Architecture
Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO)
317 Dundas Street West, Toronto, Ontario M5T 1G4
www.ago.net
The Art Gallery of Ontario is creating a special space, designed by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry, and is currently under construction. When completed, the Art Gallery of Ontario will be showcasing 5,000 new works of art in 110 galleries. The Canadian galleries will more than double in size and overall viewing space for art will increase by 40 percent.
Photo credit: © Gehry International, Architects, Inc.
Royal Ontario Museum (ROM)
100 Queen’s Park, Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
www.rom.on.ca
The ambitious redevelopment of the ROM is one of the world's largest museum restoration and expansion projects. Through the restoration of the original heritage architecture and the construction of a new landmark building, all designed by Daniel Libeskind, and elegant new exhibit designs by Haley Sharpe Design, the Renaissance ROM project will create a spectacular new experience of our collections.
Photo credit: Royal Ontario Museum. © Sam Javanrouh, 2008.
Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD)
100 McCaul St., Level 2, Toronto, ON M5T 1W1
www.ocad.ca
In 2004 work was completed on a new expansion. The "Sharp Centre for Design", designed by architect Will Alsop, of Alsop Architects, in a joint venture with Toronto-based Robbie/Young + Wright Architects Inc. It consists of a box four stories off the ground supported by a series of multi-colored pillars at different angles. The $42.5 million expansion and redevelopment has received numerous awards, including the first-ever Royal Institute of British Architects Worldwide Award, the award of excellence in the "Building in Context" category at the Toronto Architecture and Urban Design Awards, and was deemed the most outstanding technical project overall in the 2005 Canadian Consulting Engineering Awards.
Photo credit: © Richard Johnson, interiorimages.ca.
CN Tower
301 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5V 2T6
www.cntower.ca
Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable and celebrated icon. At a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), it is Canada’s National Tower, the World's Tallest Building, an important telecommunications hub, and the centre of tourism in Toronto. Each year, approximately 2 million people visit the CN Tower to take in the breath-taking view and enjoy all the attractions it has to offer. The CN Tower was built in 1976 by Canadian National (CN) who wanted to demonstrate the strength of Canadian industry by building a tower taller than any other in the world. In 1995, the CN Tower became a public company and ownership of the Tower was transferred to Canada Lands (CLC) Company, a federal Crown corporation responsible for real estate development. Although the CN Tower inspires a sense of pride and inspiration for Canadians and a sense of awe for tourists, its origins are firmly rooted in practicality. The construction boom in Toronto in the 1960's transformed the skyline characterized by relatively low buildings into one dotted with skyscrapers. These new buildings caused serious communication problems. With its microwave receptors at 338 m (1,109 ft.) and 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches) antenna, the CN Tower swiftly solved the communication problems with room to spare. As a result people living in the Toronto area now enjoy some of the clearest reception in North America.
Casa Loma
1 Austin Ter, Toronto, ON M5R 1X8
www.casaloma.org
Visit Canada's Majestic Castle, Casa Loma and step back in time to a period of European elegance and splendor. The former home of Canadian financier Sir Henry Pellatt, Canada's foremost castle is complete with decorated suites, secret passages, an 800-foot tunnel, towers, stables, and beautiful 5-acre estate gardens (open May through October). A self-guided digital audio tour in 8 languages (English, French, Japanese, German, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin and Korean) is available.
Little Italy
When the sun sets, street signs illuminate in the shape of Italy’s “boot.” Little Italy is one of the hottest nightspots in Toronto. Many of the restaurants and bars open out onto the sidewalk, and some are places where the crowd goes to see and be seen.
Address: College St. between Euclid Ave and Shaw St. TTC: Queen's Park Station, then streetcar westbound
Nathan Philips Square
The Square is named for Nathan Phillips, who was Mayor of Toronto from 1955 to 1962. Mayor Phillips was an early supporter of the new City Hall and of the international design competition that was ultimately won by Finnish architect Viljo Revell. Nathan Phillips Square is the site of many civic activities and special events. A raised walkway leads from Nathan Phillips Square to City Hall's podium roof, where the Green Roofs Demonstration Project is located and flag raising ceremonies are held. In summer, tourists and locals alike congregate around the reflecting pool. In winter, the pool is transformed into a popular outdoor skating rink. Visitors can rent skates, use indoor change rooms, and enjoy a snack at the concession stand. Outdoor chess tables are available for public use on the southeast corner of the Square, at Bay and Queen Streets.
Address: a lively public gathering place located immediately in front of Toronto City Hall, on the northwest corner of Queen and Bay Streets.
The Berkeley Church
315 Queen St East Toronto, ON M5A 1S7
www.berkeleyevents.com
Built in 1871, this historical venue retains the church’s original floors and historic designs. The main floor of the 3,000-sqaure-foot venue features a large Victorian bar, fireplaces, and a 500-square-foot stage, and holds 800 people. An indoor/outdoor garden includes a gazebo and a fountain, and a new addition is in the field house, which holds 250 and features a private dining room that seats 20. Additionally, a large covered deck overlooks a river running through the property.
from top to bottom: View from Baillie Court. AGO photographer: Craig Boyko. © 2008 Art Gallery of Ontario,
