Brookfield Place | TD Canada Trust Tower | Bay Wellington Tower

[Bibi L]

I made this thread to discuss or post pics of Brookfield Place.
This thread will follow the same format as the 25 The Esplanade thread, we’ll first talk about the information about the complex, then move onto archive pictures of the architectural models, construction pictures, interior and exterior photos.
First, we’ll talk about the information about it.
Brookfield Place in Toronto was originally known as BCE Place. (Bell Canada Enterprises) The complex has two towers, TD Canada Trust Tower, a 53-story office tower, 261m in height (originally just Canada Trust Tower), Bay-Wellington Tower, a 49-story office tower, 207m in height, and several heritage buildings preserved in the complex, including 20/22 Front St W, which was built in 1923. In the 1980s, 4 floors were added. This isn’t the only time this building has been built on top of, as it is currently being proposed by Brookfield, to build a 52-story residential tower on top of it, 173.82m in height, obscuring the iconic TD Canada Trust Tower and Gooderham Flatiron building view. But it doesn’t end there, because in the late 80s, around the same time as the construction for the other towers, they also proposed to build on top of it, known as Phase III. That proposal however, would’ve fit in to the complex better, as the architecture would not be as different as the current proposal. The complex also features an atrium, known as Allen Lambert Galleria, connecting both towers, and an underground food court concourse level connected with the PATH. The atrium was designed by Santiago Calatrava. On the east end of the atrium, you will see Sam Pollock Square, with a fountain in the middle. The whole complex was proposed in 1986, and construction began in 1987. The whole complex finished in 1991. The first tower to be completed was TD Canada Trust Tower, in 1990. Bay Wellington Tower finished in 1991. Apparently, the design of TD Canada Trust Tower incorporates numerous setbacks due to a survey asking employees about their preferences for office space. The most requested features were large windows and corner suites. As a result, these setbacks allow for up to 16 corner offices on certain floors. TD Canada Trust Tower & Bay-Wellington Tower were designed by Bregman + Hamann Architects, and Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. The complex is bordered by Front St, Yonge St, Bay St, and Wellington St. TD Canada Trust Tower has the address of 161 Bay St, while Bay-Wellington Tower has the address of 181 Bay St.
Moving on from information, we will first start off with the architectural models of the complex. Similar to 25 The Esplanade, we will notice differences between the models, and final design.
(Sources for photos posted at the bottom)
Starting off with the model of both towers. Here we can see clear differences from the final design and the model. Bay- Wellington tower would have had a spire. It seems TD Canada Trust Tower does not have any differences, apart from the tip of the spire appearing taller here. Bay-Wellington tower would have also had two windows protruding outwards, instead of one protruding inwards down the middle, on the south and north facades.

Here, we see how phase 3 would have looked like. I think I’d rather take this proposal rather than the current one…

Here we see the park. This photo might be flipped, as it appears that TD Canada Trust Tower is on the right, instead of the left. We should be seeing 22 Front on the right.

Before we start with any construction photos, here in this picture, we are looking south towards Front St. This photo will be interesting after we look at the next photo.

Now, in this picture, we are standing at the same spot as before, although we are actually standing closer south, as in the other picture we were actually standing at Wellington St. This picture is taken from the Devin-Lee Courtyard of the complex! Parking lot to park.

In this picture, we are standing on Yonge St & Front St, looking west. Here we see 22 Front. This is before they built on top of it.

Here we are on Yonge St, looking north towards Wellington St. This is before the entrance to Sam Pollock Square. These buildings were preserved.

Here we are looking south-west towards Yonge St, from Wellington St. Also taken before construction of the complex.

Here, we are on Bay St & Front St, looking north. On the right, that’s where TD Canada Trust Tower would be standing right now, but in this picture, this is well before they started construction for it. We see the Admiral Appliances building. This building was demolished to make way for Brookfield Place, along with another building, known as Credit Foncier.

