The restoration of the Allan Gardens Palm House—one of Canada’s last remaining Edwardian-era glass conservatories—earned recognition as one of the top conservation projects of 2025.

The project was among 10 teams to receive the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards.

The multi-year restoration received an Excellence in Conservation Award during a ceremony at the Legislative Assembly in Toronto on April 17. The Ontario Heritage Trust said the renovation “highlights the power of heritage conservation to breathe new life into significant buildings and spaces”.

The conservatory and its greenhouses are home to a diverse collection of flora from around the world. Located on Gerrard Street East in downtown Toronto, Allan Gardens was originally conceived as a venue for horticultural exhibitions, concerts, and civic gatherings.

The City of Toronto’s Parks, Forestry & Recreation division led the $11-million revitalization. Zeidler Architecture served as the prime consultant, while Rasch Eckler Associates Ltd. (AREA) acted as heritage architect. Work began in 2022, and the Palm House reopened in May 2025.

The project restored the Palm House’s defining architectural features while improving performance, accessibility, and durability. Crews reinstated the original east portico entrance and added a new barrier-free entrance to improve public access.

The overhead glazing across the 16-sided dome and cupolas was replaced with laminated glass panels designed for safety and energy performance. Deteriorated framing was rehabilitated or replaced with profiles that emulate the original 1909 design.

Stonework, wood detailing, finials, clerestory windows, and the entablature were restored. New sandstone was sourced from the same quarry used for the original construction, reinforcing continuity.