Toronto Courthouse

Phased overhaul of Ontario’s busiest courthouse

Cumulus is leading the revitalization of the iconic Toronto Courthouse on University Avenue for Infrastructure Ontario and the Ministry of the Attorney General.  As the busiest courthouse in Ontario and a Provincial Heritage Property a strategic phased implementation plan was required to ensure continued operations. This project draws on Cumulus’ experience, expertise and intimate understanding of existing facilities, courthouse function supporting comprehensive evaluation of design options and impact on building system integration.

View inside courthouse compiled from a comprehensive laser scan 

Cumulus assessed the feasibility of maintaining court operations under two phased upgrade scenarios for sprinkler and fire alarm systems. Our methodology combined laser scanning, ventilation mapping, a validated BIM model, and more than 140 targeted site investigations to establish an accurate existing-conditions baseline.

We evaluated two implementation strategies:

  • a 22-phase, 11-year plan that preserved the integrity of existing administrative units, and
  • an 11-phase, 7.5-year plan aligned with building ventilation zones.

The resulting study now informs Infrastructure Ontario’s long-term capital planning. Cumulus, in collaboration with the engineering team, has since finalized design documentation for Phase 1 implementation, introducing new vertical riser infrastructure throughout the building to enable future incremental extensions of the fire protection and alarm systems.

The project is currently being tendered.