15, two plaques were presented to Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment and the families of Kaplan and Sprachman.

Phyllis Pepper, daughter of architect Harold Solomon Kaplan, and Robert Sprachman, grandson of architect Abraham Sprachman, unveil historic site plaques
 

“To be singled out like that is a great thing for us,” said Piero Suppa, co-managing director of Dynamic Hospitality and Entertainment Group. 

But the theatre’s new-found historical significance does not provide any additional protection against future redevelopment, according to a Parks Canada statement sent to Post City.

“While a national historic site designation helps to focus public attention on a particular site, it does not affect ownership of the site or provide protection against destruction,” the statement reads.

According to Heritage Preservation Services’ (HPS) Toronto Heritage Register, the theatre was first listed as a heritage site by the City of Toronto in 1983. The building was officially designated as a heritage property in 2004 by Toronto City Council.

When a property is “listed” as a heritage building, it allows for HPS to review development applications and to require that developers or owners give the city 60-days notice of their intention to demolish the building.

But a heritage “designation” offers a higher level of protection, said Geoff Kettel, a member of the Toronto Preservation Board. 

“The city identifies heritage attributes that it wants to ensure are protected,” he said, “It’s pretty significant. If somebody wanted to redevelop the property they would have to maintain those heritage attributes.”

Under heritage designation, city council can refuse development applications that could negatively impact heritage attributes. But it doesn’t mean redevelopment can’t take place.

There are no current plans to demolish or redevelop the property, said Suppa.