October 13, 2026
To my insurer or broker,
Re: heritage status of 14 Centre St, Toronto, Ontario
Status
According to the City of Toronto — Heritage Register (as of September 1, 2026), this property is designated under Part IV (individual property) of the Ontario Heritage Act, by-law 19418. It is recorded as Washington Manse. Source: https://open.toronto.ca/dataset/heritage-register/
What this status requires
Designation protects the heritage attributes described in the designating by-law. Alterations that affect those attributes need a heritage permit from the municipality, and demolition needs council's consent.
It does not require the owner to rebuild a replica after a loss. In the Province's words: “The designation by-law does not require the owner to replicate any lost heritage attributes. A replacement building can be of a different design.” and “Insurance premiums should not go up because of a heritage designation.”
The building
Details insurers ask about for older buildings (filled in by the owner):
- Electrical service (60-amp or 100-amp and up) and wiring type: knob-and-tube or aluminum wiring is a common reason for refusal:
- Plumbing: galvanized steel pipes corrode from the inside:
- Heating: oil tank age (over 25 years is a concern) and any wood stove (WETT inspection):
- Roof age and condition (over 20 years raises the risk of leaks):
- Recent upgrades, with dates, receipts and photos:
Heritage contact at the municipality
Heritage Planning, City of Toronto, heritagesurvey@toronto.ca. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/heritage-preservation/heritage-register-review/
Owner:
Sources: Government of Ontario, Heritage properties and insurance (updated April 10, 2026), https://www.ontario.ca/page/heritage-properties-and-insurance. Community Heritage Ontario, ARA and University of Waterloo, Residential Property Insurance and Heritage Designation Study (June 2026). Status from The Patina Record (https://thepatinarecord.ca/property/9765269d-6f99-41c2-b844-e2e9d7f7280f/14-centre-st-toronto), which shows each municipal register with its source and date. Not legal advice; the municipality's register is the official record.