Lesser recognized buildings in Toronto that you enjoy

Hamiltonian · Jan 12, 2022

I love these dutch gable semi-detached homes on Sullivan Street near the AGO. I always make an effort to walk by them when I'm walking through the area.

Screen Shot 2022-01-12 at 5.17.53 PM.png

70Challenger · Apr 7, 2022

Found this really nicely restored block somewhere in the Annex. I like the contrast of white and black brick.

No overcladding, no replacing original balustrades with tinted glass panels.

egotrippin · Apr 21, 2022

70Challenger said:
No overcladding, no replacing original balustrades with tinted glass panels.

This right here. Such a rarity to see apartments from this era properly restored, I wish more property owners could see their potential. A 1960s/70s brick building near my office was recently re-clad in a horrifying two-tone pale blue and grey EIFS combo that I can only describe as prison-like.

CanadianNational · Jun 11, 2023

145 Adelaide.

It's a curious little doodad, but it cheers me up somehow. Partly, I think, because it's so incongruous and wee, surrounded by giants.
It manages to hold it's own, though, through a dab of solid ostentation.

A UTF member, Jeff Low put a post up about it in 2011. It's from this post I got the 'before' pic.

Then and Now: 145 Adelaide West | UrbanToronto

A historical look at Toronto property and real estate comparing yesterday to today through photographs.

urbantoronto.ca

AlbertC · Sep 27, 2023

The former OAA headquarters at 50 Park Road, designed by John C. Parkin:

Former OAA headquarters, designed by John C. Parkin, up for sale in Toronto

The former OAA headquarters, located at 50 Park Road in Toronto, is up for sale.

www.canadianarchitect.com

ADRM · Sep 27, 2023

AlbertC said:
The former OAA headquarters at 50 Park Road, designed by John C. Parkin:

Former OAA headquarters, designed by John C. Parkin, up for sale in Toronto

The former OAA headquarters, located at 50 Park Road in Toronto, is up for sale.

www.canadianarchitect.com

View attachment 509584 View attachment 509585

Also currently DTAH’s offices.

70Challenger · Feb 9, 2024

Nice piece of Brasilia at The Kingsway: Royal York Gardens Building C

Designed by Raymond Mandel in 1965

GenerationLee · Feb 10, 2024

That does reminds me a little of Le Corbusier's bris-soliels. What a pretty building.

adma · Feb 10, 2024

From the curvilinearity to the perforated brick balcony blocks, it owes a fair bit to this

Pedregulho Housing Development - Hidden Architecture

“This project, singular on account of not fitting in the usual way of author’s planning and doing, in view of its social or artistic features and even more of the persistence necessary to guarantee its continuity – it is owed to Carmen Portinho, the administrator who idealized and is carrying it...

hiddenarchitecture.net

Dan416 · Mar 3, 2024

egotrippin said:
“So much money gets spent on it, but the incremental cost of adding architecture is relatively small. It’s an easy way for cities to make themselves more beautiful.”

This quote right here, this needs to be the message front and centre every time bad design or value engineering rears its ugly head. I've always thought that there's no excuse for all the bland, banal and cheap new construction in this city; these buildings already have millions, if not hundreds of millions invested into them. We should be demanding better design in everywhere, from private residential developments to our civic buildings and spaces.

I know this quote is from 3 years ago but love it and wanted to bring it forward. It's a great quote.