The 18th Annual London Heritage Awards

On April 9, London's Heritage Awards were held at Museum London again. Sponsored by ACO London and Heritage London Foundation, the awards honour individuals and organizations who have contributed to the preservation of London's history and built heritage. As usual, I was in attendance and was especially impressed by the following:

At left is 839 Queens Avenue, built ca. 1881 in what's now called Old East Village. Owner Barb Penner received a Restoration Project Award for her work on this heritage-designated stunner. Note the intricate woodwork with stencil-cut semicircular arches surrounding the double window and the brackets on the space above the bay window below. The double-leaf front doors have carved panels. The porch handrail, spindles and flooring have been restored. And Ms. Penner even had wooden storm windows custom made to fit. Bravo!

I'm really picky when it comes to heritage restorations but, believe it or not, I wouldn't change a thing here. The result makes me feel like I've stepped back in time. The house is currently for sale, so I hope the next owner preserves it. 

I've been driving past 538 Colborne Street (right) on my way to work for years and was concerned about its dilapidated look. But thanks to Ken Madlener, this 1909 Dutch Colonial home is looking good again and has also won a Restoration Project Award. Once a family home, it's now a triplex. Many building owners wouldn't have concerned themselves with exterior restoration - but not Ken. He restored the covered front porch, rebuilt the wooden pillars and their stone bases, and restored the Juliet balcony above. Even the original leaded glass and stained-glass windows were carefully restored and reused. Once again, this building looks good from the street. 

The building at left must be one of London's greatest homes. 527 Princess Avenue, located in East Woodfield, is a gorgeous late Victorian Queen Anne mansion, built in 1899-1900 for well-known London photographer Frank Cooper. Note the imposing capped tower on one side (because what's a Queen Anne without a tower?) and the elaborate window in the front gable. There's also a second-floor balcony and beautiful detail in the gable over the front entry. A special touch is the lovely wraparound verandah, perfect for relaxing on a summer evening, sipping a cold bevie, and watching the world go by. The Small-Scale Restoration Project Award is for replacing the fish-scale pattern slate roof, copper trim and tower finial. Because details matter.

Elmwood Lawn Bowling Club, on last year's Geranium Heritage House Tour, isn't a place you'd think would receive a heritage award. But the club, founded in 1911, has received a Cultural Landscape Award, meaning the whole place is of importance, not just a building. At first a men's-only club, designed for a variety of sports, Elmwood now welcomes women (duh!) and, well, everyone plays lawn bowling. Not being coordinated enough for any sport, I'd never been here before last year's GHHT and never knew where the club was. Turns out it's tucked in behind Edward, Elmwood, Bruce, and Brighton streets in Old South. There's even a 1916 clubhouse on the lot, extensively renovated. Such a genteel oasis. 

Other awards went to individuals for their contributions to London history. A Local History Award went to artist Cheryl Radford for her illustrations of streetscapes and local architecture. Her art has appeared in personal collections, local galleries, greeting cards, and books she has co-authored about London's history. Here's one from my collection: 

ChKs Publishing, 2015

Another Local History Award went to Lorraine Tinsley for her well-researched history of London's Oxford Park neighbourhood. Which, of course, I've also got:

Oxford Park Community Association, 2024

There were other awards, recognitions, and commendations, of course, including one for Banting House, which recently underwent numerous repairs, window refurbishment, porch restoration, etc. A "Compatible Design" award went to the owners of a new house in Old South which doesn't fit too badly into the historic streetscape. Recognition also went to a renovation on Elmwood Avenue East that was on last year's Geranium Heritage House Tour. The multiplex was a definite eyesore, so the owners should be commended for removing a coating of grey stucco and repointing and cleaning the brick underneath. However, the building has been completely gutted, the former nine units turned into seven, and there are few historical vibes whatsoever. 

I'm a bit unsure about giving a heritage award to the builders of a new house, just because it looks a bit old. I'm also not thrilled about giving an award for a place with few remaining heritage features. I know why these awards were given, of course. Drive through any older neighbourhood and you'll see numerous examples of how NOT to renovate an older building. So the Awards organizers need to award any effort to preserve anything. If even the slightest consideration has been given to heritage, bless the owners' hearts. Give them an award.