Toronto Architectural Styles

The Architectural Fashion of
Toronto Residential Neighbourhoods

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Introduction Toronto Architectural Styles

The majority of styled houses in the United States and Canada are The architecture of residential houses in Toronto is mainly influenced by its history and its culture.
modeled on one of four principal architectural traditions: Ancient
Classical, Renaissance Classical, Medieval or Modern. The majority of Toronto's older buildings are loosely modeled on architectural traditions of the British
Empire, such as Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian architecture. Toronto was traditionally a
The earliest, the Ancient Classical Tradition, is based upon the peripheral city in the architectural world, embracing styles and ideas developed in Europe and the
monuments of early Greece and Rome. United States with only limited local variation. A few unique styles of architecture have emerged in
Toronto, such as the bay and gable style house and the Annex style house.
The closely related Renaissance Classical Tradition stems from a revival
of interest in classicism during the Renaissance, which began in Italy in The late nineteenth century Torontonians embraced Victorian architecture and all of its diverse revival
the 15th century. The two classical traditions, Ancient and Renaissance, styles. Victorian refers to the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901), called the Victorian era, during
share many of the same architectural details. which period the styles known as Victorian were used in construction. The styles often included
interpretations and eclectic revivals of historic styles mixed with the introduction of Middle Eastern and
The Third tradition, the Medieval, separated the Ancient Classical and Asian influences. The name represents the British and French custom of naming architectural styles for a
the Renaissance Classical in time. The Medieval tradition includes reigning monarch. Within this naming and classification scheme, it follows Georgian architecture and
architecture based on the formal Gothic style used for church buildings later Regency architecture, and was succeeded by Edwardian architecture.
during the Middle Ages, as well as that based upon the simpler domestic
buildings of the same era. Most of the Medieval architecture that has Victorian-style housing dominates a number of the city's older neighbourhoods, most notably
influenced the Toronto houses originated in England and France. Cabbagetown, Parkdale, Rosedale, and The Annex. These neighbourhoods hold some of the largest
collections of Victorian houses in North America. During this period Toronto also developed some
The fourth traditions, the Modern style, began in the late 19th century unique styles of housing. The bay-and-gable house was a simple and cost effective design that also aped
and continues to the present. It is based primarily on the lack of applied the elegance of Victorian mansions.
ornamentation and a resulting external simplicity or "honesty", as well
as on spatial variations made possible by new construction techniques.

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GEORGIAN

The Georgian style is highly variable, but marked by
symmetry and proportion based on the classical
architecture of Greece and Rome, as revived in
Renaissance architecture. Ornament is also normally in the
classical tradition, but typically restrained, and sometimes
almost completely absent on the exterior.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
Georgian architecture is characterized by its proportion and balance;
simple mathematical ratios were used to determine the height of a
window in relation to its width or the shape of a room as a double cube.
Paneled front door, usually centred and capped by an elaborate
decorative crown (entablature) supported by decorative pilasters
(flattened columns); usually with a row of small rectangular panes of
glass beneath the crown, either within the door or in a transom just
above; cornice usually emphasized by decorative moldings, most
commonly by tooth like dentils; windows aligned horizontally and
vertically in symmetrical rows, usually five -ranked on front facade, less
commonly three- or seven-ranked.
Form: Rectangular and symmetrical
Storeys: 2 to 3
Façade: In bays: usually 5-bay fronts; brick, stone, clapboard
Roof: Hip or end gable roof with matching chimneys
Windows: Small-paned, sash usually 12-over-12
Entrance: Centred, single door, usually plain, may have shallow
transom and side lights

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EARLY CLASSICAL REVIVAL

The Early Classical Revival style developed at the end of the
18th century and reflected a desire to take architectural
inspiration directly from the ancient buildings of Rome and
Greece.While earlier styles (the Georgian and Federal styles)
were also inspired by these classical forms, they relied more
on architectural details and did not attempt to recreate the look
of those ancient buildings. The Roman Classical Revival style
(sometimes called Roman Classicism) and later the Greek
Revival style emulated the form of classical Roman and Greek
temples.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
Entry porch (portico) dominating the front facade and normally
equaling it in height; porch roof usually supported by four simple
columns (Roman Doric or Tuscan Types) each with a shallow square base
(plinth); the columns support a prominent centred gable; a semi-circular
or elliptical fanlight normally occurs above paneled front door; windows
aligned horizontally and vertically in symmetrical rows, usually five-
ranked on front facade, less commonly three-ranked or seven-ranked.
Neoclassical Architecture is characterized by grandeur of scale,
simplicity of geometric forms, Greek—especially Doric or Roman detail,
dramatic use of columns, and a preference for blank walls.

Form: Box-like, symmetrical
Storeys: 2 to 3
Façade: In bays: usually 3-bay fronts, quoins on corners
Roof: Hip or end gable roof with matching chimneys
Windows: Small-paned , usually 9-over-9 or 6-over-6
Entrance: Centred, decorative with pilasters and sidelights,
transoms, fan lights around single door.

