Toronto Star

Preservation is its own reward. Nowhere more so than here in Toronto, where much of the city's architectural history has disappeared beneath the wrecker's ball. But not all is lost, and in fact there's good cause for optimism these days. That will be made clear when the annual Heritage Toronto Awards are handed out tomorrow evening at the Carlu. This year, no fewer than three restoration projects will receive Awards of Excellence — the old North Toronto train station/liquor store, the Distillery District and the Carlu itself. All three are brilliant examples of how buildings from the past can be brought back and given new life. Though pressure to tear down and start from scratch is intense, the hunger for heritage cannot be underestimated. In an age desperate for authenticity, any building with a history has added value.