Entries Tagged 'Architecture in the City' ↓

This photograph was taken in 1901.

Then:

The building was established as a hotel in 1864, but the site itself has a long history dating back to the 1800s.  Originally, the building was known as Long’s hotel, then the Arcade hotel, The Niagara House and finally, after a visit from the Duke and Duchess of York in 1901, it was renamed ‘The Prince of Wales Hotel’.

In the 1970s, the hotel was bought by the Wiens Family, who undertook serious renovations to expand the hotel to the east and to the south. The renovations stayed true to the late Victorian architecture when the hotel opened in 1864. The architectural style is called “Second Empire”.

Second Empire architecture actually goes back to the 17th century designs of French architect Francois Mansart, after whom the mansard roof is named.  The mansard roof (as seen in the photo below) is the key identifying feature of the Second Empire. It was not only a fashionable element, but  functional one as well since it created completely usable attic space.

Other commonly seen details are a bracketed cornice beneath the mansard roof, round arched windows, quoining, decorative dormer windows, an iron crest at the roofline (present in the original 1864 hotel but absent from the post 1970s renovated hotel), and columned porches or porticoes.

Now: 

Currently, the hotel is a temporary home to guests visiting the vineyards and historic Niagara on the Lake. The luxurious landmark offers a state of the art spa, restaurant with an in-house Sommelier and an afternoon high tea. These accommodations are fit for royalty (as I’m sure the Duke of York, George V, could attest…if he were alive), rates are approximately $300 per night.

At night the ghost of Mary, who was accidentally killed by an American soldier in room 207 during the war of 1812, can be heard haunting the hallways. Flickering lights, voices, empty showers turning on and off have been reported by frightened visitors.

This photo was taken in 1919.

Then:

This Neo-Gothic structure was built in 1913 by architects by Burke, Horwood and White. Originally, it was the headquarters of the Methodist Church of Canada until the church converged with another denomination and became the United Church. In 1985, CHUM (Canada Broadcasting Corp. which owned CityTV and A-Channel) acquired the building. In 2007, CTV Globemedia (owns CTV Television Network) acquired CHUM. In 2011, Bell acquired CTV (and CHUM…and everything else).

Despite it’s long history of being passed on from corporation to corporation, the architecture has remained the same, but it goes without saying that thousands have been spent to maintain the building.

What defines this building as Neo-Gothic are the terra-cotta carvings and crests beneath each set of three windows. Neo-Gothic architecture commands strong vertical lines and a sense of great height. With it’s pointed finials (the ornamental pinnacles protruding from the roof), 299 Queen St W certainly has a looming presence.

Now:

It’s known as the iconic Much Music building. The constant influx of celebrities attracts teens from all corners of the GTA. The streets are shut down once a year in June when Much Music hosts the Much Music Awards. It’s a definite treat for youngins hoping to catch a glimpse of Miley Cyrus, but a “screeching” headache for local residents who know well enough they need to leave the city until it’s all over the next day.

Not a traditional characteristic of Neo-Gothic architecture is the CityTV turned CP24 truck that projects through the eastern wall of the building. That CP24 goes through great lengths to bring us the news eh?

Forgive my sad attempt at a joke. I’ll just stick to real estate.

This photo was taken in 1948.

Then:

Looking south onto the seemingly quiet Bedford Rd. The CN tower was absent from this view until 1976.

On the right is the Creed’s Storage Vault building, which was the storage and cleaning location for Creed’s Fur Ltd.

Creed’s was a women’s specialty store which specialized in furs and high end designer fashion. The retailer opened it’s doors in 1916 but went bankrupt in 1990.

The building itself is designed in the Art Deco style, embellished with hard-edged designs and geometric shapes. To keep costs down, ornamental treatment was limited to the most visible parts of the building.

In Ontario, the style was adopted by wealthy and very fashionable patrons who wanted the Art Deco detailing to make their buildings look lavish and exotic.

