Visiting The Broadview Hotel, Toronto, Ontario: Restored 1893 Richardson Romanesque Building at 106 Broadview Avenue

[This short hubpage concentrates on a few historical and architectural aspects of this building. For information regarding the services provided by the fine hotel housed in the building, contact should be made directly with its management.]

This striking structure, executed in red brick, with some terra cotta and stone facing has been a significant landmark since 1893 on Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario, at that street's intersection with Broadview Avenue, not least because of its conspicuous tower, which adds a smaller fifth storey to the four below. The actual street address of the building is 106 Broadview Avenue.

In the last decades of the 19th century in North America, the style known as Richardson Romanesque was particularly popular. Features which emphasize the Romanesque style which are evidenced at this building include many Syrian arches, although not all windows and doorways are actually rounded. At southeast angle of the building, rounded pilasters suggestive of tall plinths for conical towers. There is also some evidence of rustication on the facing of some of the building materials used in the structure. Architect Robert Ogilvie (1860-1921)(1) was responsible for the original 1893 building.

By 1907, the building was deemed to be in need of renovation, and this was accomplished by architect George Wallace Gouinlock (1861-1932)(2).

The next major renovation took many decades to arrive and in the meantime it was widely acknowledged that the building had undergone a certain dilapidation. In 2017 new owners Streetcar Developments and Dream Unlimited saw the opening of The Broadview Hotel; this included a rooftop restaurant; this acclaimed renovation, for which ERA Architects were responsible, won the Lieutenant Governor's Ontario Heritage Award for Excellence in Conservation.

I have also supplied links — see below — of other properties in the Queen Street area which may be of some historical and architectural interest.

May 7, 2019

Notes

(1) Other works by Architect Ogilvie include the Norman B. Gash House at 85 Spadina Road, Toronto, dating from 1899.

(2) Other works by Architect Gouinlock include various buildings at Toronto's Exhibition Place and the North Wing of the Ontario Legislative Building (1909).

The Downtown Toronto area is particularly worth exploring by foot, with many fine, historic buildings, a few of which include the following:

In Downtown Toronto , impressive ecclesiastical architecture includes that of three close neighbours: the United Metropolitan Church , St Michael's Roman Catholic Cathedral and St James's Anglican Cathedral , the second and third of which have tall spires which are local landmarks. Almost opposite St Michael's Cathedral on Bond Street is Mackenzie House , former home of William Lyon Mackenzie, at #82, now a museum. On Queen Street East, and adjacent to the Eaton Centre renowned among shoppers, is Old City Hall , dating from 1899. On Queen Street West are the imposing Osgoode Hall and the historic Campbell House . The CN Tower , off Front Street, is naturally a must-see attraction which receives very large numbers of visitors.

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How to get there: Air Canada, flies to Toronto Pearson Airport, with wide North American and other connections, from where car rental is available. However, visitors to Downtown Toronto will find many visitor attractions to be easily walkable. Streetcars 501, 502 and 503 pass the intersection of Queen Street, East and Broadview Avenue, Toronto. Please note that some facilities may be withdrawn without notice. Please check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information. Please refer to appropriate consular sources for any special border crossing arrangements which may apply to citizens of certain nationalities.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.