The Landmark Project realizes a bold new vision for one of U of T’s most iconic spaces
Nov 1, 2024
Thanks to the support of more than 4,500 donors, the University of Toronto’s downtown campus is a greener and more accessible environment
Drone footage captures the revitalized western side of King’s College Circle, the Sir Daniel Wilson Quadrangle and front campus.
In the heart of downtown Toronto, a monumental transformation has taken shape at the University of Toronto’s St. George campus. Long known for its historic architecture and nearly 200 years of academic tradition, the university has recently completed the Landmark Project, a sweeping revitalization effort supported by thousands of donors. The project’s goal: to create a more sustainable and pedestrian-friendly campus for generations to come.
“The Landmark Project represents more than just a physical transformation — it’s a reimagining of what our campus can be,” said President Meric Gertler. “This is a space designed for people, where students, faculty, alumni and visitors alike can connect, reflect and recharge. The shift from a car-dominated environment to a green oasis reflects our commitment to sustainability and inclusivity. The impact of this project will last generations, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to its success.”
Aerial view of the newly transformed St. George Campus.
Towards a climate positive campus
The Landmark Project’s vision extends far beyond mere construction and landscaping—it represents the university’s bold commitment to sustainability, inclusivity and fostering community connections.
From the historic libraries and classrooms surrounding King’s College Circle to the tranquil new gardens, the campus has been reimagined as a space that honors both heritage and human connection.
Inscribed granite donor pavers feature prominently at Alumni Plaza and Temerty Plaza and in front of Simcoe Hall (shown above).110 new benches, dedicated by donors, provide a place for students, faculty, staff and members of the community to sit, eat, study, reflect and converse.45 new gardens supported by donors beautify both front and back campus.Looking southwest toward the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
The vast outpouring of support for the Landmark Project speaks to how important U of T is in the lives of thousands of alumni around the world.
— Corwin Cambray, President, University of Toronto Alumni Association
I think being here in the open space and seeing all these seating areas makes me want to study outside.
— Jubee Kim, second-year student, double major in pharmacology and nutritional science, minor in psychology
For the rest of my life I will walk to King’s College Circle and visit my family’s square foot of granite. I’ll look at it for a moment, it will give me pleasure, and then I’ll press on.
— Harvey Botting (BA 1967 VIC, MBA 1985)
As we mark the completion of this transformation, let’s remember the generations of alumni who have built U of T into one of the world’s top universities.
— Donald Ainslie, a professor of philosophy and co-sponsor of the project, who was principal of University College when the revitalization was first envisioned
Throughout my undergraduate degree, this place has been under construction. But now that I’m in my final year, it’s a fantastic social space to come to after lectures.
— Parth Mahendru, second-year student, major in aerospace engineering
The accessible new garage removes surface parking from King’s College Circle with 236 parking spots, including 48 with electric vehicle charging capability. There is also room for over 100 bicycles. This is all part of making the St. George campus a more pedestrian-friendly space and more accessible to the U of T community.
The entrance to the new underground parking garage (left) which features 48 electric vehicle charging spots (right).
Landmark also signals a huge advance in U of T’s climate positive goals, with the installation of Canada’s largest urban geoexchange field under King’s College Circle. This system is effectively a giant thermal battery that will help heat and cool surrounding buildings. It is part of U of T’s climate positive plan to achieve net positive energy emissions. In order to achieve this, 372 wells were drilled 250 metres underground — half the height of the CN Tower. These boreholes are distributed beneath the entire area of the new underground parking garage. After years of construction, the geothermal field now stands as a testament to the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. It will also serve as an in-person learning tool for students in engineering and environmental sciences.
The geothermal exchange field under King’s College Circle helps to heat and cool surrounding buildings, contributing to U of T’s long-term sustainability efforts.A windowed view into the largest urban geothermal exchange system in Canada.
“Many of our donors, advisors and staff members have been involved since day one,” said Scott Mabury Vice-President Operations and Real-Estate Partnerships and co-sponsor of the Landmark Project. “This entire undertaking was driven by a collaborative spirit since its inception. The project team was tremendously resilient in the face of adversity over the past five years but carried the entire project — from the largest to the smallest details — through to completion. We can all be proud of the finished result.”
