A Perpetual Fascination with Canada’s Metropolis
One of our more persistent photographic intrigues over the years captures the expansion, beauty, and diversity of our hometown, Toronto.
Few cities - at least in the Americas - have displayed as much infrastructure, residential, and commercial growth as Toronto has in the 21st century. Put simply, its population is exploding whilst the skyline undergoes a dramatic facelift, and with this comes the inherent adaptation its some five million inhabitants must endure. It truly is a unique situation to observe, and we find ourselves constantly rewarded with new discoveries each day. It is for these reasons that we have found ourselves enamoured with the intricacies of Canada’s metropolis; Toronto is such a dynamic city in all regards, and we cannot ignore its fast-changing future.
To us, the following portfolio inspects some of the most fundamentally Torontonian characteristics... Plus a few cliches.
We will continue to eagerly look forward to the changing face of Toronto in the coming years, and, in the meantime, we implore all to take a peek at the personality of their own hometown - who knows what one might find.
Thanks,
Robson and David
Turn of the decade, Toronto financial district December 2019 - Photo by Robson Smith
Turn of the decade, Toronto financial district December 2019: a nightime worm's-eye-view of Canada's financial heart.
Home to Canada's banks and investment community, this bustling centre has matured to highlight architectural styles from turn of last century (arc deco base of buildings) to globally designed skyacrapers epitomizing classic designs from virtually every recent decade. In fact, every decade since the '60 finds its place in this dense cluster of towers. The notable towers, in clockwise fashion from the top right, are as follows: TD Tower (731ft), TD Earnst & Young Tower (437ft), Commerce Court West (784ft), Commerce Court North (476ft behind West tower), Scotia Tower (902ft), Bay Adelaide East (643ft tucked in between the Scotia tower and following...), The St. Regis Hotel (previously Trump International Hotel at 908ft), Bay Adelaide West Tower (715ft), First Canadian Place (978ft - Canada's current tallest), and the TD North Tower (600ft). Truly, this group of ten neck-bending pillars of concrete and steel encapsulate the heartbeat of downtown and, broadly, the inspiration of srchitecture itself. So, from the closing of an eventful decade and to the onset of an optimistic new era, enjoy the image
Home to Canada's banks and investment community, this bustling centre has matured to highlight architectural styles from turn of last century (arc deco base of buildings) to globally designed skyacrapers epitomizing classic designs from virtually every recent decade. In fact, every decade since the '60 finds its place in this dense cluster of towers. The notable towers, in clockwise fashion from the top right, are as follows: TD Tower (731ft), TD Earnst & Young Tower (437ft), Commerce Court West (784ft), Commerce Court North (476ft behind West tower), Scotia Tower (902ft), Bay Adelaide East (643ft tucked in between the Scotia tower and following...), The St. Regis Hotel (previously Trump International Hotel at 908ft), Bay Adelaide West Tower (715ft), First Canadian Place (978ft - Canada's current tallest), and the TD North Tower (600ft). Truly, this group of ten neck-bending pillars of concrete and steel encapsulate the heartbeat of downtown and, broadly, the inspiration of srchitecture itself. So, from the closing of an eventful decade and to the onset of an optimistic new era, enjoy the image
A stunning twilight vista of the Toronto waterfront - Photo by Robson Smith
A stunning twilight vista of the Toronto waterfront, skyscrapers, and illuminated CN Tower as seen from Ward's Island, spring 2019. Note the streaking Bombardier DASH 8 Q400 aircraft on its final approach to the Toronto Billy Bishop Island Airport in the near night sky. As a rapidly growing city, Toronto's waterfront skyline will will be subject to considerable change in the near future; with the right (eatern-most) side of this image to be filled in with numerous skyscrapers over the next half dozen years, creating uniforminty in density arcoss the waterfront. Photo by Robson Smith - www.drsmithfoto.ca @drsmithfoto #drsmithfoto
Fall's Deadend Alleyway: a beautiful view of a quintessential Torontonian Cabbagtown micro-street - Photo by Robson Smith
Fall's Deadend Alleyway: a beautiful view of a quintessential Torontonian Cabbagtown micro-street, consisting of two adjacent 19-century style Victorian townhouses (to which the Toronto Cabbagetown is dubbed as having the "largest continuous area of preserved Victorian houses" in North America) joined by ancient maples boasting their majestic autumn colours during this stunning October 2019 day. Notice the red ivy constricting the lion's head and surrounding gate to the unknown in the foreground, a beautiful addition to such a character-rich area of Toronto. Indeed, Cabbagetown has matured to become one of Toronto's most awe-inspiring and admired neighbourhoods, originally named to recall the cabbages that grew on the lawns of early - and poor - residents of this unique community.