On 4/15/1982, the Admiral Appliances sign was taken down. Original Toronto Star caption: “Sign of the times: After serving as a landmark for 30 years; the old; familiar Admiral Television Appliances sign; graced at night by two twinkling stars; was dismantled from its historic perch at Bay and Front Sts. yesterday.”
End of an era. Wonder why they preserved most of the other buildings but not this one?

Similar viewpoint as the photo before above the Toronto Star report. Here we have a clearer view of the Admiral building.

On Bay St, looking north, from north of Front St.

Similar view as the photo above, we see Brookfield Place completed here.

In this picture, we see the demolition for the remaining buildings on the corner of Front, Bay & Wellington. The Credit Foncier building was later demolished, as noted above.

This is only part one! If you’re interested, stay tuned for part two. There is a 15 attachment limit. It may take some time, as I have to do a lot of research, and finding all these pictures and putting them in order. We’ll get to the actual construction progress soon, but currently we are looking at proposals and demolitions. If you’re interested in these kind of threads, go check out 25 The Esplanade.

Sources for pictures: ACO Toronto, City of Toronto Archives, TPL Digital Archive (Toronto Star Archives)

 

[Bibi L]

Part two.
This part will continue part one.
In this picture, we are standing on Front St, looking north towards Yonge St. This is the Hockey Hall of Fame. The building was formerly the Bank of Montreal. Built in 1885, it was the only building on the block that survived the Great Fire of Toronto in 1904.

In this picture, taken on Yonge St, looking west on Front St, we see the CN Tower under construction. We also see 22 Front, without its 80s addition.

This picture, taken after the construction of the complex (the only thing to be finished are the windows for the HHOF) shows how 22 Front looks after its 80s addition.

Yonge & Front, looking north.

From a similar angle as the photo above, you can see the difference after Brookfield Place was finished.

In this older photo, from 1959, we see a building on the left, that has been demolished.

In this picture, taken sometime before 1903, shows the buildings on Front, looking east. This is before 22 Front was built.

Looking east towards Yonge.

Sometime 1950s.

Aerial view of the area. You can see the land for 22 Front and Admiral building are empty. This is before they were built. We also have a clear view of the building next to the Hockey Hall of Fame (formerly Bank of Montreal) that was demolished, along with many other buildings on the block.

From Yonge, looking north towards Front. We see a row of buildings, most have been demolished. We can see 22 Front and the Admiral building.

This is the RBC Dominion Securities building. This is the heritage building inside the atrium that you see. The facade of this building was preserved and moved into the atrium from its original spot.

As we can see here. The photo above shows the building next to a street with cars. This photo shows the same building, inside the atrium. It was moved.

This is the end of part two. But not the end of this thread. Part three will continue part one and two.

 

[Bibi L]

Part three.
Continuing the history of the the RBC Dominion Securities building, which was originally constructed in 1845 by the Commercial Bank of the Midland District and designed by architect William Thomas. It initially served as the bank's branch office in Toronto. At that time, Kingston, Ontario, where the Commercial Bank was headquartered, aimed to become Canada's primary political and financial hub. However, Toronto eventually surpassed Kingston in these regards, although the bank did not survive to capitalize on Toronto's growing prosperity. Subsequently, in 1868, the building was acquired by the Merchant's Bank of Canada, which later merged with the Bank of Montreal. During World War I, the offices of Clarkson, Gordon and Dilworth were housed in the building until 1969. Today, the building's façade has been meticulously restored to its original 1845 appearance. The restoration process involved carefully dismantling and reconstructing the façade stone by stone. Originally located at 13-15 Wellington Street, the building now stands just south of its original location, as we saw in the above photos from the archives before the construction of Brookfield Place.

Sources for pictures at the bottom.

Wellington St, looking south-east towards the RBC Dominion Securities building. This is before it was deconstructed and reconstructed south of its current location. The building to the right of it appears to have been demolished.

This has been demolished.

