重口味SM

U of T reaches deal to acquire Knox College building on King鈥檚 College Circle

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Knox College was founded in 1844 and became affiliated with U of T in 1890. The building itself was constructed between 1912 and 1915 (photo by Arthur Kwiatkowski)

The 重口味SM has reached an agreement to acquire the Knox College properties at 59 and 63 St. George Street in a deal that will bring the college鈥檚 neo-gothic building under the university鈥檚 ownership while freeing up Knox to focus on its mission of theological education and programming.

For U of T, Knox College is seen as one of the last missing pieces of the St. George campus and therefore a strategic acquisition for the university. It鈥檚 located at the campus鈥檚 historic core on King鈥檚 College Circle 鈥 a stone鈥檚 throw from Convocation Hall, Simcoe Hall and University College.

鈥淭he agreement to acquire the Knox College building is a truly momentous occasion for the 重口味SM,鈥 said Scott Mabury, U of T鈥檚 vice-president, operations and real estate partnerships. 鈥淚t has been a beloved part of the St. George campus for over a century 鈥 with the grandeur of Front Campus owing much to the property.

鈥淭he chance to acquire such a historic gem to help meet the future needs of students, faculty and staff 鈥 while also being able to continue U of T鈥檚 longstanding relationship with Knox College 鈥 makes this opportunity one the university simply couldn鈥檛 afford to pass up.鈥

The agreement will see U of T purchase Knox College, as well as the adjacent MacDonald-Mowat House (home of the School of Graduate Studies), for $45 million, once the transaction is complete. The east wing of Knox College (on King鈥檚 College Circle) will be leased back to Knox on a long-term basis, allowing the continued operation of a theological school for the Presbyterian Church in Canada.

(Photo by Arthur Kwiatkowski)

Rev. Dr. John A. Vissers, principal of Knox College, said the deal will enable the college, a Christian theological school and seminary of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, to ensure it has a robust and sustainable future.

鈥淭his is an important opportunity that unlocks the value of the Knox College properties,鈥 said Vissers, a professor of historical theology. 鈥淚t frees the college from the responsibility of owning and operating the whole building and will allow us to focus our efforts and resources on our programs and mission.

鈥淭he [agreement] provides a solid basis for the continuing and uninterrupted work of Knox College on the 重口味SM campus in partnership with the Toronto School of Theology and the 重口味SM. It positions Knox College well for success in advancing theological education for the long term.鈥

Vissers noted that Knox鈥檚 ability to continue using the classrooms, offices, chapel and library in the east wing for years to come means that the college will continue to operate in much the same way.

鈥淭he rich student experience will only be enhanced as we are able to focus our efforts and resources on our programs and mission,鈥 he said.

Knox College was founded in 1844 and became affiliated with U of T in 1890.

The building itself was constructed between 1912 and 1915 after the college decided to move from its previous location at 1 Spadina Crescent 鈥 now home to the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.

The building鈥檚 edifice has a U-shaped configuration that鈥檚 divided in half by a covered gallery, creating two stunning courtyards. Wrapping around the cloisters are classrooms, office spaces, a library, chapel and roughly 100 student dormitory rooms that house U of T undergraduate and graduate students as well as Knox College theological students.

Operation of the residences will be turned over to U of T following the acquisition, which has been approved by the Business Board of U of T鈥檚 Governing Council.

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