Now:

The building was converted into residential lofts in the mid 80s. Named the Creed Lofts, the space contains 19 multi-level units with 13 foot ceilings, skylights, and atriums. The original building had only two stories, the third storey was added during the loft conversion.

This photo was taken in 1979.

Then:

205 Yonge St and it’s twin 199 Yonge St were formerly the Bank of Toronto. Both buildings were built in 1905 by architect E. J. Lennox. The structure, made of grey limestone, is a prime example of neo-classical architecture.

Neo-classical buildings were constructed on the traditional Georgian plan but the Greek empire became the standard for architectural decoration. Detailing became more refined, delicate, and elegant.

The focus of 205 Yonge St are the four Corinthian flutes (Greek columns with channels cut vertically in the shafts) adorned at the top with an Acanthus (Mediterranean plant whose leaves are stylized into decoration for the column) framing the entrance. The domed roof, carvings, cornices all added to the richness of the architecture, which ultimately showcased the wealth of the landowner.

The buildings were designated as a heritage site under the Ontario Heritage Act in 1975.

Now:

The two buildings still exist today. They’ve been the home of a bank, a Heritage office, even a dentist’ office but they’ve been vacant for the last 25 yeas. Today, the landmark is known as “The Bird Poop Building”. If you’ve ever walked by either of the buildings, you would notice the horizontal surfaces are covered in pigeon droppings. Although the city has put up netting to keep the birds off, it still isn’t enough. It’s a shame to see a structure that was once a symbol of wealth turn into a such derelict state.

The good news is that MOD developments announced it’s purchase of 199 and 205 Yonge St and plan develop the property into a 60 storey condo, which will incorporate both neo-classical buildings into the architecture. The condo has been named “Massey Tower”.

While I have never sold pre-construction condos to my clients, and won’t be selling this one, I think it’s a necessary evil. If the city won’t spend money to bring the historical structures back to their former glory, I welcome a developer to step in.

This photo was taken in 1917.

Then:

This factory was built in 1907. It was the home of the Wrigley Gum Factory.

The Industrial Revolution had brought steel, plate glass, and mass-produced components. These enabled a world of bold structural frames, with clean lines and plain or shiny surfaces. In the early stages, a popular motto was “decoration is a crime”.

The side view of this building is completely unadorned. The front of the building however, does show case a repeated geometric motif between the windows.

Now:

The company moved the manufacturing operations to Leslie and Eglinton, and in 1998 Atria developed the building into residential lofts. 245 Carlaw Ave is now home of the Wrigley Lofts.

The building has been preserved wonderfully and residents can enjoy all the characteristics a hard loft has to offer from 14 foot ceilings, exposed brick and wood beams, concrete floors, large fluted columns and floor to ceiling warehouse windows.

For those who can afford loft living (a 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom unit sold in March 2012 for $499,000), the space is filled with inspiration. William Wrigley Jr. founded Wrigley at the age of 29, with only $32 in his pocket. He started out as a soap salesman. He offered merchants two packs of gum as a thank you. When the gum proved to be more popular, he made it his focus.

The company was acquired by Mars Inc in 2008 for $23 billion.

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” – Henry David Thoreau.

This photo was taken in 1930.

Then:

The detached building with a storefront is an example of Edwardian Classicism. Edwardian Classicism provided simple, balanced designs, straight rooflines, un-complicated ornament, and relatively maintenance-free detailing. These buildings generally have a smooth brick surface and many windows.

The building still exists today, relatively unchanged. Although it’s morbid past creates a stigma.

306 Davenport Rd is the address that’s famous for the “Just Desserts Shooting”. On April 5th 1994, three armed robbers invaded the storefront, which at the time was the Just Desserts Cafe. When a dispute broke out amongst the patrons who refused to hand over their wallets, one of the robbers fired his shotgun killing an innocent bystander inside the cafe.

Today:

The building has been listed for sale in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2010. Today, the building is leased out to the Subway Sandwiches franchise.

I wonder how Subway’s sales are impacted by the cold blooded murder of 1994. Perhaps the crime has been forgotten?

