De La Salle Institute BUILDING 1871 Designed by Toronto architect Henry Langley, this building was constructed as a boys school operated by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, a Catholic teaching order. The Brothers had purchased the former Bank of Upper Canada, building to the immediate west in 1870. One year later this central building was completed to provide extra classroom, library and dormitory space. By 1876, the Institute's educational complex had expanded further to include the former Post Office to the immediate east. As the Institute's centre block, this building was originally set apart from its older adjoining neighbours by its Second Empire style, best defined by its mansard roof. Such roofs were later added to the other buildings. The entire complex served educational purposes until 1916. From 1925 to 1956, the United Farmers Cooperative Company used it for offices, cold storage, and a food processing plant. Later abandoned, the three buildings were saved from demolition and restored to use in the early 1980s.

See also the Toronto Plaques entry showing the location of the plaque in June 2012 before modifications to the entry staircase allowed it to be resited.