Architecture - Canadian Architecture - Toronto - Part 1

Cathedral Church of St-James
1853

Toronto’s architecture up to 1965 reflects its evolution from a modest colonial settlement to a bustling urban center, blending styles and influences from various eras.

19th Century: Early Development

Georgian Style (1790s-1850s): Dominated early architecture, with symmetrical, functional buildings. Examples include Osgoode Hall (1829), reflecting neoclassical influence.
Victorian Style (1850s-1900s): Marked by ornate details, decorative brickwork, and eclectic designs. Notable examples:

The Gooderham Building (1892, also known as the Flatiron Building).
Old City Hall (1899) by architect Edward James Lennox, showcasing Richardsonian Romanesque style.

Early 20th Century: Growth and Innovation

Edwardian Classicism (1900s-1920s): Characterized by restrained, symmetrical designs, balancing decoration and function. Examples include:

Royal Ontario Museum (1914, original building).
Union Station (1927), a grand Beaux-Arts structure emphasizing symmetry and monumental scale.

Art Deco (1920s-1930s): Embodied in buildings like:

Toronto Hydro-Electric System Building (1931).
Canada Life Building (1931), with streamlined, geometric motifs.

Post-War Modernism (1940s-1960s)

International Style (1950s-1960s): Minimalist designs with clean lines and glass façades. Key examples:

Toronto-Dominion Centre (1967, started construction in 1964) by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Although completed after 1965, it marks the transition to modern skyscrapers.
New City Hall (1965) by Viljo Revell, a groundbreaking modernist design symbolizing Toronto’s progressiveness.

Mid-Century Modern (1950s-1960s): Simple, functional designs for residential and institutional buildings, such as low-rise apartments and schools.

Key Themes in Toronto Architecture (Pre-1965)

Blending Old and New: Gothic Revival churches, Victorian homes, and modernist office towers coexist, reflecting changing tastes and rapid urbanization.
Colonial to Cosmopolitan: Architecture evolved as Toronto grew from a British colonial town to Canada’s largest city, influenced by immigration and economic expansion.
Infrastructure and Civic Pride: Landmark buildings, like Old City Hall and Union Station, were constructed to showcase Toronto’s importance as a political and economic hub.
By 1965, Toronto was poised for a new era of architectural experimentation, driven by its growing prominence as a global city.

University College
1859