Toronto Architecture Guide: Top Styles

While Toronto may not be the most globally renowned city for legendary architecture, we are blessed with several iconic buildings. From the John Andrews designed CN Tower, the Michael Lee-Chin designed Crystal wing of the Royal Ontario Museum or Frank Gehry’s redesign of the Art Gallery of Ontario, we do have some awe-inspiring structures that are proclaimed across the globe.

In fact, Toronto is additionally home to a variety of beautiful and historic architectural styles. Here are our top picks for spectacular architectural styles to watch out for in the city:

Georgian Revival

The oldest home that is still standing in Toronto is from 1794.  It is a log cabin located in Exhibition Place that was built prior to Georgian style making its way to Toronto. It demonstrates the simple style of the time.

In the early nineteenth century, architecture transformedfrom simple cabins to Georgian-style brick homes. This style was brought to the city by British immigrants and Loyalists who emigrated from the newly independent United States. These homes populated the neighbourhoods of Rosedale, The Bridle Path and Yorkville. A prime example of the architectural stylecharacterized by symmetrical and multi-panel windows is John Daniels’ house which is one the oldest buildings in the Yorkville neighbourhood.  

Victorian

Thanks to the expansion of the streetcar system in the late nineteenth century, suburban areas such as The Annex, Cabbagetown and Parkdale started to develop. These neighbourhoods were predominantly filled with red-brick Victorian style townhouses.

Bay-and-Gable

The emergence of Victorian housing led to a uniquely Torontonian style of architecture known as Bay-and-Gable. These houses are typically townhouses. The name comes from the large street-facing bay windows and gable roofs. They can be found to this day in neighbourhoods like Little Italy and Cabbagetown. Low-and-middle-class Toronto citizens typically owned Bay-and-gable homes whereas nowadays due to restoration, a lot of these townhouses have been transformed in gorgeous luxury homes.

Annex Style

Another architectural style that is unique to Toronto is “Annex style.” These houses were a combination of the Romanesque and Queen Anne style. Toronto’s upper class and elite favoured them. They are typically large and characterized by having a lot of domes, arches and turrets. These homes are found in, you guessed it, the Annex!

Gothic Revival

Another style that was brought to Toronto from England and America is Gothic Revival. A shining example of this architectural style is Casa Loma and several buildings on the University of Toronto campus including Hart House. This style is characterized by pointed arches in windows, doors or other decorative elements as well as delicate wooden trims. Homes in the gothic revival style can be found in the areas surrounding the Casa Loma castle such as the eponymous neighbourhood, the Annex and Forest Hill.

If you’re looking to purchase a house in a particular architectural style, Michael Maxwell Homes is dedicated to helping you find your dream home. For more information about the various styles of architecture within Toronto, get in touch with us, we are proud to know this city and its architecture inside and out!