Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Court House at Old City Hall

I've always been a fan of the wonderful carvings to be found on some of the older buildings around town and our Old City Hall is an excellent spot to see many fine ones. Built in 1899 and designed by Toronto architect E. J. Lennox, part of the city hall was to be used as a court house and still is to this day even though city hall functions have been moved across the road to New City Hall since 1966.  Everywhere you look on the building there is some incredible carved detail in the sandstone!
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click here for more signs.
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21 comments:

  1. LesleySeptember 5, 2012 at 2:12 PM

    I like this simple understated sign.

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  2. VioletSkySeptember 5, 2012 at 2:18 PM

    Interestingly, I have not noticed this one before (or had forgotten it!)
    Between this building and Queen's Park one is in stone carvers heaven!

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  3. LindySeptember 5, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    What a beautiful building and details!

    My SIGN.

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  4. EG CameraGirlSeptember 5, 2012 at 2:31 PM

    Great find. RedPat!

    This reminds me, I wonder how the mayor's day is going. :)

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  5. AnonymousSeptember 5, 2012 at 3:17 PM

    Intricate indeed, LOTS to see and admire.

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  6. AndySeptember 5, 2012 at 3:29 PM

    Toronto's Old City Hall is a grand old building.

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  7. LowellSeptember 5, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    I wish we would build more of these kinds of grand structures today but I suppose they would be considered too costly.

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  8. PatSeptember 5, 2012 at 4:04 PM

    They just don't make buildings like they used to!

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  9. ArtandArchitecture-SF.comSeptember 5, 2012 at 4:06 PM

    That lace work behind the words is phenomenal. That is some real talent. Sad we no longer do this on buildings anymore, makes the so much more beautiful and interesting.

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  10. DebSeptember 5, 2012 at 4:13 PM

    I agree, that lace work is amazing, imagine how it looked when it was first carved.

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  11. SharonSeptember 5, 2012 at 6:13 PM

    You can tell this is an important building just be looking at it.

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  12. HalcyonSeptember 5, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    I took my MiL there when she was here this summer. It's such a fun place to walk around in! It's only too bad we couldn't take photos inside b/c court was in session.
    Love this sign. I'm not sure I've ever noticed it. :)

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  13. RandySeptember 5, 2012 at 6:34 PM

    Nice details in this building.

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  14. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2012 at 12:56 AM

    what a very pleasing facade. love it. and love how you cropped it.

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  15. Gemma WisemanSeptember 6, 2012 at 2:04 AM

    There is something quite stylish about a sign that evolves as part of the building material! Lovely perspective!

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  16. Gerald (SK14)September 6, 2012 at 3:19 AM

    nice carving and very stylish

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  17. Inside CambodiaSeptember 6, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    Love the carving details of the building.

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  18. PerthDailyPhotoSeptember 6, 2012 at 10:29 AM

    Apart from the carved details Pat, this building has weathered well and is a lovely pinky grey colour, nice!

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  19. Paul in Powell RiverSeptember 6, 2012 at 10:32 AM

    I like them too!

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  20. JackSeptember 7, 2012 at 5:58 PM

    Gorgeous. It bears a similarity to work by the American architect H.H.Richardson.

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  21. Melbourne Australia PhotosSeptember 10, 2012 at 4:32 PM

    There is an arabesque flavour to this façade.

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