Phillips House redevelopment update

Redeveloping the Phillips House (10 Buchan Court) will allow North York General Hospital (NYGH) to fully live out its core value of putting patients first in everything we do by creating a therapeutic environment tailored to meet the mental health needs of our patients and families. Construction is underway and this once-dormant heritage estate is being transformed into a one-of-a-kind setting for ambulatory and transitional mental health services for children, adolescents and their families.

 

rendering of the complete construction
Architectural rendering of the completed Phillips House. Note the new addition on the far right.

As a fully donor-funded project, the Phillips House redevelopment will reimagine how mental health care is provided to youth in our community. “From the very beginning, our supporters realized the real opportunity to dramatically alter the experience of mental health patients,” says Terry Pursell, President and CEO, North York General Foundation. “Our dream was to create a beautiful, serene space, designed using the most advanced research in therapeutic environments. Thanks to our community's support, we are making this dream a reality.”

Last summer, North York General began necessary construction work to preserve the main structure of the heritage building. “As with many buildings of this vintage, we needed to add reinforcements and upgrades in place to support and enhance its structure,” says Rudy Dahdal, Vice President, Planning, Redevelopment and Support Services. “We are currently in the midst of putting the final touches on those reinforcements and are very pleased with the results. It was important for us to preserve the character of the building.”

Along with the main structure, work is underway on the new addition to the building. With the envelope — shell of building and all its parts — starting soon and the inside mechanical and electrical work simultaneously in progress, the addition should be completed by the end of summer or early fall. Landscaping, including the development of Maddie's Healing Garden, a 1.2-acre therapeutic garden, is also currently ongoing. “Our focus is to preserve and respect the natural integrity of the area for our patients and families as well as the surrounding community,” Rudy says. “The outdoor space is a key part in creating a warm and peaceful environment.”

 

The Phillips House redevelopment is anticipated to be finished by December 2018, with occupancy planned for early 2019.

This article first appeared in the July-August 2018 issue of The Pulse. 

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