Downtown Toronto lost one of its most visionary architects on August 11th, as Barton Myers passed away at the age of 91 following a brief illness in Connecticut. Myers, whose career spanned over five decades, fundamentally reshaped how Canadian cities approach development by championing architecture that honours existing neighbourhoods while introducing bold new designs.
A Legacy of Urban Conservation
Myers’ most influential work emerged from his collaborative practice with Jack Diamond in Toronto during the 1970s and 1980s. Their groundbreaking approach saw its clearest expression in Sherbourne Street, where they designed a social housing project that cleverly slid behind existing homes rather than replacing them entirely. This horizontal tower design, extending five to six storeys, accommodated 300 apartments while preserving the neighbourhood’s character—a revolutionary concept that garnered international recognition.
The duo’s philosophy of “urban consolidation” gained further traction through their 1978 publication “Vacant Lottery,” a manifesto advocating against destructive redevelopment in favour of incremental, respectful interventions. As Myers later reflected in a 2005 interview, “All across Canada and the U.S., cities were being left vacant. The goal was to protect the old neighbourhoods, to keep people living downtown.”
From Naval Academy to Architectural Icon
Born on November 6th, 1934, in Norfolk, Virginia, Myers came from a distinguished family lineage—his grandfather served as mayor and naval admiral, while his ancestor Moses Myers was a prominent 18th-century merchant. After serving in the U.S. Air Force and discovering architecture at Cambridge University, Myers pursued formal training at the University of Pennsylvania, studying under the renowned Louis Kahn.
This mentorship profoundly influenced his work, blending Kahn’s monumental modernism with an appreciation for historical continuity. Myers’ own residence at 19 Yorkville—a steel-and-glass structure that cleverly matched its Victorian neighbours while showcasing radical modernist interiors—became a manifesto in miniature, demonstrating how industrial materials could coexist with urban politeness.
Building Bridges Between Continents
After establishing himself in Toronto, Myers expanded his reach internationally, eventually relocating to Los Angeles in 1987. His American portfolio includes five performing arts centres across California, Arizona, New Jersey, Florida and Oregon. Back in Canada, his most significant project—the 1984 renovation and expansion of Toronto’s Art Gallery of Ontario—earned praise for its spatial clarity and innovative use of high-tech steel and American brick.
Despite his international success, Myers maintained deep connections to Toronto, where his former protégés including Bruce Kuwabara and Suzanne Lewis went on to establish the influential firm KPMB.
Personal Spaces, Professional Vision
Myers’ personal life mirrored his professional philosophy. Alongside his wife Victoria “Vicki” George, whom he married in 1959, he created a household that balanced intellectual curiosity with domestic warmth. Their daughter Suzanne recalled growing up in their Yorkville home as “a low-drama household” filled with classical music, museum visits, and creative exploration.
Their Californian home in Santa Barbara’s Toro Canyon, completed in the late 1990s, embodied Myers’ mature architectural thinking—a three-building complex that maximised natural ventilation and ocean views through strategic use of garage doors and breezeways.
Myers is survived by his wife, daughter Suzanne Lewis Myers, four grandchildren, and a legacy that continues to influence how architects think about urban development.
Why it Matters
Myers’ work represents a crucial shift in architectural thinking—from demolition and replacement toward preservation and enhancement. His approach offers valuable lessons for contemporary cities grappling with housing shortages and heritage preservation. By demonstrating that new development can coexist with historical fabric, Myers provided a blueprint for sustainable urban growth that respects community identity while meeting evolving needs. His legacy reminds us that thoughtful architecture can strengthen rather than diminish the character of our shared urban spaces.
