This art-chitecture walk has two key themes: Toronto as space (style, structure, scale) and Toronto as place (meaning, myth, memory). The walk explores buildings, public art, gardens and fountains with a consciousness that our physical earth and urban environment is often overlooked in our day to day world. In fact, for many of us, cities in other countries are visited with more enthusiasm than our own.
Benjamin Disraeli said “Never apologize for showing feeling. When you do so, you apologize for the truth.” And so as you explore these places listed here, feel free to return and add your comments, thoughts and ideas on each location.
- Berczy Park
- Flatiron Building
- Mushroom Studio
- St Lawrence Hall
- St James Cathedral
- Court Square
- Consumers Gas Building
- Synthetic Eden
- Cloud Gardens
- Old City Hall
- New City Hall
- Peace Garden
- The Archer
- Osgoode Hall
- Canada Life Building
- Four Seasons Performing Centre
- Barbara Hepworth – Parent 1
- TD Centre
- Commerce Court
- Allen Lambert Galleria
- Hockey Hall of Fame
June 24, 2008 at 2:35 am
A very interesting tour, I’ve always wanted to walk around Toronto and explore. Listening to Phil is like learning from a college professor, very knowledgeable and well spoken. The St. James Cathedral was my favourite, which made me think of the contradictions: an old church occupying an huge piece of property, (compared to the Mariners Church in Detroit surrounded by skyscrapers), and the RBC Dominion Securities building preserved inside a mall.It’s as if the city is saying we will preserve the historical buildings to a point, but progress is a necessity. It is obvious that Toronto does value it’s heritage.
June 27, 2008 at 3:27 am
I guess Toronto does value it’s heritage, but to a point. If it doesn’t cost too much. I thought the Toronto Dominion Centre’s plaza was totally hemmed in from the original expansive space. Adding the extra skyscrapers in the “unused” space really changed the whole feel of the plaza.
Anyway Phil’s presentation was an eye opener. I don’t think I’ll look at downtown Toronto the same way again.
July 28, 2008 at 2:33 am
Thanks for a great tour Phil, it was informative and enjoyable. Learned more about Toronto; and listening to you one can see how strongly you feel about this city and its spaces and structures. I really enjoyed the old buildings, the “painting” on the back of the flatiron building, the parks and the story about the opera building.
Keep up the good work, looking forward to more tours.