Downtown Church
This is the Church Of The Redeemer which I gave you a peek of in yesterday's post. This Anglican church was completed in 1879 at Bloor St and Avenue Rd and had a flourishing congregation until the 1970s when faced with mounting debt, the church sold off their land surrounding the building and actually also sold the air rights above the church. This enabled developers to build a condo complex around the church and use the air rights to go higher than would normally be allowed for this site, and enabled the church to do major renovations to this old Gothic Revival structure. This is one of the busiest corners in the city with the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) located diagonally across the intersection and Queen's Park directly south.
I just have to say, the contrast between the two buildings is stunning. This photo is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteBizarre :)
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful structure and I'm glad they were able to save it. I really like the juxtaposition between the old stone and the newer concrete and glass. I believe there's a similar church/skyscraper combination in New York City. Excellent photo, Pat!
ReplyDeleteAh yes, know that corner well! Beautiful photo!
ReplyDeleteAmazing! Couldn't possibly be more contrasting!
ReplyDeleteWow! Hard to believe how many homes they built over the old churchyard!
ReplyDeleteStunning contrast. I hope some people from the condo attend the church!
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, I think the two forms work well together. Both are attractive in their own ways.
ReplyDeletePoor thing is really overshadowed by that rather large building.
ReplyDeleteI remember when I was was kid going to the museum. It was the first thing I would see getting of the streetcar.
ReplyDeleteI believe you found the best angle to show these buildings. The contrast is amazing! Great shot!
ReplyDeleteWhile it worked well for all, you really want to question the motives of the developer, sometimes profit margins should be left on the table. I am sure they could have still made a fortune and not been quite so imposing. On the other hand, thank goodness the church has been saved and renovated.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how many old churches were built on street corners, I guess when they were built the idea of highrise towers like these were not even thought possible. The contrast is shown perfectly here Pat, super shot.
ReplyDeleteAh! This is a church I recognize. This photo shows how big buildings are engulfing the old.
ReplyDeleteA huge contrast, Pat!
ReplyDelete