In 2005, the TSA embarked on an initiative with the City of Toronto to have more of Toronto’s valuable post-war buildings recognized and protected against demolition. The Modern Heritage Building Initiative was conceived by former TSA Vice-Chair Lindsay Reid, as a result of the positive response from the architectural community and City of Toronto’s Heritage Preservation Services to the TSA Guide Map documenting Toronto’s modern architecture from 1953 to 2003.

The intent of the initiative is to proactively promote, protect and recognize the heritage value of Toronto’s modern architecture. Fewer than 100 modern buildings are included in the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.  In fact, less than 20 of Toronto’s post-war buildings are protected against demolition under the Ontario Heritage Act. This gap in the protection of modern properties resulted in the demolishing of the Bata Building by John C. Parkin, which was considered a valuable example of modern architecture in Toronto.

Of the 96 buildings included in the TSA Guide Map, 29 are listed in the Inventory and only 12 of those 29 are designated. Since 2005, several properties have been submitted for consideration to Heritage City Staff for addition to the inventory of Heritage properties, including Hydro Block, King’s Landing, Market Square and St. Lawrence Neighbourhood.  In 2007, Hydro Block received listed heritage status.