This was taken before they took it down stone by stone and reconstructed it.

This is after they reconstructed it in the atrium.

Taken on Wellington St, looking west, towards Credit Foncier.

Finally, let’s look at the construction process! First tower to break ground was TD Canada Trust Tower. Original Toronto Star caption: “Tightly built office towers are a hazard to the health of workers; experts say”

Corner of Bay & Front, looking east towards TD Canada Trust Tower. Note how it was called “Canada Trust Tower”, as this was before TD Bank acquired Canada Trust.

Corner of Wellington & Yonge. You can see TD Canada Trust Tower rising above the heritage buildings.

Iconic view in the making. Original Toronto Star caption: “Skyline makes room for one more. Downtown Toronto's latest landmark; the 55-storey Canada Trust Tower; climbs against the crowded skies on the northeast corner of Bay and Front Sts. The tower is part of BCE Place; an $800 million development that will house several new offices.”

Sam Pollock Square under construction.

That’s a wrap for part three. Part four coming soon.
Sources for pictures: City of Toronto Archives, TPL Digital Archive

 

[Bibi L]

Part four.
Continuing construction of the complex.
Atrium under construction.

TD Canada Trust Tower.
This photo was taken from 25 The Esplanade in 6/27/1989. Original Toronto Star caption: “BCE Place; under construction at Front and Bay Sts. in Toronto; is part of $2.1 billion in real estate held by BCE Development. The Reichmann family's Olympia and York Developments wants it all.“

This was taken when TD Canada Trust Tower finished, but when Bay-Wellington Tower was still under construction. 8/23/1990. Original Toronto Star caption: “Age before beauty? Some of Toronto's gracious old buildings seem to overshadow newer additions. At left, the clock tower of St. Lawrence Hall, from this angle, dominates the Canada Trust Tower of BCE Place.”

Same date as the photo above, but from this angle we can see Bay-Wellington Tower under construction. Original Toronto Star caption: “Age before beauty? Some of Toronto's gracious old buildings seem to overshadow newer additions. At left, the clock tower of St. Lawrence Hall, from this angle, dominates the Canada Trust Tower of BCE Place. Middle, the spire of St. Michael's Cathedral seems to rise above the Eaton Centre's Dundas Tower. At right, the Flat Iron building at Front and Wellington Sts. divides BCE's Canada Trust tower and the unfinished second phase.“

Taken in 7/12/1991, the complex is almost complete.

Taken from Commerce Court North. The complex has finished construction. In the middle, Bay-Wellington Tower, to the right, TD Canada Trust Tower, on the far right, Commerce Court West, on the left, 25 The Esplanade.

Pictures of the heritage buildings after construction of the complex. You can compare how they were before construction.

This is before construction started. On the left, next to HHOF, you will see an empty lot, where a building used to stand, now, that’s where the entrance for Sam Pollock Square is.

The entrance for Brookfield. Before this, it was empty, as we saw in the photo above. Before that however, was another building, which for some reason was demolished.

After construction.

Also after construction.

That’s it for part four.
Part five, coming soon.

 

[innsertnamehere]

This is one of the first times the City did heritage retention in development, right?

 

[officedweller]

Anyone remember the mini TD Centre clone on the corner?

Taken on Wellington St, looking west, towards Credit Foncier.

View attachment 575386

Finally, let’s look at the construction process! First tower to break ground was TD Canada Trust Tower. Original Toronto Star caption: “Tightly built office towers are a hazard to the health of workers; experts say”

View attachment 575382

 

[Bibi L]

Anyone remember the mini TD Centre clone on the corner?

Yes, that’s the Credit Foncier building I mentioned.

This is one of the first times the City did heritage retention in development, right?

I’m not sure.

 

[Rascacielo]

This is one of the first times the City did heritage retention in development, right?

I think so. The only other large-scale heritage retention from the same or earlier period I can think of is Queen's Quay Terminal.