[Tewder]

1905 vision for the waterfront:

'Vision' is right. That the idea of an outstanding public space on the central waterfront has elluded recent city planners makes one wonder where the vision went.

 

[wwwebster]

The never-ending controversy of Toronto’s waterfront, as addressed in the August 1889 issue of Canadian Architect and Builder:

“A people that would quietly submit to such wholesale expropriation, without protest, followed by action, would not be deserving of even the right to have a look at the water of the bay across the railway tracks.â€

http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/cab/Volume 2/Issue 8/v2n8p87.gif

http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/cab/Volume 2/Issue 8/v2n8p88.gif

http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/cab/Volume 2/Issue 8/v2n8p89.gif

 

[J T CUNNINGHAM]

"makes one wonder where the vision went." QUOTE Tewder.


The "vision", went into the Toronto Bay soup along with the 70s "Planes + Boats + Trains", jingle that was a Fed/City Government run scheme.

My thoughts are that the ensuing land was just too valuable to allow the great unwashed to enjoy the "park"; condos/business pay more tax.

Regards,
J T

 

[thecharioteer]

However, the drawings are somewhat coy in not emphasizing that a large swath of land is allocated for train-tracks east and west of Union Station, with York Street bridging the tracks as opposed to going underneath. Interesting that the major public gesture is a realtively small park at the foot of York. Not exactly Burnham's Chicago......

 

[thecharioteer]

The never-ending controversy of Toronto’s waterfront, as addressed in the August 1889 issue of Canadian Architect and Builder:

“A people that would quietly submit to such wholesale expropriation, without protest, followed by action, would not be deserving of even the right to have a look at the water of the bay across the railway tracks.â€

http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/cab/Volume 2/Issue 8/v2n8p87.gif

http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/cab/Volume 2/Issue 8/v2n8p88.gif

http://digital.library.mcgill.ca/cab/Volume 2/Issue 8/v2n8p89.gif

Fascinating article with the rather bizarre suggestion that the tracks be raised 32 feet to somehow preserve the city's connection to the lake. One wonders why no one contemplated lowering the tracks like this image of New York in the 1920's (from http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2008/07/page/2/) showing trains, multiple subway lines and surface street-cars all operating in harmony:

 

[J T CUNNINGHAM]

"One wonders why no one contemplated lowering the tracks" QUOTE thecharioteer.

Both Marc and I K Brunel were long dead by this tyme.

Regards,
J T

 

[thecharioteer]

Nice snag! Dare I ask what it cost?

I got mine as a present from my brother-in-law (who got it years ago at the St. Lawrence Market antique market).

I see there's a copy available on-line from the UK on Alibris for C$37.66 (http://www.alibris.com/booksearch.d...one+hundred+glimpses+of+toronto&qsort=&page=1)

 

[wwwebster]

I got mine as a present from my brother-in-law...

Very nice! Not long ago a buddy of mine was at a flea market in Prince Edward County and he snagged me a copy of G. Mercer Adam’s Toronto Old and New:

http://www.archive.org/details/torontooldnew00adamuoft

…first published in 1891, though mine is a 1974 Coles reprint. It contains the only photo I’ve ever seen of Parliament Street Baptist Church.

Thanks for the info from Alibris!

 

[J T CUNNINGHAM]

"though mine is a 1974 Coles reprint." QUOTE wwwebster.


Nothing wrong with a reprint. The reason for my buying a reprint of a book I already have is that

the original will stay in the bookcase safe and snug, while I peruse the later copy.

Regards,
J T

 

[Goldie]

Example of under-city railroad

Fascinating article with the rather bizarre suggestion that the tracks be raised 32 feet to somehow preserve the city's connection to the lake. One wonders why no one contemplated lowering the tracks like this image of New York in the 1920's (from http://ephemeralnewyork.wordpress.com/2008/07/page/2/) showing trains, multiple subway lines and surface street-cars all operating in harmony:

One need look no further than Montreal to see the successful burying of trains under the centre of the city.
It's simply amazing that a central core (PVM, etc.) was built above Montreal's railroad.
See attached photos:

 

[J T CUNNINGHAM]

"the successful burying of trains under the centre of the city." QUOTE Goldie.

He may not have been an engineer, as were the Brunels, but William Zeckendorf along with Canadian National RR

had the will, the cash, and knew how to use it.

Regards,
J T

 

[thecharioteer]

From "Construction" Magazine January 1914 (http://www.archive.org/stream/constructionjour07macduoft#page/30/mode/2up/search/king+street)

The old Central YMCA (College Street, between Yonge and Bay):

 

[Goldie]

The old Central YMCA (College Street, between Yonge and Bay):

That's one of Toronto's most historic landmarks because it's where Goldie met his soon-to-be-wife at a dance.

 

[Edward Skira]

Has your past life slowly disappeared? I proposed to my wife at Windows On The World at the top of the World Trade Centre - gone. Our wedding reception was held at Inn On The Park - gone. My kids were born at Woman's College Hospital. No longer in the baby business and soon to be gone.

 

[Goldie]

Has your past life slowly disappeared? I proposed to my wife at Windows On The World at the top of the World Trade Centre - gone. Our wedding reception was held at Inn On The Park - gone. My kids were born at Woman's College Hospital. No longer in the baby business and soon to be gone.

That's an interesting concept, Ed007. ---- the buildings with which our lives were associated.
I may do a graphic to illustrate my "building autobiography."
For example, my birthplace still exists, but one of the office buildings in which I worked is now a Mormon Church!