Toronto’s Alliance REIT recently announced the completion of renovation work on a pre-war heritage building in downtown Toronto.

Originally designed in 1931, the new Forest Hill Manor is the only apartment building designed by modernist architect Herbert George Duerr, who would become known for designing movie theatres across Ontario for the Famous Players chain.

“We take underutilized turn of century properties, often heritage buildings, and turn them into boutique, modern, hard loft apartments that add value to the neighbourhood,” said Alliance REIT CEO Hooman Tabesh. “Forest Hill Manor is a good example of our work."

Alliance REIT converted the building on Spadina Road into 31 modern loft style rental apartments and four retail stores. The company made a priority of maintaining the building’s special features, including its brickwork, ornate design and turn-of-the-century gated elevators.

Renovations began in May 2021 and included the modernization of 31 units, including restoring the original turn-of-the-century hardwood flooring and heritage features, updating all mechanical elements and building new modern kitchens with stone counters, ensuite washer and dryer and other amenities.