Ornate heritage facade in front of the Bay Wellington Tower - Photo by Robson Smith
Ornate heritage facade positioned adjacent to the Bay Wellington Tower of the Toronto Brookfield Place (formerly known as BCE Place). Constructed in the early 1990s, the BCE Place would maturen to become a truly iconic design among the countless skyscrapers of modern Toronto, and with two prominent skyscrapers, this title will be held for quite some time. Joining the Brookfield Place from a hundred years prior, these quintessential Toronto Victorian townhomes represent the monumental diversity of design in architecture that defines Canada’s metropolis in all regards. With the sheer beauty of architectural designs from decades, if not centuries, apart, this famous postmodern complex design by Bregman + Hamann Architects and neighbouring houses of old brings a quintessential Toronto vista. Enjoy the image!
A view at deconstruction of 1908 Southam Press Building to give rise to 612 foot tall - 19 Duncan building in Toronto - Photo by Robson Smith
Photo by Robson Smith - A view of the 19 Duncan Street Codominium building deconstruction phase of an existing heritage office building at Duncan & Adelaide Streets - Toronto's Entertainment District. Architects Hariri Pontarini and ERA Architects lead the transformation. Will be 57 storeys and 612 feet tall (186.5 metres) when completed. A facinating look at the remains of the current framing structure built now to support the buioriginal 100+ year old wall from the original Southam Press Building completed in 1908 and to be used for the bottom outside facade of the new condominium. In the background can be seen a multitude of new condominiuns including (from left to right); Mercer Street Condos, King Blue Condos, Festival Tower, Cinema Tower, Pinnacle on Adelaide, Peter Street Condos, The Bond, Tableau Condos, 330 Richmond Condos(crane ontop), and the Picasso Condos.
Tucked away in a city: a quiet view of the Yonge Street corridor in downtown Toronto - Photo by Robson Smith
Tucked away in a city: a quiet view of the Yonge Street corridor in downtown Toronto framed by the Sanctuary Church, now a community centre for the homeless. From one of the few remaining above ground parking lots in downtown, a unique sight of urban beauty is born. In the foregreound, The Sanctuary (a repurposed church) makes a prominent mark upon the neighbourhood of Charles Street East, and bordered by many neighbouring condominiums and apartments, the George Hislop Park provides a wonderful getaway from the noise and bustle of the city. This serenity quickly diminishes when one travels to Yonge Street, where numerous new builds now compete for territory on the horizon. There, in order from front to back, The Clover On Yonge is beginning to make its place known as it rises to a final 485ft height, Five St. Joseph Condos stands tall for the fourth year since completion, Wellesley On The Park completes its final few stories, and in the far distance, Karms, Aura, and YC Condos add to the density. With such lovely clouds overshadowing such urban beauty, enjoy the image! Photo by Robson Smith - www.drsmithfoto.ca @drsmithfoto #drsmithfoto
A changing look at the increasingly dynamic Toronto skyline, seen from the South Core neighbourhood - Photo by Robson Smith
A changing look at the increasingly dynamic Toronto skyline, seen from the South Core neighbourhood. Facing the famous Toronto Financial District, numerous classic towers can be seen, including (from left to right): TD Centre, First Canadian Place, RBC Plaza, St. Regis Hotel, Commerce Court West, TD Canada Trust Tower, Bay Wellington Tower, CIBC Square Phase One (under construction), 88 Scout, L Tower. In front of the golden RBC Plaza is the Scotia Bank arena, home of the Toronto Raptors - NBA champions 2019. Additionally, the foreground holds a parking lot soon to be replaced by a 60 story mega office tower to be known as "The HUB". This massive development will exceed the already impressive footprint of CIBC Square Phase One (and future phase 2) and represents the redevelopment of one of the last downtown street parking lots.
