Construction on this iconic landmark began in 1914 amidst a materials shortage during World War I, but the station didnt officially open until 1927. Since then, Union Station has waves of immigrants to Toronto, survived a major fire, and endured more than 90 years of wear and tear.
Union Station was designed in the grand manner of the cole des in Paris It was built by Canadian Pacific Railway and Grand Trunk Railway at a time when a railway station was viewed as the gateway to a city, Union Station was the largest and most opulent train station erected in Canada during the last great phase in railway station construction.
The Royal York hotel opened its doors on June 11, 1929. It was the tallest building in the British Commonwealth and quickly set the hospitality standard of the day. The magnificent hotel became known as a city within a city, rising in 28 floors of architectural splendor
It boasted 1,048 rooms – each with radios, private showers and bathtubs. The 1.5 acres of public rooms included a hospital, library and ten ornate passenger elevators. The Concert Hall featured a full stage and mammoth pipe organ weighing 50 tons, which surpassed anything else in Canada with 300 miles of copper wire. There was a roof garden, the largest hotel kitchen in Canada with a bakery that could produce over 15,000 French rolls a day, a switchboard manned by 35 telephone operators, its own bank and golf course.
Roy Thomson Hall first opened its doors in 1982. Designed by architect Arthur Erickson, it is considered a cultural and architectural icon in the heart of Torontos entertainment district. Its circular architectural design exhibits a sloping and curvilinear glass exterior. It was designed by Canadian architects. Itzhak Perlman the violinist, conductor, and music teacher acted as a special advisor to the architects on accessibility needs for disabled performers and guests.
Metro Hall was opened in November 1992 to serve as headquarters of the Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto. The ground, second and third floors are public areas, while floors four to twenty seven house some City departments.
Inscribed on the monument are the names of 100 people who died whilst at work in the 99 years between 1901 and 2000. The statue of a worker who has been placed to look as though he were building the wall itself, is wearing safety gear and this introduces the idea of hope to the monument.
CN Tower - Standing at a height of 1,815 feet (553 metres), it was the worlds tallest freestanding structure until 2007, when it was surpassed by the Burj in Dubai.
Construction of CN Tower began in February 1973 and involved more than 1,500 workers; the tower in February 1974, and the attachment of its antenn a was finished in April 1975. First opened to the public on June 26, 1976, CN Tower was built by Canadian National Railway
Company, was initially privately owned, but ownership of the tower was transferred to the Canadian government in 1995; it is now managed by a public corporation. CN Tower is by far Torontos most distinctive landmark.
Another interesting tour and if you were wondering about the figure on the bench outside the broadcasting studio it is Glenn Gould one of Torontos most famous classical musicians.
