Buildings I’d like to see at Next Year’s Doors Open Toronto

Bank of Toronto

We were lucky enough to see the former Bank of Commerce/ Future Massey Tower next door during this years Doors Open, but I think it’s time we got a peek into the other abandoned bank that sits on Yonge.

Commerce Court North Observation Deck

Commerce Court was a great experience this year. I loved all the detailing on the buildings main floor. However, I would love to be able to go up to the observation deck which used to be open to public when the building first opened.

College Park

The site of a former Eaton’s Department Store this building would be an interesting tour. From the architecture to the Carlu this building should make an appearance next year! Not to mention the fact the Mr. Timothy Eaton himself helped define retail in Canada and shaped many of our Christmas tradition. This could not only be a heritage tour in terms of the building, but one that looks at Canadian history.  

Confederation Life Building

This building is truly overwhelming in its architecture and I would love to learn more about it!

Hockey Hall of Fame

Not only is this hockey central, but it has such a tragic love story that ended with a suicide. What I find most interesting is that the woman who took her life in the building, and supposedly haunts it, literally lived up the street from me. Not to mention the exterior has the scariest architecture I have ever seen.

Masonic Temple

This depends on the fate of the building. If it is still abandoned next year I say we take a tour of the historic concert hall and temple.

St. Augustine Seminary

Now that Doors Open has expanded even further into Scarborough I think it would be interested to tour the St. Augustine Seminary. The copper dome is truly an eye catching landmark in the area near the Scarborough Bluffs and if that is eye catching, imagine what the interior has to offer.

Prison Chapel, Loblaws Warehouse, Canada Malting Silo

I know this probably, almost 100% isn’t possible because these buildings have been left to deteriorate, but wouldn’t it be grand if we got to go into these now deserted building? I feel as though mystery of the building is what that truly sparks the public interest. Alas they probably have asbestos, mold, or are unstable and dangerous. However, if they are not I think they should be considered.

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What I Learned From Doors Open Toronto

Dineen Building

The longest line I have ever had to wait in for a Doors Open tour was at the Dineen Building this past Sunday. However, I will admit that every minute I waited to tour the heritage property was worth it. As I mentioned in the original Dineen Building post (which is linked below), I was really happy when I found out the building was set to be restored and even happier with the outcome of it.

After years of neglect the building was in a state of despair and became an eyesore on the corner of Yonge and Temperance. The intense restoration project which took place last year saw the building completely hidden so that workers could sand blast the grime and tear down the dry wall inside. Well behind all that grime on the exterior was this beautiful coloured brick and behind that dry wall some very interesting and beautiful pieces that were hidden by those rotten tenants over the years.

This is the first year the building has participated in Doors Open and it was one of the best tours I have been to out of all my years participating in the event. The tour explored not only the history of the Dineen building, but the past and future of the Yonge and Temperance area.

I entered the building through Temperance Street where over the entrance way is a copper sign that says DINEEN BLDG. Upon entering the building I was immediately amazed by the former directories of the building which were all done by hand. On the left side there was a fully restored directory and on the right was a directory the owner decided to leave in the condition in which it was found after the drywall was torn down. Furthermore, the ceiling and the arch above the entrance way allowed my imagination to run wild as to what the building may have looked like when it was built in 1897.

To start the tour we were taken downstairs to the lounge, which had a rough, yet beautiful exposed stone wall. The tour then officially started on the third floor where I learned some amazing things about the area and how buildings were built in 1897. The building was originally the Dineen Hat and Fur Company, which at the time was located in the old fashion district of Toronto across from a shopping plaza which is now long gone. Our tour guide then told us how at the time if you wanted to build a building you would literally attach yourself to the exterior of the building right next door. I of course thought she was over exaggerating until I saw a former billboard for Kent Jewelers. I was amazed that the former billboard was in such great shape and it turns out that the dry wall that was put up helped preserve the billboard.

As we descended down the hall of the third floor we were shown one of six safes that were also found hidden behind dry wall. The safe we saw was truly extraordinary. I must also mention a legend about hidden money and treasure that may have been stashed in the building after a heist nearby. Now many people who worked on the restoration of the heritage site claim that it may be in this safe simply because the combination lock is the only one missing of the six safes. Speaking of safes, as we made our way back downstairs the tour guide had pointed out another safe that most likely was used to hold money.

What was most interesting however, was the mention of the building facing south of the Dineen building. The building whose exterior on Temperance has been completely gutted is going through an intense restoration project in which the building façade on Adelaide is being restored and relocated to Temperance. Eventually the plan is to turn Temperance Street from Yonge to Bay into a public space closed off to traffic and completely cover with cobble stone. This truly could be the most exciting project of the year!

