Monthly Archives: March 2016
20160306. Toronto’s 1927 Canadian Westinghouse Building has donned an exoskeleton.
This is a great example of the Commercial Style Architecture, also known as Chicago Style as this form was developed in Chicago after the 1871 fire. It’s metal skeleton framing was a new development allowing for buildings of greater height, more floor space and maximum light and ventilation as opposed to the load-bearing brick buildings that came before it. This building has Classical detailing and terra cotta trim – a rare combination in Toronto.
Although heritage-designated, property owners are allowed to develop on site. The building’s North and West faces are to be incorporated into the King Blue Condos (48 and 44 storeys) designed by Page + Steele / IBI Group Architects and developed by the Greenland Group. This condominium comes with a Section 37 payment of $1.25 million for public amenities.
20160305. Rack House D, Building 42 at the Gooderham and Worts Distillery, a heritage-designated National Historic Site in Toronto.
This is a 6-storey masonry warehouse building that was used to store barrels of alcohol. Designed by David Roberts Jr and constructed between 1842-1851, it was built where the residence of James Gooderham Worts once stood. Archaeological evidence of this residence may survive underneath the building. Thanks goes to a Heritage Impact Assessment report by ERA Architects for the above information.
20160304. The anatomy of a fire exit stairwell.
20160303. An imposing residential tower rises above a walk up courtyard (Seligman and Dick, c.1972).
20160302. Toronto’s modern classical 1953 decommissioned Commissioners St Incinerator building.
An excellent example of Modern Classical design with stone detailing and varied fenestration, the incinerator opened in 1955 with the capacity to burn 900 Imperial tons per day. It was closed in 1988 after a Department of Public Health reported that it generated dioxin and other carcinogenic chemicals. It now functions as a waste transfer station.
20160301. Waiting for the bus under a massive relic of modernism.
Toronto‘s Sutton Place Hotel was built in 1967 by WZMH Architects. After almost 50 years in service the building is being redeveloped as a condominium tower.