The Globe and Mail

Bata Shoe Company

The Aga Khan Council for Canada was granted the opportunity to fill some rather large shoes yesterday as the North York community council unanimously voted against designating a former Bata headquarters building as a heritage site. The modernist-era Toronto landmark that sits at the Don Valley and Eglinton Avenue East will essentially be erased to give way to an Ismaili spiritual centre, museum and public park after nine city councillors were convinced that the merits of the $200-million private investment outweigh those of a "poorly maintained" office building. The proposal still must be passed by city council. The Toronto Preservation Board and Heritage Preservation Services had recommended that Toronto City Council protect the building from being demolished.