Santa And Nutcrackers

Santa And Nutcrackers

Sunday, 26 September 2021

Toronto CNE Architecture 2021

 


Photo blog of the buildings at the CNE! 

See the buildings old and new on the grounds with a blog about their history!

 Inside the Princes Gates we see the Enercare Centre sprawling to the right, where the street car loop used to be. The new center which opened in 1997 attaches to the Coliseum and the Agricultural Annex.

 

The eastern entrance reflects the Art Deco style 

of the Automotive building across the street.


The west wing of glass and steel looks almost constructionist 

but with a futuristic flare!

 

 

 

 Exquisite detail on the Automotive Building,

The right punctuation for a stately example of Art Deco!

Designed by Douglas Kertland, 

it opened in 1929 and held the " National Motor Show" until 1967.




 

 

Still being used today for conferences,

and both public and private events.

It's now called the Beanfield Center.

 

 

The Toronto X Hotel opened in 2018.

It has a very luxurious ultra modern interior guaranteed to spoil you,

if the breathtaking views don't!

At the west end of the Enercare Centre we can see the CN Tower peering over the entrance.

 

They have done the transition from old to new very well,

metal and glass against the brick of the older Agricultural Buildings.



The Horses Building with such warm and rich colours 

against the blue sky!

Sweeping lines mid and late 20th Century!


 

The BMO Field, opened in 2007,

And is expandable to seat over 40,000 people! 


Hockey Hall of Fame Facade at the west entrance. The original Hockey Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame used to be on the north side of the road from Exhibition Stadium.

The Food Building with her bright lights dresses up in pleats at night. Stylish 50's architecture had her prim and proper on the south side.

For CNE 2020 pics, click here!

 

The Food Building's water wall was always my favourite! Too bad the water jets aren't working these days. The ramp takes you right under the falling water to enter the building, through covered doors of course!


 The west side shows the gardens well done around the building, but the fish were flying above a pond that wrapped around under the ramp and back to the water falling over the slanted panes of glass when she was in her glory days.

On our walk we see a nice reflection in the Queen Elizabeth Building!

 
 
The Fire Hall and Police Station is Tudor Revival built in 1912. So elegant with the CN Tower, just as elegant of it's time, peering over it's shoulder!
 
 
 
 
 
So stylish with her iconic roof line, the Queen Elizabeth building is still used for many events all year round. It also houses the Withrow Common which features an art gallery open all year.
 
Across the street we see the Princess Margaret Fountain and the glass domes of the Victorian buildings that were part of the CNE years ago housing the horticultural and other exhibits.



The garden around the fountain is always beautiful with many varieties of flowers. At night the fountain is lit up with different colours!
 
 
 
At night everything glows at the CNE!
 
 
The Better Living Centre
Where you could find all the latest  gadgets and comforts for easy living in the home,
Everything from floating fridges to vibrating chairs!
All the dreams of the 50's and 60's!


 
It's a different story today-
It's a farm inside! Better living with livestock! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A visit to the angel makes our trip complete! 
From here you can see the CN Tower and a great view of the lake!




 
Scadding Cabin, built by John Scadding in 1794
is the oldest surviving building in Toronto.
It's cared for by the York Pioneers, a historical society who furbished the home 
in the style of 1830's to 1840's.


 
Fort Rouille' on the grounds by the lake.
Built in 1751, It was used as a trading post for the indigenous people in the area. 
It was burned down by the French after their defeat and the remains demolished in the 19th century.
A cement outline of the fort has been put in the ground and this obelisk erected to mark the site.
 
 
 
Nearby we see this Beaux Arts Building that was erected in 1926 to house the 
Government of Ontario exhibits during the CNE.

 
In 2021 Liberty Grande took over and turned it into an event space.
Its very grand inside for formal events like weddings.



As we make our way back we see the bandshell which has seen many wonderful concerts!

 

 

In the park just north of the bandshell we pass the carillon which is still played today!

 

 

More grand buildings from past CNE's now are the Medieval Times!

 

 

These buildings house the Kiddy Land during the CNE.

 


Next to Kiddy Land we find the Dufferin Gates, done in classic modernism from the 1960's!

Thus ends our tour of the CNE Grounds buildings, past and present.

 

Thanks for joining me!

Check in for more city tours!