This photo was taken in 1924.

Then:

The Bloor St  United Church was built in 1889. It’s a prime example of Gothic Revival, an architectural style which brings medieval details and building practices to the Ontario climate. The list of Gothic features on this building is long, but the famous characteristic is the lancet arche. The acutely pointed arche is used in every door and every window. The larger windows are decorated with a trefoil, a pattern overtop of the window composed of three foils or leaves.

The church also features green spires, or steeples, which are the tapering conical structures on the top of the tower.

Amongst the trees, the church is simply majestic.

Now:

Portions of the church have been demolished, and additions have been built. While the new architecture is in sync with the old architecture, there’s an obvious age difference between the dark brooding century old brick and the neoteric add on. Take away the romantic trees, throw a hotel in the background, new pavement, streetlights, bikes, cars and anything else modern in the foreground and you end up with a very perplexing image.

It just doesn’t feel right.

This photo was taken in 1952.

Then:

The photo focuses on two houses, 65 Dagmar Ave is the 2 storey house on the right directly behind the tree and 67 Dagmar Ave is bungalow on the left.

Both homes are Victorians, although without the bells and whistles, such a ornate gables, quoining or decorative trim. Regardless, the architecture still reflects the Victorian era, the sharply angled and steeply pitched roofs, and lack or symmetry are a giveaway. The homes on this street, especially 67 Dagmar Ave, were once inexpensive “worker’s cottages” in the Leslieville.

The neighbourhood began as a small village back in the 1850s and was home to gardeners and workers employed at one of the brick-making factories in the area.

Now:

67 Dagmar Ave has since then been demolished and sold as vacant land to a developper in ’91 for less than $100,000. It was developped into a Victorian style triplex in ’92. It was on and off the market for a few years until 2001, when it was sold to a buyer for $320,000. In 2010 it was sold again for $600,000. Not a bad return.

65 Dagmar Ave still exists today, although spruced up. The enclosed porch is gone, new windows, new doors and a fresh coat of paint was added. Since the life span of a sloped roof like the one seen here is 20-30 years, it would have been replaced as well. The end result, a sleeker look to keep up with the modern times, yet still keeping the integrity of the historic architecture.

My how that tree has grown!

This photo was taken in 1921

Then:

The Bank of Montreal building is a reflection of the beautiful Beaux Arts style, which was developed in the last decades of the 19th century. Many of the Beaux Arts buildings were banks, post offices, and railway stations.

The most beautiful feature on this building is the pediment (the triangular space that forms the gable surmounting the faí§ade of the building). The pediment is often supported by columns, an element inspired by Greek architecture. Upon a closer look, you’ll notice that the inside of the triangle is decorated with sculptures. This is called a tympanum.

This photo was taken in 1978.

It’s a wider shot of the west side of Yonge St, just north of Eglinton Ave. Just north of the BMO building, you’ll notice the store front for George Richards Kingsize Clothes, and their slogan “Big or tall we fit them all”. The company still exists, but it was sold to Grafton and Co in the late 70s and Yonge and Eglinton location no longer exists. Today, the company is known as George Richards Big and Tall Mensware, with 35 locations across Canada – and only 1 store in Toronto.

Now:

To this day, the BMO building has not changed. The structure has been immaculately maintained, with the addition of signage that reflects the company’s brand. North of the BMO building, you can see that George Richards moved out and Sporting Life moved in. Typical Toronto, it’s normal to see a historic edifice next to an attention grabbing graffiti covered building. Okay fine, it’s a mural.

This photo was taken February 1942.

Then:

An unkempt fixer-upper in Leslieville.

In the photo above, you notice the exteriour finish is stucco and the windows are plain and unadorned.The modern materials and complete lack of historicizing detail is deliberate. The style of architecture displayed here is moving away from ornate detailing and moving towards mass production. The building underwent renovations over the spring of 1942, but much of the style was kept. The suspended canopy above the door modernized the building.

This photo was taken May 1942.