A March 2019 reflection of the CIBC Square Phase One development framed by the original eastern facade of the Toronto Postal Delivery Building - Photo by Robson Smith
CIBC Square Phase One framed by the original eastern facade of Canada Post's Toronto Postal Delivery Building, completed in 1941 and currently part of the Scotiabank Arena. This facade combines the fascinating architectural styles of Art Deco and Art Moderne. The plinth (base of the building) is formed partly by black granite, in which we see the reflection of CIBC Square. Towards the top of the image, note the bas relief carving, one of a series of 13 located on the east and south sides of the arena. Uniquely created by stone carver Louis Temporal Sr., one of Canada's foremost stone carvers, these carvings show the amazing history of Canadian transportation and communication. Photo by Robson Smith
Great Gulf's One Bloor East Condos designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects framed by Ron Arad's 31 meter tall Safe Hands sculpture - Photo by Robson Smith
Great Gulf's One Bloor East Condos designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects framed by Ron Arad's 31 meter tall Safe Hands sculpture. Uniquely constructed of stainless steel st the Streamliner Toronto fabrication studio of Stephen Richards, these two twisted and crushed columns approach each other but do not touch. Photo by Robson Smith - www.drsmithfoto.ca - #drsmithfoto - @drsmithfoto
A Torontonian juxtoposition of old and new, aging and youthful - Photo by Robson Smith
A Torontonaian juxtoposition of old and new, aging and youthful, grotty and pristine: facing south along Yonge Street in Toronto's core yields the dramatic transitions between architectures of yesterday and tomorrow, having both grown to define Canada's metropolis. In the foreground, typical to old Yonge Street, numerous restaurants of all ethnicities, bars, clothing stores, nail salons, and other unique businesses form another quintessential Toronto vista. Moving to the background, Toronto's unprecedented period of expansion is shown to conflict with the character of past centuries; 19th century victorian-influenced architecture and the new builds of (in order from front to back) Five Condos, Wellesley On The Park (crane), Karma Condos, and YC (Yonge at College) Condos collide as a startling contrast. In summary, where the old and sometimes decrepit (but always fascinating) meets tomorrow's future, a reflection of the peoples of Toronto is brought to fruition. Best yet, all this derives from the bottom kilometres of a 300 year old street, dubbed the world's longest.
Porter Airlines DASH 8-Q400 arriving at Toronto Billy Biship Island Airport, framed by The CN Tower at sunset, March 2019 - Photo by Robson Smith
Porter Airlines DASH 8-Q400 arriving at Toronto Billy Bishop Island Airport, framed by The CN Tower at sunset, March 2019. Viewed from Ward's Island on a glorious evening with Toronto's prominent waterfront skyline. Notable towers from left to right include: CN Tower, Ten York, ICE Condominiums, Harbour Plaza Residences. Photo by Robson Smith www.drsmithfoto.ca #drsmithfoto @drsmithfoto
Excavation completed at the residential section of Sugar Wharf condominiums Phase One - Photo by Robson Smith
Excavation completed at the residential section of Sugar Wharf condominiums Phase One. This Menkes Developments project is designed by architectsAlliance and will be comprised of two residential towers with retail facilities, each to rise 716ft (218m) and 755ft (230M) respectivly. Outside of this image and adjacent to these two skyscrapers, another Menkes project is underway as an office tower, architected by B+H Architects. Immediately behind the dig is the current LCBO's head office, soon the be demolished for Menkes' Sugar Wharf Condominiums Phase Two - an additional four skyscrapers, reaching upwards of 90 stories and 978ft (298m) - also designed by architectsAlliance. Facing west in the backaground and to the left of the CN Tower, we have a clasic Toronto cluster of modern condominium skyscrapers, including: Harbour Plaza Residences, Pinnacle Centre Condos, Maple Leaf Square Gardens. In front of the CN Tower and under active construction is phase one of the business CIBC Square, another massive development in the heart of Toronto. Photo by Robson Smith - www.drsmithfoto.ca @drsmithfoto #drsmithfoto
Mirrored Ascension: A unique view of Toronto's latest skyline addition - Photo by Robson Smith
Mirrored Ascension: A unique view of Toronto's latest skyline addition: Ivanhoe Cambridge's CIBS Square, set to rise over 700ft. From the original eastern facade of Canada Post's Toronto Postal Delivery Building, completed in 1941 and currently part of the Scotiabank Arena, this facade combines the facinating architectural styles of Art Deco and Art Moderne. The plinth (base of the building seen in this image) is formed partly by black granite, in which we see the reflection of CIBC Square. Towards the top of the image, note the bas relief carving, one of a series of 13 located on the east and south sides of the arena.
UPS and Go trains moving in front of The Well construction site with cranes - Photo by Robson Smith
UPS and Go trains moving in frront of The Well consturuction site with cranes. Photo by Robson Smith - www.drsmithfoto.ca
Old and New architecture off of Queen Street in Toronto during winter 2019 - Photo by Robson Smith
Old and New architecture off of Queen Street in Toronto during winter 2019. Background skyscrapers from left to right: Cinema Tower, The Bond, Peter Street Condos, and Picasso Condos - Photo by Robson Smith
