Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto

The renovation and addition to the Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto historic clubhouse marries traditional charm with modern sophistication, enhancing member experience while honoring its legacy and investing in its future.

The Ladies’ Golf Club of Toronto, the only all-female golf club in North America, needed a renovation to their 100-year-old clubhouse to better address current capacity issues and improve member experience and service. An addition was also proposed to support membership events and allow for future growth and flexibility in programming. Originally founded in 1924 by Ada Mackenzie, the club has a rich history of female empowerment that continues into the modern day, with the club and its membership emphasizing community, legacy, and heritage.

The renovation of the heritage clubhouse entailed removing the non-historical portions of the structure built in the 1990s, bringing the original clubhouse to a state of good repair and breathing new life and purpose into the building. The removal of an awning structure on the west elevation restores the full view of the façade, and the “clubhouse on the hill” procession that is historically significant. On the east façade, a new and defined entrance takes the form of glass link between the historic clubhouse and the addition, visually and physically separating the old and new into distinct elements. The landscaping and outdoors experience of the club is beloved by members, and the glass link also provides clear view through to the garden beyond. Stucco wraps around from the heritage clubhouse onto one interior wall and brick carries through from the new addition, marrying old and new facades in the central entry area.

A clear gradient of traditional to contemporary is felt when moving through the heritage clubhouse. Several rooms, including the historic entrance, retained the original traditional finishes. An informal bar lounge features transitional finishes, standing between the historic portion the new entrance link. Previously split into two disparate areas, the second floor shower/washroom area and locker room are now centralized and reoriented, with spa-like finishes and wood accents that create an atmosphere for social interaction as well as utility.

While the portion of the addition containing the enlarged kitchen, washrooms, elevator, and new entry is muted in deference to the historic clubhouse, the mass timber dining room stands in its own identity, a contemporary yet timeliness sibling beside the clubhouse. Its interior is flooded with natural light through glazing on all three exterior sides and south-facing clerestory windows. A natural material palette (wood, brick and stone) is utilized inside and out. A covered patio wraps around the south and west sides of the dining room, and operable folding door systems create a link between the two spaces, capable of seating more than a hundred guests during large events such as tournaments. The covered patio also provides a comfortable, 3-season dining terrace for the members who like to spend as much time outside as possible.

Uplifting both aesthetics and program, LGCT’s significant investment ensures the project’s longevity, preserving the club’s heritage for the next hundred years.

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