Toronto’s heritage property registry might soon get a whole lot sexier.

The Edwardian building that houses Filmores hotel and strip club, which once promised free lap dances for Pan Am Games gold medalists (“proof of medal required”), may join the list of 9,000 properties recognized by the city for their historical and cultural value.

The decision whether to add the longtime topless joint and adjoining hotel (no star rating) to the roster of architectural gems worth preserving goes to Toronto and East York Community Council on June 14.

Reports by Toronto heritage preservation staff note the building’s decorative brickwork, Edwardian styling and stone detailing — aesthetics that are perhaps lost on the establishment’s clientele. Its signs boast much more titillating attractions, such as “European style lap dancing.”

Even the owner and president of Filmores Gentlemen’s Club and Hotel, Howard Adams, is puzzled the city would want to add his building to the list of heritage property.

He didn’t know what to make of the proposal. “I laughed because it was so outrageous, and I cried because I can’t believe somebody at the city actually thought this was a good idea.”

Adams was keen to point out that he isn’t against heritage protection, per se. “There are some beautiful old buildings in the Garden District that deserve to be preserved. I don’t think Filmores Hotel is one of them.”

The origins of what is now Filmores was a mystery to Adams until he read the city’s report on the site: its former lives as a wealthy merchant’s house in the late 19th century, a low-rise apartment building and later the upscale Wilton Court Hotel with room service (no longer available at Filmores).

“It’s a fascinating story, but the building they’re talking about doesn’t exist anymore,” Adams said.

The city’s report suggests the red brick building has historical value because of its connection to architects Symons and Rae, who designed Wilton Court and upscale residences in tony neighbourhoods during Toronto’s “apartment boom” of the early 20th century.

The heritage evaluation glosses over its more recent X-rated past.

Before it became Filmores in the early ’80s, the building operated as a strip club under the name Stage 212, Adams said.

His father bought the property with a business partner intending to tear it down and build an office tower. An economic downturn dashed those plans, so the partners stuck to adult entertainment.

The younger Adams became more involved in the business after his father died in the 1990s. He bought the partner’s share about 16 years ago and has been in charge since.

What was once the posh Wilton Court now sells packets of tanning oil for $1 apiece. Rooms start at $65 a night.

The strip club downstairs from the hotel is fullest on weekends, especially after sports games, Adams said. But on late Monday afternoon, the tables facing the stage appeared empty except for a few men — one wearing a construction vest — watching a young dancer named Mystery wiggle around a pole.

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Although the Filmore has lost some of its luster, it still attracts a few stars. In 1998, it was used as a set for the Jennifer Lopez film Angel Eyes. And in the lobby near Adams’ office, there hangs a Filmore print signed by Gene Simmons, co-lead singer of Kiss.

“There are lots of celebrities. Am I gonna name them? No,” Adams said. “If you come, you’ll see them.”