Toronto Architecture From The 1960's and 70's

[Anna]

I like this one.

 

[Anna]

 

[thecharioteer]

Thought I'd revive this thread with this pic from the Toronto Star Archives

:

Caption:

Towering model of twin-tower $48 million re-development project proposed for the block bounded by Bloor, Bay, Charles and Balmuto streets was unveiled yesterday. Plans call for a 51-storey apartment tower, a 19-storey office building; two shopping levels. The project to provide homes for 1,500; could start in fall.
Goode, Jeff
Picture, 1969

 

[Goldie]

A 1973 image of the construction:

 

[adma]

Or, a picture of several things being constructed at once, including 2 Bloor W and the Hudson's Bay Centre. (The first stage of Manulife, including the apartment tower, was already complete--its shopping podium to the right of the photo.)

 

[Blovertis]

And the top of the Plaza II in the background. Funny how so much was built at once in that neighbourhood... and then very little for the next 35 years.

 

[adma]

And the top of the Plaza II in the background. Funny how so much was built at once in that neighbourhood... and then very little for the next 35 years.

The Plaza II being, of course, part of the HBC. And while cynics might have blamed the drought on 45-foot Mayor Crombie, the reality is that the 1973 recession/gas crisis multiple whammy disrupted/reality-checked just about *everything*, *everywhere* in the overdeveloped Western-capitalist economy. (Classic case in point: how the megastructural physical plant of York U and other suburban campuses basically stopped growing at that point.)

 

[thecharioteer]

The Plaza II being, of course, part of the HBC. And while cynics might have blamed the drought on 45-foot Mayor Crombie, the reality is that the 1973 recession/gas crisis multiple whammy disrupted/reality-checked just about *everything*, *everywhere* in the overdeveloped Western-capitalist economy. (Classic case in point: how the megastructural physical plant of York U and other suburban campuses basically stopped growing at that point.)

Notwithstanding, adma, the 70’s in Toronto were not exactly static: First Canadian Place was announced around 1972, Eaton Centre Phase I opened in 1977, the St. Lawrence neighbourhood began in 1974, Dundas-Sherbourne mid-70’s and Toronto ‘s early condos like 150 Heath and Harbour Square all were built in the 70’s. The Sheraton Centre opened in 1972, the old Four Seasons on Avenue Roaf in 1978. The Roberts Library opened in 1973, Hazelton Lanes in 1976.

 

[thecharioteer]

In retrospect, the filling in of the Bay Street courtyard was a loss:

 

[adma]

Notwithstanding, adma, the 70’s in Toronto were not exactly static: First Canadian Place was announced around 1972, Eaton Centre Phase I opened in 1977, the St. Lawrence neighbourhood began in 1974, Dundas-Sherbourne mid-70’s and Toronto ‘s early condos like 150 Heath and Harbour Square all were built in the 70’s. The Sheraton Centre opened in 1972, the old Four Seasons on Avenue Roaf in 1978. The Roberts Library opened in 1973, Hazelton Lanes in 1976.

Though most of those were, admittedly, on the pre-approved momentum from the early 70s. (And remember that the Four Seasons took over the pre-existing Hyatt Regency of 1972.)

 

[Goldie]

In retrospect, the filling in of the Bay Street courtyard was a loss:

View attachment 140162

Now there's something of which I was never aware, even as a lifelong Torontonian.
It appears to have been a beautiful courtyard. Sorry I missed it.

 

[Edward Skira]

One of my favourite buildings in Toronto. 135 Antibes. Would love to see something like this (sans glass balcony) today.

 

[officedweller]

I didn't know that the old Four Seasons started out as a Hyatt Regency

From the 1971 Trizec Annual Report:

https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/hrcorpreports/pdfs/6/631113.pdf

 

[thecharioteer]

I didn't know that the old Four Seasons started out as a Hyatt Regency

From the 1971 Trizec Annual Report:

https://digital.library.mcgill.ca/hrcorpreports/pdfs/6/631113.pdf

 

[someMidTowner]

I took this shot of Leaside Towers last week:
Leaside Towers by Jack Landau, on Flickr