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REGENCY

Regency architecture refers to classical buildings built in
Britain during the Regency era in the early 19th century
when George IV was Prince Regent, and also to earlier and
later buildings following the same style.The style is strictly the
late phase of Georgian architecture, and follows closely on
from the Neo-classical style of the preceding years, which
indeed continued to be produced throughout the period.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
Regency architecture is especially distinctive in its houses, and
also marked by an increase in the use of a range of eclectic
"revival" styles, from Gothic through Greek to Indian, as
alternatives to the main neoclassical stream.

Form: Low, rectangular and symmetrical
Storeys: 1 or 1-1/2, occasionally 2
Façade: In bays: 3 to 5- bay fronts
Roof: Hip, may have dormer, often has iron cresting
Windows: Tall, often “French”, 6-over-6
Entrance: Centred, often recessed with sidelights and transom

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GREEK REVIVAL

The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the
late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in
Northern Europe and the United States. American interest
in the culture of ancient Greece grew from sympathy for the
Greek War of Independence (1821-1830) and emerging
archaeological finds showing Greece as the earliest
democracy.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
Greek Revival style buildings can take several forms (even
appearing occasionally as townhouses with strong
columned front entries), but are most easily identifiable by
the presence of a columned entry, a front facing gable or
pediment, pilasters at the front façade corners, or a wide
cornice with small windows.

Form: Rectangular, symmetrical, centre portion tall,
may have single storey wings; Distinguished by columns
Storeys: 2
Façade: Brick or clapboard, stucco (rare) 2 storey centre,
double height columns, often with porch
Roof: Front temple-pediment gable
Windows: Small-paned sash , usually 9-over-9 or 6-over-6
Entrance: Centred or to the left, may have pediment,
shallow transom and side lights

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GOTHIC REVIVAL

The Gothic Revival style is part of the mid-19th century
picturesque and romantic movement in architecture,
reflecting the public's taste for buildings inspired by
medieval design. This was a real departure from the
previously popular styles that drew inspiration from the
classical forms of ancient Greece and Rome.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
The most commonly identifiable feature of the Gothic Revival style
is the pointed arch, used for windows, doors, and decorative
elements like porches, dormers, or roof gables. Other
characteristic details include steeply pitched roofs and front facing
gables with delicate wooden trim called vergeboards or
bargeboards. This distinctive incised wooden trim is often referred
to as "gingerbread" and is the feature most associated with this
style.

Form: Usually symmetrical , tall with peaks
Storeys: 1 ½ +
Façade: Stone, board and batten, brick
Roof: Steeply pitched roof, front gable(s) usually with decorative
bargeboard
Windows: Arched under peaked gables, occasionally bay on first
level, often have drip moulds
Entrance: Centred, door often with sidelights and transom
Verandas: Usually have bargeboard, often second storey balcony
above entrance

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ITALIANATE

The Italian Villa/Italianate style was also part of the
romantic and picturesque movement, a quest to provide
architectural forms that evoked a romanticized region
or earlier period of history. The Italianate style was
modeled after the medieval farmhouses of the Italian
countryside. These farmhouses were irregularly shaped
and seemed to fit naturally into their rustic settings, an
important objective of the Romantic Movement.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES

The most outstanding feature of the Italianate Villa style is the square tower,
topped with a bracketed cornice.
Italianate houses are easily distinguished by their gently sloping roofs and
deep overhanging eaves, which are seemingly supported by a row of
decorative brackets, or corbels. Brick, stone or stucco is used to construct the
exterior. Tall, rounded windows.

Form: Square , or rectangular “T” or “L” shaped. Tall. Italianate Villas have
distinguishing tower or cupola
Storeys: 2-3
Façade: Stone, Brick, Clapboard; Villas can be stucco
Roof: Hip, low-pitch with wide overhanging eaves and large decorative
brackets; on “L” shaped buildings may have front gable
Windows: Tall, narrow, frequently round arched and with ornate detailing
above called hood or drip moulds. Windows often are paired. Bay windows
at the side. L-shaped Italianate houses often have a round (ocular) window in
peak.
Entrance: Often porch or portico, single or paired doors with details similar
to those over windows. Centred only in villas.
Porches: Single-story entry porches with supporting square posts
Towers: Some Italian Villas have square towers, cupolas, or belvederes

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SECOND EMPIRE

The Second Empire style had its beginnings in France,
where it was the chosen style during the reign of
Napoleon III (1852-70), France's Second Empire, hence
its name.Well-attended exhibitions in Paris in 1855 and
1867 helped to spread Second Empire style to England
and then the United States and Canada.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
Second Empire mansions or public buildings are often elaborately
detailed, but many other buildings of this style have only the curving
lines of the shingled mansard roof to mark them. Other commonly
seen details are a bracketed cornice beneath the mansard roof,
round arched windows, decorative dormer windows, an iron crest at
the roofline, and columned porches or porticoes.