That is what I learned at and why I love Doors Open Toronto.

Original Why I Love Toronto Post

Why I Love Toronto

Alumnae Theatre (Former Fire Hall No. 4)

I love my office job because on some days I get to go on adventures! In my retail jobs the only real adventure you could take was to the bank to get coin for the registers. Anyways one day my adventures took me to the east end of Toronto to a box office, where I had to pick up tickets for my co-workers so they could attend a gala the next night. After I had picked up the tickets I was to assist someone with moving a prop a bit further east. I had gotten to my first destination rather quickly and decided to explore the area while I waited for my ride to the next place. As I was walking I noticed what looked like an old fire hall. As I turned the corner I noticed that it was a fire hall that has been converted into the Alumnae Theatre.

Before I discuss the current tenant of the building, let me tell you a bit about the buildings days as a fire hall. The Edwardian Classical fire hall was designed by A. Frank Wickson (who didn’t do many building in Toronto). The building was a rebuild of an existing fire hall that once stood on the same property. Mostly known for its architectural features the building is noted for its arched gables, contrasts in brick and stone and that beautiful second storey window.  My favourite feature would be the isoclines tower which is where the hoses were dried as well as the brick detailing around the second storey window, which has similarities to my dream house on Sussex Ave. Today much of the exterior is the same however the interior underwent a major renovation in 1972 by Ron Thom whose task was to convert the fire hall into the Alumnae Theatre. One of the major changes to the exterior was the elimination of the former garage doors which today are two large windows that allow you to peer into the theatres facility.

But what is the Alumnae Theatre? Well it was a club formed in 1919 by female graduates of the University of Toronto, in which the club was once affiliated with. The mission of Alumnae still remains relatively the same as it did in 1919 with just one major change. Many people in 1919 did not get the chance to see theatre because it was not as readily available and therefore, it became the Alumnae’s mission to bring theatre to Toronto by staging club premieres of famous plays. Today of course we know that theatre is thriving in the city with major theatre houses owned by the Mirvish Family and little ones like the Alumnae Theatre. Other parts of their mission statements which have been maintained since their inception include presenting the best in classic and contemporary plays and to provide women with the opportunity to be in theatre.

I have to say the one reason I love this facility is because two pieces of Toronto’s history have collided. The first is an architectural history and the second is a cultural one. Together their story is

Why I Love Toronto

Related Why I Love Toronto Posts:

Sources:

Images:

  • Image 1-3 by me 
  • Image 4
  • Image 5 by me

Why I Love The CNE Grounds

The Automotive Building

I will never forget prom night when we were heading to my Uncle’s house to drop off our expensive suits and dresses, before we hit up the Frat Party from hell – but I digress. The reason I bring up prom night is because my prom was held at the Liberty Grand on the west side of the CNE. Now after prom The Crew and I called a cab which drove us through the empty CNE Grounds. As we were heading towards the Princess Gates, we passed a building that was all covered in scaffold, expect for the part the said Automotive Building. The Automotive Building which sits on the eastern side of the CNE grounds had sat neglected for many years. However, in October of 2009 the building was re-opened as conference facility and was given the name the Allstream Centre.  However, we need to go back to the year 1929 when this art deco masterpiece was built to fully appreciate and understand its history.

After a competing in a competition with around 35 other competitors the coveted role of architect was given to Douglas Kertland, a man who mainly built private residences for the rich. The Automotive Building, like its name suggests, was used to showcase the latest car and truck models on the market. New model cars and trucks had been displayed on the EX grounds since the late 1890’s, but as the industry continued to grow and expand the EX felt as though there needed to be a building dedicated to the automotive industry. Sadly, and I always say this, that darn depression hit the economy and the automotive industry really hard and even though the CNE tried its best to continue to showcase new cars, the number of automobiles being produced was slowly declining and therefore, the number of cars being showcased began to decline. 

Eventually the building was handed over to the Canadian navy and turned into a naval facility for World War Two. It wasn’t until the 50’s that the buildings began to flourish and its purpose was reborn. During the 50’s and 60’s the building made news for housing a number of firsts such as the first Volkswagen in Canada and the world premiere of the Edsel. Ford even showcased the prototype for its futuristic Levacar, which spoke to the 60’s notion that we would have flying cars by now.  

Eventually the building which spans 160,000 square feet became too small and the auto show left the CNE for the Metro Toronto Convention Centre in 1967.

