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Tag Archives: View Victorian homes

Gothic Revival Architecture on Amelia Street

Earlier in the year, we posted a profile on Gothic Revival architecture in Cabbagetown, outlining the style’s various characteristics with examples from the community. As it so happens, Amelia Street, a division of the Cabbagetown Metacalfe Heritage Conservation District, showcases two homes of the Gothic Revival style worth discussing: George Caden  / Albert Long House (20-22 Amelia Street) As a semi-detached residential home, complete with three floors, this property is a notable example of Gothic Revival architecture in the neighbourhood. Completed in 1901, the home displays many prominent characteristics of the late Victorian Era, as can be seen in its steeply pitched gabble roof …

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Cabbagetown’s Bay and Gable Homes

In Cabbagetown, the most prevalent architectural style is the Bay and Gable, a variation of the Victorian home.   These homes were initially designed for narrow downtown lots and can be identified by the following features: A three-sided bay with tall windows that extend the first two stories A roof with a pointed gable Gingerbread trimming Two-toned brick work The Half and Double Bay and Gable A common alteration of the Bay and Gable has a bay window that spans only the first floor.  The benefit of this design is that the balcony porch can be used across the entire …

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The Georgian Styles of Cabbagetown

During the 18th century reign of George III, architecture in the United Kingdom went through many changes.  In the first half of the century, a traditional “neo-classical” form was developed and introduced by Andrea Palladio.  By the 1850s however, an architect by the name of Robert Adam revolutionized this style and proposed a simpler, purer construct.  Both of these forms, as well as many others, are considered great variations of the Georgian. In America, the Georgian style underwent less change.  Prior to the Revolutionary War, Americans referred to this form of architecture as Colonial (after the war, the proper term …

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The Worker’s Cottage: Cabbagetown

The Working Man’s Cottage, also known as the Worker’s Cottage, was the most common style for homes in Canada during late 1800s.  These structures were made simple, efficient, and economical, built to reduce the unsanitary conditions that the working class had been subjected to during the industrial revolution.  Most often, the Working Man’s Cottage would be a one story house, divided into many rooms, under one steeply peaked roof. In Ontario, the Working Man’s Cottage, or just the Worker’s Cottage, closely resembled the Gothic through the use of finials, shutters, bay windows, and etched glass transoms.  With this said, many …

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Cabbagetown’s Romanesque Revival

The Romanesque Revival is an architectural style easily distinguished because of the semi-circular arch used for all door and window openings.  This dominant feature is one of many elements that were derived from the 11th and 12th century. In North America, the Romanesque Revival gained prominence by the end of the 19th century.  The style’s success during this time can be accredited to the American architect Henry Robert Richardson.  In fact, not only did he help popularize the style, but he was also responsible for creating a secondary version of the architectural form – the Richardsonian. At first, Romanesque Revival …

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Italianate Invasion – The Architecture of Cabbagetown

The Italianate style, also known as the Tuscan or Bracketed style, revisited the architecture of the Italian Renaissance in America during the 1840s. Historians consider this style to be a form of the Neo-Renaissance as well as a member of the picturesque movement.   For Canada, this movement gained momentum around the same time as confederation.  All across the country homes were being built in reflection of this Italianesque form.  Toronto, specifically, has many preserved locations of Italianate architecture.  One example of this can be found at 397 Carlton Street, Toronto (James Reeves House). The Italian villa became a popular model …

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Arts and Crafts in Cabbagetown

The Arts and Crafts movement is characterized by its lack of style.  Often referred to as the Craftsman movement, this style was used as an expression of distaste for the industrial revolution.  The simple design of the Arts and Craft was intended to provide a better living environment for the working class. The most prevalent form of Arts and Crafts found in Cabbagetown is a “Tuscan” variation, one that is proudly plain.  These homes are usually semi-detached and can be identified by their front porch and Tuscan columns.  The non-gabled version, one slightly less popular, includes a bay just above …

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Beaux Arts in the City: An Architectural Influence for Cabbagetown

The English Translation for the word “Beaux” is “Fine,” which is a suitable description for the lavish style embraced during the American Renaissance (1890-1920).  The Beaux Arts architecture began in Paris as an expression of the non-classical academics, but by the time the style reached North America, architects began to stray from these ideals. In Canada, Beaux Arts is a common style for public and legislative buildings.  For instance, the following locations in Toronto display a traditional Beaux Arts form: The Hockey Hall of Fame The Royal Alexandra Theatre The Dominion Public Building The Canada Life Building Residential examples are …

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Queen Anne of Cabbagetown

The Queen Anne is said to be the most ornate Victorian form.  In Canada, between the early 1880s and late 1890s, this style was a very popular choice for wealthy residents looking to build a new home.  Today, there are three notable locations of the Queen Anne style in Toronto: 139 Seaton Street  297 Carlton Street 314 Wellesley Street Other examples of Queen Anne appear sporadically in areas like The Annex and Rosedale.   The Queen Anne movement began in England almost two decades before ever reaching Canada.  During this time many people were heavily influenced by medieval England and …

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Gothic Revival in Cabbagetown

Although created in the early 18th century, the Gothic Rival style had been primarily used during the 19th century.  By this time, Victorians had grown bored of their Gregorian homes and yearned for more colour and decoration.  Initially, this style was favoured by successful industrialists in England, but by the late 19th century, entire suburbs began to resemble the Gothic Revival: Pointed arches Ribbed vaults Flying buttresses Spacious arcades, galleries, and clerestory stained glass windows Quatrefoil and clover-shaped oriel windows Pinnacles Grouped chimneys The Gothic Revival reached popularity in North America shortly after Andrew Jackson Davis’ 1837 release, Rural Residences, …

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