Toronto skyline

[3Dementia]

Exceptional work Jack... mesmerizing, lyrical... wanted more!

 

[Armour]

Wexford Cemetery, southwest corner Lawrence and Victoria Park Avenues, looking southwest toward Toronto (1955).

Perhaps this can be moved to another thread (maybe then and now). Kris, perhaps you could snap a current photo (since you're in the area and have a telephoto lens)?

It's hard to believe that Commerce Court was the tallest building in the city 60 years ago.

Toronto Public Library

 

[bgobgo]

^^^ Well this is what it looks like on the most recent image from Google Streetview in May 2015. Bit of a change.

 

[Koolgreen]

Is the cemetery still there?

 

[Goldie]

Excellent find, Armour.
And, at that time, the Bank of Commerce Tower (32 stories) was the tallest building in the British Empire.
Here'a a little more detail:

 

[Armour]

Is the cemetery still there?

Yes (though it doesn't quite look like that anymore). Here is some information: http://torontoplaques.com/Pages/Wexford_Cemetery.html

I believe there was also a cemetery at the old Christian Brothers' College that stood on what is currently Ranchdale Park. Apparently the bodies were disinterred when the college was demolished in 1970.

Here are some pictures of the building for reference:

Brother Lewis McCoshan; 88; stands by one of the survey stakes marking the limits of the 50 acres and 18-year-old Christian Brothers College which has been sold to land developers. It's part of the former Maryvale farm off Victoria Park Ave. Most of brothers will move to Providence Villa.

Brother Leo in front of the Christian Brothers' College. He heads 300 Brothers across Canada; Order was set up to teach boys only; but spread of co-educational schools has forced it to compromise.

July 22, 1965

 

[Goldie]

Yes (though it doesn't quite look like that anymore). Here is some information: http://torontoplaques.com/Pages/Wexford_Cemetery.html

Here's the Wexford Cemetery today (Aug, 12, 2016).
CN Tower is visible , but the old, still-remaining Bank of Commerce tower is well-hidden behind many taller structures.

 

[Jasonzed]

https://www.flickr.com/photos/7119320@N05/

 

[Jasonzed]

 

[Red October]

It's amazing for such a major urban street how (relatively) low-rise Spadina is between Spadina Crescent and Queen(ish).

 

[wolfewood]

It's amazing for such a major urban street how (relatively) low-rise Spadina is between Spadina Crescent and Queen(ish).

Shockingly to many, urbanity can be more than rows of supertall buildings. Personally I find there's a better, urban feel along streets like Spadina, College, Queen etc. than in the core. The core has tall buildings but might as well be suburban in terms of retail. The buildings might be shorter but the streetcar suburbs of the city feel just as urban (or have a more ideal urbanity for me).

 

[Red October]

I'm not saying I dislike it, because I don't. I would just have expected it to be more mid-rise/developed at least by now.

 

[steveve]

Thursday:

 

[old boy]

Thursday:

For me, this is one of the least appealing pictures of the skyline I've seen. I guess I'm used to seeing the city in a better light.

 

[Jasonzed]