Provincial plaque commemorates Mutual Life Head Office in Waterloo, as part of 100th anniversary of Sun Life Financial Canadian headquarters

WATERLOO, ON, Aug. 14, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, the Ontario Heritage Trust and Sun Life Financial unveiled a provincial plaque to commemorate the Mutual Life Head Office, now Sun Life Financial's Canadian headquarters.

The unveiling took place at the Sun Life Financial building, with honoured guests, community partners and the Sun Life team.

The plaque reads as follows:

Mutual Life Head Office

The head office of The Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada (now the head office of Sun Life Financial's Canadian operations) was completed in 1912. Designed by Canadian architect Frank Darling, of the Toronto firm Darling and Pearson, the impressive Renaissance Revival style building is ornamented with features such as the two-storey fluted, paired Ionic columns supporting a large segmental arch above the main doors, elaborate window surrounds, and a parapet with a balustrade. It is clad in light brown and yellow Roman brick and embellished with projecting pedimented bays and quoins. Many of the decorative details on the façade are made from imported English terra cotta. Situated within a Beaux Arts designed landscape, the building is a unique and iconic corporate pavilion. The monumental scale of the building and its rich ornamentation symbolize the importance and stability of Waterloo's first life insurance company and reflect the town's early 20th century prosperity and sense of civic pride.

QUOTES

"As we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mutual Life Head Office - a significant historic and architectural landmark in the city of Waterloo - we are reminded of the company's innovative, cooperative and progressive spirit, qualities that continue to reflect the Waterloo community and the province of Ontario as a whole."
— Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport

"We are delighted to commemorate the Mutual Life Head Office, and its pivotal role within Ontario's architectural and commercial history, with this provincial plaque. The building is a testament to the Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada's lasting contributions to the insurance industry and to the Waterloo community."
— Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust

"We are honoured to receive this provincial plaque from the Ontario Heritage Trust, celebrating the 100th anniversary of our Canadian headquarters, an important part of our company's history. The building's evolution over the past century is symbolic of our growth and success in the Waterloo region that's home to over 3,000 employees and advisors focused on meeting the financial planning needs of clients in this community."
— Dean Connor, President and CEO, Sun Life Financial

QUICK FACTS

• The plaque will be permanently installed on the grounds of the Sun Life Financial building at 227 King Street South in Waterloo, Ontario.
  
• The Ontario Heritage Trust's Provincial Plaque Program commemorates significant people, places and events in Ontario's history.
• Since 1956, over 1,200 provincial plaques have been unveiled.
• The Ontario Heritage Trust is an agency of the Government of Ontario dedicated to identifying, preserving, protecting and promoting Ontario's heritage.

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Find out more about the Ontario Heritage Trust and Sun Life Financial.

Explore the Provincial Plaque Program.

SOURCE: Ontario Heritage Trust

Liane Nowosielski
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Ontario Heritage Trust
Telephone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

Candace Berner
Media and Public Relations
Sun Life Financial
Telephone: [phone] ext. 6051
Email: [email protected]