6/05/2013

Yonge and Queen

Yesterday I happened upon the "Urban Toronto" web site, and read an article about the construction planned for the NW corner of Yonge and Queen.
It seems that Cadillac Fairview (owners of the Eaton Centre) have submitted an application to the City of Toronto to build a 69 story rental tower at this busy intersection.


According to the writer of this article, the tower will contain 580 rental suites, with a bicycle parking space for each unit. Interesting.....no spaces for cars!

They also plan to provide better access to the Queen Street subway station; plus it will connect to the Eaton Centre (of course).
The application states that the heritage building will be restored and integrated with the new tower (see the picture above).


 Attributed to Octavius Thompson.
Albumen print.
Toronto Public Library


In the mid 1850's there was another building at this location (see picture above). 
It was for agriculture-related businesses, such as James Fleming & Co., a well-known seed merchant.

By 1880, Philip Jamieson, a merchant tailor, had a store in the building, and eventually he built the Jamieson Building in 1897. 
It was designed by Toronto architects Samuel Curry and Francis S. Baker.
 

The following is excerpted from the City of Toronto Heritage Designation p.d.f.

"The heritage attributes of the Philip Jamieson Building related to its design value are: 
  • The 4 1/2 story plan with a cornice and parapet along the flat roof line 
  • The uniform fenestration (proportioning and design of windows) in the second and fourth stories, with flat-headed openings in the second and third floors, as well as elaborate round-arched openings in the upper story.
  • The terra cotta trim on the third and fourth floors
  • In the attic level, the small rectangular window openings placed above a stone band course".
  • The first floor storefronts have been altered and are not included.
It is a surviving example of a late 19th century commercial building with Classical detailing.

As well, the rounded corner is a unique highlight of the building design.

Over the years, the building's tenants have been H. Knox & Co., Woolworth's, Tower records, Good Life Fitness, Coast Mountain Sports, and presently, it is home to Atmosphere.

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