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.

21 comments:

Lesley said...

I like this simple understated sign.

VioletSky said...

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!

Lindy said...

What a beautiful building and details!

My SIGN.

EG CameraGirl said...

Great find. RedPat!

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

Anonymous said...

Intricate indeed, LOTS to see and admire.

Andy said...

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

Lowell said...

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

Pat said...

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

ArtandArchitecture-SF.com said...

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.

Deb said...

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

Sharon said...

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

Halcyon said...

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. :)

Randy said...

Nice details in this building.

Anonymous said...

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

Gemma Wiseman said...

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

Gerald (SK14) said...

nice carving and very stylish

Inside Cambodia said...

Love the carving details of the building.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

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

Paul in Powell River said...

I like them too!

Jack said...

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

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

There is an arabesque flavour to this façade.