The property at 1436 Royal York Road is located on the Southwest corner of Summitcrest Drive/Renault Crescent and Royal York Road. The building on the north half of the property is the Royal York Medical Arts Building, built in 1965-1966 in the mid-century expressionist style. The building currently houses a number of private practice medical offices. The land is in the City of Etobicoke and part of Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit.

Heritage Value

The Royal York Medical Arts Building stands as one of the few remaining works of Jan Horatius Albarda, a man who always sought to push the boundary of social acceptance through his work. Albarda’s work here is the culmination of his architectural career in which he continually expressed his thoughts and feelings. Albarda saw doing things differently as a way of saying that they could be done better. This dominant presence of the Royal York Medical Arts Building in this suburban area is a strong reminder of this way of thinking.

Character Defining Elements

Key elements that express the heritage value as an example of mid-century expressionist architecture include its:

• Round massing which comprises the main building;
• Exposed steel structural members;
• Metal screens secured between exterior steel structural members;
• Internal layout which provides an equal allotment of office space for each practice; and
• Central circulation shaft which puts the patient at the center of the care process.

• Architect - Jan Horatio Albards  <-- More buildings by this architect.