Union Station Revitalization Project - Fifth Façade (Roof Replacement)

Union Station, Canada’s busiest transportation hub, is a complex, multi-level interchange integrating regional and local rail, subway, bus, and pedestrian networks.

As part of its broader revitalization, +VG Architects was retained to lead the heritage conservation of the Head House roof—known as the “Fifth Façade” due to its high visibility from surrounding towers.

Working alongside multiple concurrent project teams, +VG undertook a comprehensive condition assessment of the roof, including flat roof areas, copper enclosures, and copper and brass skylights. The project involved detailed investigation, prioritization of repairs, and the development of conservation strategies aligned with Parks Canada’s Standards and Guidelines for the Conservation of Historic Places in Canada. Services included design, documentation, tender support, and contract administration.

The project was executed on a highly constrained urban site, with limited access shared among overlapping construction efforts. Careful coordination and scheduling were essential to maintain progress within an active transportation hub.

As a designated National Historic Site and Heritage Conservation District, the work required approvals across municipal, provincial, and federal levels. The result is a technically rigorous and carefully crafted intervention that preserves the building’s heritage character while ensuring long-term performance. The project received a 2018 North American Copper in Architecture Award.