This building was originally built in 1963 as the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, but when that institution moved locations, it was re-established as the NOOR Cultural Centre after purchase in July 2001. Raymond Moriyama’s architectural firm was commissioned to renovate and adapt the original building as an Islamic cultural centre (https://noorculturalcentre.ca/about-2/the-building/) Judo changerooms were converted into ablution rooms, a former activity space into a prayer hall, and Arabic calligraphy has been discreetly installed in the wood screens and at the door handles. (https://www.canadianarchitect.com/new-beginnings-123-wynford-drive-toronto/)

Enhancing the quality of light was also a part of the renovation, seen in the architect’s wood screens incorporating ancient Arabic calligraphy. These additions that alluded to Islamic building traditions were also well suited to the building’s architecture. (https://noorculturalcentre.ca/about-2/the-building/)

After 18 months of continuous lockdown due to COVID-19, 123 Wynford Drive was sold in October 2021 (https://noorculturalcentre.ca/about-2/the-building/)

The construction of two new residential buildings on this site is proposed by Originate Developments and Westdale Properties. One of the buildings, referred to as the eastern tower, is proposed to be 48 storey and to be constructed directly over the original building; the other building, which will be closer to Wynford Drive, is proposed to be 55 storey.(https://storeys.com/backlash-surrounds-redevelopment-japanese-canadian-cultural-centre/)

The Wynford-Concorde area is subject to development proposals as the new Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit is under construction.

The construction of the JCCC was born from the hopes of Japanese Canadians to become re-established in the main stream of Canadian life, to avoid any cliquishness, and to contribute positively to the cultural mosaic of Canada.

According to the architect himself, the aims of the structure were:

1. To be a living memorial to the Japanese pioneers in Canada

2. To be a cultural centre with fringe benefits of social and recreational facilities – culture as seen through the eyes of Canadians of Japanese ancestry – not strictly Japanese 

3. To be an outgoing process – not to be an inward ghetto-creating ethnic centre, but open to all Canadians from all walks of life on a national basis

A three-acre wooded ravine lot in an undeveloped part of Flemingdon park near Don Mills Ontario was selected.

The ravine was intentionally used to separate the main parking area from the structure, which also complemented the sound from the highway with the sound of the stream. As so, the site planning was largely asymmetrical, while the building itself was symmetrical as the main controlling space. The structure was to crystalize the hopes and aspirations of present and future Nisei (“second generation”) and to make them proud of their strong cultural heritage and reverse their life in Canada. 

The budget was small, with the goal of achieving excellence from humble standard material and avoiding constructional complications. Therefore, concrete, raw precast, was selected as basic material. The budget established 1958 of $14.00 per square foot was nearly met in 1963 with $14.18. $300,000 was pledge within a few months from a community of 6500 persons.

Job captain: David Vickers, of Raymond Moriyama Associates General contractor: J. Robert Page Limited

Consulting structural engineers: G. Dowdell & Associates

Listed by the City of North York; folded into City of Toronto Inventory c.2000

• Architect - Moriyama and Teshima Architects  <-- More buildings by this architect.