When Allstream took the building, they began a massive renovation project and for a while there was scaffolding blocking the building façade and massive holes in the exterior. However, the building restored the original terrazzo, carvings, mouldings and light fixtures. The exterior is also stunning and at one entrance you go underneath these huge arches that are lit up by these beautiful light fixtures.

This building is truly another stunning piece of architecture with so much history. Even though cars may not be showcased any longer inside the facility, just remember you could be standing in the place where the 60’s version of ourselves stood in amazement at the idea that we would have flying cars, by now.

That is Why I Love The CNE Grounds

http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/cne/article/684895—the-reinvention-of-an-auto-palace  

http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/cne/article/684895—the-reinvention-of-an-auto-palace

Why I Love The CNE Grounds

The Press Building

I had never noticed this building until one summer at the CNE when my eyes were drawn to a purple light coming from the second floor of this building. I knew right then and there that I needed to take note of the buildings name so that I could ask my parents about it when I got home. Thinking I would have to find a plaque or open my crumpled map to find the name of the building, I was presently surprised that the name was written in capital letters above the entranceway. The word above the entranceway simply said PRESS, but I immediately knew what purpose the building served.

The Press Building is another architectural masterpiece by G.W. Gouinlock, the man behind a majority of the CNE buildings. However, when Gouinlock built the facility its original intent was to house the CNE Association. Therefore, its original name was The Administrative Building. The building was home to the CNE Association until staff relocated to the Queen Elizabeth Building in 1957. After the CNE Association moved the building became the media headquarters during the Canadian National Exhibition. Today the building once again houses CNE Staff.

The building itself however looks as though it is fit for a Governor General, Premier or Prime Minister. The tan coloured façade with the white accents make it look like an old country home. Some of the architectural detailing that stands out for me include the balcony above the entrance way, in which you are led through by a pair of beautiful white bordered glass doors. The clock above the balcony immediately draws your attention because of the intricate carvings that surround it. Lastly I love the five-bulb lampposts that welcome you to the building.

Regardless, the Press Building for me gives off this very homey feeling that I love.

That Is Why I Love The CNE Grounds

Why I Love Toronto (CNE Edition)

Dufferin Gate

To start my CNE week I thought it would be appropriate to start at the original CNE entrance  (Dufferin Gate) and work our way to the newest entrance the Princess Gates. Now I know what many of you are thinking – The Dufferin Gate is the gateway into a rather sketchy part of Toronto – no offense – and is not the most attractive thing sitting on the CNE grounds. However, the Dufferin Gate, located at the west end of the CNE grounds, has such a rich history to it and even though it may look unattractive in daylight, you have to admit it is beautiful when it is all lit up at night.  

The Dufferin Gate served as the CNE’s main entranceway until the Princess Gates was built in 1927. Now the Dufferin entrance has had three separate incarnations. The first gates were erected in 1895, was rebuilt in 1910 and finally in 1959 the current structure was erected. I think it would be worth going through the history of all three Gates that stood on the CNE grounds Dufferin entrance.

The 1895 version of the gates was stunning and didn’t look like a gateway at all. The need for an entrance way was crucial to the grounds since permanent exhibitions were being held. There needed to be some sort of focal point that told Torontonians and visitors where to enter the exhibition grounds. Well what they built was absolutely stunning! It was a wooden structure whose entrance way looked as though it should be a top of a bridge located in Northern Ontario. There were also buildings attached to the east and west side of the entrance way. I am unsure of what these other buildings were used for, but my guess it that they were coffee/ tea establishments and maybe even souvenir shops.

In 1910 this structure was sadly torn down, but replaced by an equally as beautiful structure built by architect G.W. Gouinlock.  The new gate had two towers both with the Ontario Flag mounted on the top and a sign that connected the two towers that read Canadian National Exhibition. There was also a clock underneath the Canadian National Exhibition sign and it was decorated with garland and light bulbs. Now from what I have seen from the various pictures of this gate is that the tower structure led to a wrought iron gate. However, there is no information on if those were functional or decoration.  

In 1959 the current Dufferin gates were built. The 1910 model was torn down because it was in the way of the Gardiner Expressway, which was under construction at the time. The current gates resemble that of the St. Louis archway in my opinion. The sad part about the Gate today is that is has been largely neglected and is in desperate need of a restoration or knowing the gates history a complete rebuild.

 http://www.blogto.com/city/2012/01/a_brief_history_of_the_dufferin_gate_at_the_cne_grounds/