Grad House

On a crisp autumn day in Toronto, the sunlight glints off the unusual facade of Grad House. This striking structure, located at 60 Harbord Street, isn’t just a place for graduate students to lay their heads. Grad House is a testament to architectural innovation, a concrete and glass marvel designed by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect Thom Mayne, in collaboration with Toronto’s own Teeple Architects. Opened in 2000, Grad House stands as a modern gateway to the western edge of the University of Toronto campus, its long form stretching halfway over Harbord Street and emblazoned with a massive “University of Toronto” sign. Before this architectural icon graced the corner of Spadina Avenue and Harbord Street, the graduate student residence was housed in the historic St. George Apartments, a 1926 building on Bloor Street West. This older residence, a U-shaped structure designed by Paisley & Marani, held its own piece of Toronto’s history, having been added to the City of Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties in 1976. The university eventually decided to redevelop the Bloor Street site for Woodsworth College residence, paving the way for the construction of the new, modern Grad House. While celebrated for its unique design, Grad House wasn’t without its critics. Some students and local residents found its unconventional façade and concrete-heavy interior a departure from the traditional campus aesthetic. But the building’s design has garnered numerous awards, solidifying its place as an important work of contemporary architecture. Inside, Grad House offers apartment-style suites, housing up to 435 graduate and second-entry professional faculty students. These suites, ranging from two to five bedrooms, provide a comfortable and convenient living space for the university’s academic community. Beyond the accommodations, Grad House offers a range of amenities. Residents have access to underground parking, bike storage, a laundry room, and spaces for quiet study or socializing in the reading room and common room. Grad House is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a vibrant hub of academic life, a place where future scholars and professionals forge connections, pursue their passions, and contribute to the rich tapestry of the University of Toronto.