The Union Building is an older building in Toronto that has been described as an "architectural gem".[1] When it was built, in 1908, on the Northwest corner of King and Simcoe streets, it was directly across from the palatial official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/The_Canadian_General_Electric_Company_Building_212_King_Street_West%2C_Toronto%2C_ON_M5H_1K5%2C_Canada.jpg/220px-The_Canadian_General_Electric_Company_Building_212_King_Street_West%2C_Toronto%2C_ON_M5H_1K5%2C_Canada.jpg)
The six story structure was built on a site that was originally part of the home of Upper Canada College.[2] The building was designed by the firm Darling and Pearson, and was originally known as the Canadian General Electric Company Building.[3] A seventh floor and copper clad mansard roof was added in the 1980s.[1]
In 2010 City of Toronto government staff recommended the building be granted heritage protection under the Ontario Heritage Act.[4] The building had been listed on the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties since 2007.
In December 2020, a 1,017 ft. (310 m) addition to the Union Building was proposed with a planned completion date of 2026. If it is built, it will become one of the tallest buildings in Canada.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b Doug Taylor (2013). "Toronto's architectural gems—the Union Building on King St". Taylor on History. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
- ^ "Heritage property research and evaluation report: Union Building" (PDF). City of Toronto government. 2010-07-13. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
- ^ "Toronto". Ulysses Travel Guides. 2005. p. 98. ISBN 9782894646625. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
- ^ "King Street West Properties – Intention to Designate under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act and Amendment of Designating By-law" (PDF). City of Toronto government. 2010-07-13. Retrieved 2015-05-08.
- ^ "SHoP Architects unveils a mixed-use supertall tower in Toronto". The Architect’s Newspaper. 2020-12-11. Retrieved 2020-12-16.
External links
edit- Media related to 212 King Street West, Toronto at Wikimedia Commons