Designed by architectural firm, Baldwin & Greene, the building was completed in 1928. The mosiacs around the entrance were completed by Group of Seven artist J E H MacDonald and his son Thoreau.
The mosiacs around the under-side of the arch portray themes of transport, industry and nature. The rectangular panel above the door also bears thems of flora and fauna plus the sun, stars and a rainbow. In the bottom left corner the artists initials and the year 'J.E.H.M '28'.
According to Tim Morawetz in his recently published Art Deco Architecture in Toronto the future of this skyscraper is in doubt due to a May 2000 vote by the Toronto City Council gave a developer the right to demolish all but the bottom three storeys. Hopefully in the past 9 years opinions have changed and the Concourse Building will live on for many more years with its distinctive, colourful roofline.
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Hey, this building is so cool. Hopefully it will stay the way it is for a long time. It's nice to see those bright colors among all the dark, gray, buildings in this area. Best wishes, Elli.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope so Elli. Thanks for dropping by, David
ReplyDeleteNB: the "mountains" on the lower spandrels were removed a few years ago, and were due to be replaced. Haven't been replaced yet (perhaps due to the limbo the whole Richmond-Adelaide parcel's in)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the extra info Adam. I hope they get replaced.
ReplyDeleteAm I mistaken that the Concourse Building has been approved for domolition?
ReplyDeleteHi Dianne,
ReplyDeleteYes, according to Tim Morawetz in his recently published Art Deco Architecture in Toronto all but the bottom 3 storeys of this building was approved for demolition in 2000.