Nestled between the Eaton Centre, office towers, and Old City Hall, Toronto’s historic Trinity Square was the site of John Simcoe Macaulay’s estate in the early 19th century and home to the Church of the Holy Trinity built in 1847. A popular venue for music and cultural events, the square features a fountain, ornamental pond, labyrinth, seating, and a four-sided clock tower. Damaged by nesting pigeons and raccoons over the years, the clock tower no longer functioned and was in need of repair and revitalization.

Working closely with the Downtown Yonge BIA and the City of Toronto, JRS led the restoration of the clock tower, enhancing the visual appeal and functionality of this downtown landmark. The restoration included media blasting of the entire structure within a pressurized/sealed environment, repainting of all metal components, and the addition of new metal panels to provide a contemporary look for the tower while still remaining respectful to the architecture of the historic church. All clock motors, faces, and hands were removed and replaced with new equipment, and bird mitigation measures were installed, including bird track, optical pucks, and commercial netting. A refurbished granite base and new ‘Trinity Square’ metal letters were attached to the tower, and colourful LED lighting was installed. The LED lighting can be changed by the DYBIA for community events and seasonal celebrations.

Vibrant and eye-catching, the restored Trinity Square clock tower enhances the park and public realm of this important historic and cultural site in downtown Toronto.