Toronto Architecture From The 1960's and 70's

[One Nut Kruk]

Canada Square

Year: 1963

Architect: Kenneth R. Cooper

Photo: Tony Lea

Photo: John Fitzgerald

Photo: Tony Lea

Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown

Photo: Jack Landau (from the 1972 portion of Canada Square)

Photo: Danielle Scott (from the '72 building - 180 Yonge St)

Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown

Some of the photos aren't showing up again; but this should suffice.

 

[Anna]

 

[thecharioteer]

Toronto Telegram 1963:



















1970:

 

[someMidTowner]

That was an absolute treat to read. I pass through Canada Square all the time, and always find myself fascinated by the architecture. Would love to see what the original interiors looked like, as the publicly accessible parts seem to have been "modernized" (read: defaced) Thank you for posting that Charioteer!

 

[One Nut Kruk]

Thanks, Anna. Do any photos of the original interior exist, to anyone's knowledge? This is one of my favourite Toronto buildings from this era.

 

[thecharioteer]

Canada Square under construction 1963:

The site, 1954, looking north from Berwick:

Subway station designs:

Under construction:

 

[Anna]

Not that I've seen. Those were taken for the TTC.

Another one of the Eglinton Station, pre-Canada Square, in 1954.

 

[Blovertis]

Love the groovy "pop art" rendering of the Sheraton Centre. Looks like the poster art for "The Harder They Come". Even then, did someone have an inkling that the complex was doomed to be a cold, grey slab/bunker? I'm talking about the exterior, mind you -- I've always liked the lobby and its courtyard.

 

[One Nut Kruk]

Kartelle - 1880 O'Connor Dr

Year: ?

Architect: ?

This building could actually be from the 50s, but I thought I'd post it here anyway. If anyone knows who built it, and when, please let me know.

Photo: Greg's Southern Ontario

Photo: TOBuilt

Photo: TOBuilt

Photo: TOBuilt

*Remaining photos - photographer unknown

Unfortunately, it appears that this is slated to be demolished (though it was recently renovated -- which seems odd, if it is to be torn down) and replaced with this office building:

 

[CityPlaceN1]

Very cool One Nut!

 

[Anna]

Kartelle - 1880 O'Connor Dr

Year: ?

Architect: ?

This building could actually be from the 50s, but I thought I'd post it here anyway. If anyone know knows who built it and when, please let me know.

Between 1957 & 1962 according to aerial photos (and the turquoise brick).

 

[One Nut Kruk]

Between 1957 & 1962 according to aerial photos (and the turquoise brick).

Thanks, Anna. I'm not sure if the turquoise brick is original or if it was painted at a later date.

 

[adma]

Glazed brick in all likelihood original--unfortunately covered up in the recent renos (and who knows, maybe a "deliberate" degrading en route to replacement)

 

[junctionist]

Things go out of style, but glazed bricks just disappeared it seems. Is it an issue of limited lifespan? It looks like the bricks deteriorated and blackened irregularly in those colour photos above. Is glazed brick restorable?

 

[One Nut Kruk]

Glazed brick in all likelihood original--unfortunately covered up in the recent renos (and who knows, maybe a "deliberate" degrading en route to replacement)

What would be the purpose of degrading it before demolition? That seems like an unnecessary waste of money for the owners to spend on a building that probably isn't intended to exist much longer. I guess we can argue that the removal of the turquoise brick glazing is insensitive to what you said is, "in all likelihood original." It's evident that the owners have gone to great lengths to "improve" the look of the building; at least in their view. They've also restored, or changed, the banding from grey to white. What do you suppose is the original colour?

I've contacted the owner and asked for more information about said building's future. Hopefully we'll have some answers, shortly.