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Commerce and Transportation Building, Bay and Front Streets, Toronto

Description

Full Text

THE COMMERCE AND TRANSPORTATION BUILDING

BAY and FRONT STREETS, TORONTO

Toronto's most modern building and the only one of its kind in Canada is now in operation and its activities are in full swing. The major portion of the building is already rented and new tenants are moving in rapidly.

This building was financed by "Canada's Oldest Bond House"—G. A. Stimson & Co. Limited, who, through their executive and branch offices, distributed the securities all over Canada.

The plan of financing adopted by G. A. Stimson & Co. Limited, which introduced the idea that investors in building enterprises should share in the profits as well as receive a definite rate of interest, called forth criticism from many competitors who went to great lengths to prevent the successful financing and erection of the building. In this they were supported by parties Interested in the importation of building materials of U. S. manufacture, as the sponsors of the Commerce and Transportation Building made a point of insisting upon the use of Canadian manufactured building material. While the combined attacks of these allied interests, aided from time to time by publications receiving their advertising, added to the difficulties of financing and erecting this beautiful monument to Canadian enterprise, they failed in their purpose as may be seen from the above illustrations.

Excavation commenced Jan. 12, 1928, and building proceeded steadily forward to its completion.

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The steam shovel began its work of excavation on January 12th, 1928.

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This illustration shows the early concrete work on March 10th, 1928.

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Concrete work proceeded steadily upward as shown above. April l0th, 1928.

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In July the work had continued up to the 6th floor. At this time the stone and brick work was pretty well advanced

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The building in August last year had proceeded on the schedule time.

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October 1st, 1928. the stone and brick work was almost completed. Heavier interior installations were also in place at this time.

Media Type

Text

Image

Newspaper

Item Types

Architectural drawings

Clippings

Description

Newspaper clipping with article about the Commerce and Transportation Building at Bay Street at Front Street West, Toronto which was designed by N. A. Armstrong Co., Ltd., with more details on its financing and construction phases. The architectural drawing in centre is surrounded by six small pictures showing different stages of construction in chronological order.

Newspaper clipping with colour photographs; measures 25.3 x 33 cm. Unknown publication. Undated but probably 1929 after the building was finished in 1928 ["The building in August last year had proceeded on the schedule time."]
From Armstrong family collection.

Notes

ARMSTRONG, Norman Alexander (1882-1957) was a prolific designer of residential and commercial buildings in the Toronto area. Born in Queenston, Ont. on 2 September 1882 he attended public and high schools in Niagara Falls and gained his knowledge of architecture with the Toronto architect J.W. Siddall.
Upon his return from United States to Toronto in 1919 he opened his own office called the N.A. Armstrong Company Ltd., specializing in engineering and architectural projects. Throughout the 1920's and 1930's Armstrong adapted to changing tastes in design as he offered his residential clients a variety of schemes in Tudor, Colonial or Georgian Revival styles.
An exceptional yet underrated work from this period is the International Harvester Co. Showroom, Bathurst Street, Toronto (1939), with its refined detailing executed in brick, art stone and plate glass.
Active until the early 1950's Armstrong turned over much of the work in his office to his son William G., and died at Toronto on 4 May 1957.
SOURCE (and more on his projects): http://dictionaryofarchitectsincanada.org/node/58

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