While the Toronto of today is a booming metropolis with dozens of cranes dotting the skyline, times weren't so exciting in the early 1990s. An economic recession and high vacancy rates led to the cancellation of what was to be a 57-storey office tower at the corner of Bay and Adelaide Streets. Construction began in 1990 and the project was officially put on hold three years later. What remained was an underground parking garage and six storeys of concrete elevator core. The unsightly structure became known as "the stump" to many in Toronto. It was draped with advertisements in subsequent years, as seen in the photo below taken on August 12, 2006. The structure was finally demolished later that year. 

Looking northwest from Adelaide Street West towards the "stump", August 12, 2006, image by Edward Skira

Fast forward to May 14, 2015, and the completed west tower of the Bay Adelaide Centre dominates the view. Construction on the east tower continues at a steady pace, with the east crane almost fully disassembled and work on the lobby progressing. 

Looking northwest from Adelaide Street towards Bay Adelaide Centre West and East, May 14, 2015, image by Marcus Mitanis

We will return next week with another look at the changing face of Toronto!

Related Companies:  Adamson Associates Architects, ANTAMEX, entro, Entuitive, LRI Engineering Inc., Multiplex, Trillium Architectural Products, Walters Group, WZMH Architects