Lady Peel House / Atelier RZLBD

Architects: Atelier RZLBD
Area: 3,000 ft²
Year: 2012
Photography: Borzu Talaie
Lead Architect: Reza Aliabadi
Project Team: Lailee Soleimani, Ehsan Zareian
Construction: FC Asset Management Inc.
Structure: Hossein Azargive
City: Toronto
Country: Canada

Lady Peel House, designed by Atelier RZLBD in Toronto, transforms a 3,000 ft² century-old home while preserving its historical exterior. Completed in 2012, the renovation reconfigures the dark, compartmentalized Victorian interior into open, linier spaces filled with natural light. Enlarged windows and exposed brick introduce a modern aesthetic, while a redesigned staircase links the levels, culminating in a third-floor master bedroom with an exposed roof and private deck. This thoughtful design merges historical elements with contemporary living.

Located in downtown Toronto, Lady Peel House holds significant cultural value as the birthplace of Beatrice Lillie, a celebrated English musical comedy star. Atelier RZLBD’s renovation pays homage to the house’s storied past, balancing historical preservation with modern functionality. The rejuvenated structure embraces its new role, blending its century-old heritage with a fresh, contemporary character while honoring the legacy of its famous former resident.

The transformation focused on the interior spaces while minimizing changes to the exterior. The external alterations included enlarging the windows and exposing the brick structure beneath the old cladding. The house’s linier dimensions, 60′ x 15′, allowed for a design emphasizing spatial continuity. Unnecessary elements were removed to create open-concept spaces filled with natural light, enhancing the perceived length of the rooms.

Previously dark, fragmented Victorian rooms on the ground floor were converted into modern, airy spaces. Exposed brick in the kitchen and dining area subtle historical references. The long, enclosed staircase, once a visual and physical barrier, was replaced by an open structure circulating around voids, connecting all levels dynamically.

On the second floor, bedrooms and a home office are linked by a bridge overlooking the stairs and dining room. The third floor, in the attic, features a modern master bedroom with a freestanding tub and access to a private deck. The exposed roof structure here serves as a reminder of the home’s historical origins.