Toronto offers a unique blend of architectural styles that include styles popular between the 19th century to modern day. Georgian and postmodern architecture is most widely seen, with the city having once been a center of attention for architectural stylings and new designs. However, very few of the city’s own styles caught on internationally, with the exception of some specific structures such as Annex style housing.
Although some of Toronto’s earliest buildings were destroyed to make room for new construction, the city has passed a range of ordnances to ensure preservation of older structures. Many of the oldest buildings in the city are adopted from designs popular during the British Empire. This includes styles such as Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian. Following World War II, modernist and post-modernist architectural styles were used in construction. The geography of the city is also a direct result of the ravine system that runs in and around Toronto, a protected green space that feeds into farmland, wetlands and various other watersheds.
Some of Toronto’s most notable landmarks include the CN Tower and Ontario Parliament building. The CN Tower opened in 1976 and boasts and spans 553 feet into the air. It includes both a communications and observation tower and is an icon of Toronto’s skyline . The Ontario Parliament building is surrounded by Queen’s Park and was built using both iron and timber framing in a Romanesque style. Visitors interested in church architecture may wish to visit the St. James Cathedral. Housing a parish established in 1797, this Anglican cathedral is built in a Gothic Revival style and was one of the largest buildings at its time of construction in 1853.
Architecture & Landmarks Details
CN Tower
Address: 290 Bremner Blvd, Toronto, ON M5V 3L9, Canada
Phone: +1 416-868-6937
Business Hours:
– Currently closed due to COVID-19
Website
Ontario Parliament
Address: 1 Queens Park, Toronto, ON M7A 1A8, Canada
Business Hours:
– Currently closed due to COVID-19
Website
St. James Cathedral
Address: 106 King St E, Toronto, ON M5C 2E9, Canada
Phone: +1 416-364-7865
Business Hours:
– Monday 7:30am–5:30pm
– Tuesday 7:30am–5:30pm
– Wednesday 7:30am–5:30pm
– Thursday 7:30am–5:30pm
– Friday 7:30am–5:30pm
– Saturday 9am–5pm
-Sunday 7:30am–5:30pm
Website