New and revitalized spaces
“During construction, we worked to keep our community safe, all while managing the intricacies of the largest construction site we’ve ever had,” said Mabury. The project owes much to the collaborative efforts of talented architects and designers, including Shirley Blumberg from KMPB and Michael Van Valkenburgh from MVVA, as well as the skilled work of EllisDon, our trusted construction partner. Generous support from donors, especially lead supporters like the UTSU and the UTAA, played a critical role in bringing this vision to life.
The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) helped create the UTSU Welcome Path, a new, accessible entrance from the southeast corner of front campus, connecting our university to Queen’s Park and the subway station. And the University of Toronto Alumni Association helped fund Alumni Plaza, just outside of Convocation Hall. These early gifts from university students and alumni set the momentum for the tremendous support for Landmark as a whole.
The University of Toronto Students’ Union (UTSU) Welcome Path provides a new, accessible entryway to campus from Queen’s Park at the southeast end of front campus. Alumni Plaza is now a prominent gathering place on campus and services as a beautiful setting for graduates to celebrate with friends and family following their convocation.The University of Toronto Alumni Association was a lead supporter of the Landmark Project.
Temerty Plaza, in front of the Medical Sciences building, home to the Temerty Faculty of Medicine, features seating walls, gardens and new glass pavilion providing accessible access to the parking garage. The areas in front of Hart House and the Louis B. Stewart Observatory have been transformed with the addition of granite paving stones, new trees, benches and gardens. To the south is the Grandchildren’s Garden, supported by Chancellor Emeritus David and Shelley Peterson, and the new Houlden-Yen Family Arrivals Plaza.
Looking east toward the new Temerty Plaza in front of the Medical Sciences building.New seating areas have been installed throughout both front and back campus.The area in front of Hart House and Soldiers’ Tower has been rebuilt to be more accessible.The Grandchildren’s Garden in front of Hart House, funded by Chancellor Emeritus Hon. David Peterson and Shelley Peterson, makes this area greener and more pedestrian-friendly.New green spaces, such as Houlden-Yen Family Arrivals Plaza invite activity, engagement and reflection.
Today, areas such as Tower Road have been revitalized with granite paving stones and flanked by new trees and gardens set against the backdrop of historic architecture. Scace Walk is a beautiful new pedestrian walkway along Tower Road funded by the Henry White Kinnear Foundation. It will serve as an inviting space to gather and watch sporting events. North of this, the Bapsy and Darius Irani Garden at Hoskin Avenue opens to views of the athletic fields, University College and Soldiers’ Tower. To the south, in front of Soldiers’ Tower, the new R.G. Macdonald Plaza is a dignified setting for the university’s Remembrance Day ceremonies and for quiet reflection and commemoration year-round.
Scace Walk, north of Soldiers’ Tower, includes new seating areas for people to relax or watch sporting events on back campus.Looking south toward the Sir Daniel Wilson Quadrangle on the western side of back campus.R.G. Macdonald Plaza is a revitalized space for reflection and commemoration in front of Soldiers’ Tower.
Adjacent to the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House, another new plaza has been built for people to congregate and connect with their campus and each other. North of this is a revitalized Sir Daniel Wilson quadrangle beside University College, with many new gardens. In total, 45 new gardens have been created, 253 new trees planted, and 110 new benches have transformed one of the most significant green spaces in Toronto’s urban core. 3,478 inscribed granite pavers across front campus pay tribute to community members who helped support Landmark and celebrate their connections to the University.
The plaza in front of the J. Robert S. Prichard Alumni House features hundreds of inscribed donor pavers.Looking west toward St. George Street in the Sir Daniel Wilson Quadrangle.
“Donors from more than 35 countries contributed to Landmark,” says David Palmer, Vice-President, Advancement. “It truly reflects the enduring spirit of our global community. Much of the project was created during a time of lockdowns and isolation, but it now stands as a place of connection, interaction and beauty. Time will show that the true measure of its success will be in the generations of students it will inspire.”
Landmark opening celebration
In September, the university invited donors, faculty, staff and friends of U of T — which included people from 35 countries — to an event at Convocation Hall to celebrate the official opening of Landmark. Guests toured the revitalized campus and got a chance to see their named installation. They also had an opportunity to talk to in-house experts at Alumni Plaza about how the transformation took place, and the creation and impact of the geothermal field.
Find your Landmark paver
To find a paver on front campus, please view the paver map. If you have questions about other Landmark Recognition, please contact landmark.project@utoronto.ca.
