[adma]

Then again, the way the Royal York's gotten hemmed in and skyline-blocked, it's less and less easy to "notice" the asymmetry...

 

[Earlscourt_Lad]

Great minds think alike. I'd consider demolishing that addition for a taller tower set back from the landmark original building to restore the symmetry, ensure there's enough space between the new tower and the original building to maximize the original's aesthetic impact, and obviously to make money.

Certainly they need to think about a major renovation, and that might not be a terrible idea. I've found the rooms seem very tired and dated, especially in comparison with the new competition in the Ritz, Shangri-La, etc.

 

[CityPlaceN1]

Cool harbour front shots. So much space before the Gardiner showed up.

 

[thecharioteer]

1930's:

 

[DSC]

Great picture - where does it come from?

 

[thecharioteer]

Great picture - where does it come from?

http://chuckmanothercollectionvolume5.blogspot.ca/2010/06/postcard-toronto-skyline-roundhouse.html

 

[thecharioteer]

And for junctionist and Uncle Teddy, from the TPL (1929):

 

[thecharioteer]

Of course, symmetry is just one aspect of design. E. J. Lennox at the King Edward Hotel designed a symmetrical façade around the King Street main entrance, but then added the cylindrical corner element at Victoria Street which added a nice asymmetrical touch. This harmony was brutally changed with the 1922 addition.

1903:

1922 Addition:

From the Naylor fonds, 1973-1983:

 

[adma]

Interesting that the King Eddy tower-as-built is far less ornate than originally mooted--a plain brick shaft, no quoins, nothin' (and further aggravated through cornice/balcony removal)

 

[dbailey62]

I've always disliked that addition to the Royal York because it ruined the symmetry of the original building.

Agreed. They also cheaped out on some of the minor flourishes.

I do seem to recall reading that there had once been a plan for a north wing but they lost out on the land at some point in time and the extension to the east was their only option. Seems logical. Confirmation anybody?

 

[J T CUNNINGHAM]

"I do seem to recall reading that there had once been a plan for a north wing but they lost out on the land at some point in time and the extension to the east was their only option."
QUOTE: dbailey62.

The only buildings that I remember being on the north side of Piper Street were The Toronto Club, (s/e corner of Wellington & York) and

The Royal York's, if indeed it was The Royal York's own garage, to it's east. The Toronto Club would not want to move, so that would leave

a parking problem for the hotel during construction. This would later be limited as "redevelopment" provided more parking space, especially

when the garage itself was sold with the East Wing already having been built beforehand.


Regards,
J T

 

[DSC]

Two views of Broadview and Gerrard. 1911 and 2013

Third photo from Steve Munro`s website.

 

[adma]

Interesting reminder that what appears to be a solid "block" is actually a series of de facto "units" within a common envelope--presumably for fireproofing purposes (and here we have it demonstrated for us)

 

[adma]

Agreed. They also cheaped out on some of the minor flourishes.

Though to be fair, what appears to be "cheaping out" is actually a *splurge* by late 50s standards. (The "cheaping out" is more apparent inside, where the upper-level public/convention spaces in the addition are pure Khruschev-Nixon-era blah.)

 

[thecharioteer]

King Edward Hotel: Interesting how underneath that banal 1950's canopy remained the remnants of the original 1903 portico:







http://chuckmantorontonostalgia.fil...king-edward-hotel-street-level-view-early.png