Form: Tall, can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical; In
asymmetrical houses, a central pavilion often extends above house
Storeys: 2+
Façade: Multiple surfaces, usually brick or stone
Roof: Mansard, with dormers. Iron frieze, often slate tiled, wide
cornices
with heavy brackets, may have tower or turret
Windows: Tall, slender, 2-over-2 sash with decorative moulds or
voussoirs. Bay windows also common.
Entrance: Usually in porch or portico, paired doors

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QUEEN ANN

The name refers to the Renaissance style architecture
popular during the reign of England's Queen Anne (1702-
1714).For many, the Queen Anne style typifies the
architecture of the Victorian age. The Queen Anne style
evolved from those early English designs to become a
distinctly North American style with numerous, sometimes
regional variations.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
With its distinctive form, abundance of decorative detail, corner
tower, expansive porches and richly patterned wall surfaces, the
Queen Anne style is easy to identify.While the Queen Anne style can
take a variety of forms, certain key elements are commonly found.
Queen Anne buildings almost always have a steep roof with cross
gables or large dormers, an asymmetrical front façade, and an
expansive porch with decorative wood trim.

Form: High and wide, asymmetrical, complex
Storeys: 2+
Façade: Irregular, multiple surfaces with intricate woodwork,
brickwork, occasionally in stone
Roof: Steep pitch with multiple rooflines and gables, original
roofs are often slate
Windows: Tall, sash 1-over-1, also palladium, bay and oriel, may
have
stained -glass windows and transoms
Entrance: In verandah, ornate door with glass inserts

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ROMANEQUE REVIVAL

The Romanesque Revival style was introduced in North
America in the mid 19th century, as architectural ideas
from Europe, based on the buildings of ancient Rome,
were imported here. Only a few public buildings were
built in this style until the talented and influential American
architect Henry Hobson Richardson embraced the style in
the 1870s and 1880s.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
Buildings of Romanesque Revival style are most easily identified by
their pronounced round arches and heavy, massive stone or brick
construction. Most have round towers, squat columns and decorative
plaques with intricate or interlacing patterns. Since masonry buildings
were more expensive to build than wooden ones, Romanesque
Revival structures are less common than some of the other Victorian
era styles executed in wood.

Form: Asymmetrical, Richardsonian is massive
Storeys: 2+
Façade: Richardsonian: Weight and mass in building
appearance, rough-faced square stone sometimes
with smooth red brick walls, and cut-stone
foundations
Roof: Steep pitch. Round towers with cone-shaped roofs
Windows: Openings often arched
Entrance: Recessed, within arched entranceway
Verandas: Usually present with stone columns

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BEAUX ARTS

The Beaux Arts style, named for the premier French school of
architecture, the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, was introduced to the
United States by American architects like Richard Morris Hunt
who attended the prestigious school in the late nineteenth-
century. With its grandiose treatment of classic architectural
forms, the Beaux Arts style was seen as an ideal expression of
both corporate or wealth and civic pride. Buildings of this style
are both formal and monumental with abundant and opulent
decorative details.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES
The Beaux Arts style uses formal symmetry, Italian Renaissance form,
and classical Greek and Roman decorative elements like columns,
pediments and balustrades to create a grand and imposing
architectural statement. Exterior decorative details include may
include quoins, balconies, terraces, porches, and porticoes as well as
ornamental windows and grand entrances.

Form: Symmetrical, tall
Storeys: 2+
Façade: Lavish, ornamental. Paired columns frequent, smooth
masonry, with paired columns or pilasters, quoins, wall
surfaces may have decorative garlands
Roof: Low pitched with tall parapet or pediment or dome, heavy
decorated cornices
Windows: Tall, often framed by columns or pilasters
Entrance: Recessed behind columns or pilasters

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BAY AND GABLE

A Bay-and-Gable is a distinct architectural style of house that
is ubiquitous in the older parts of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It
was one of the most common forms of house built in late
nineteenth and early twentieth century Toronto. The style was
well suited to the layout of the city and the tastes of
Torontonians. Toronto architectural tastes in this era were
dominated by the various Victorian Revival styles, especially
Gothic Revival. The older parts of the city such as
Cabbagetown and Little Italy are still home to many hundreds
of examples.

IDENTIFYING FEATURES

The classic bay and gable is a red brick semi-detached structure that
is two and a half storeys tall, though many variations also exist. The
style was also very flexible. The typical bay-and-gable house was
made out of brick, but ones made completely out of wood were also
easily produced. Bay-and-gable houses were most often built as
semi-detached buildings, but the basic design could also easily be
modified into a stand-alone or row house format and many
examples of both exist in Toronto. There are many variations on the
bay-and-gable found in Toronto. One of the most common
simplifications on the style is to replace the bay window with a flat
wall.

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STRAWBERRY BOX

Strawberry box houses or Strawberry-box bungalow was a style of homes
built during World War II and into the 1950s to 1960s and found
throughout Canada. During World War II homes built known as Victory
Housing emerged in suburbs in several Canadian cities and towns, including
Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax to provide housing for workers in factories
supplying items for World War II. A small number of these houses were built
in 1943 in the Alderwood area of Etobicoke (west of Brown’s Line and south
of Woodbury Road) for workers at the Small Arms Company in Lakeview
(now Mississauga).
The typical style was either a detached bungalow or a two-storey semi-
detached. Depending on the locale, the facade may have been plain wood
or brick, with entrances at the front and sides.
The homes in Queensway Park are typical of those built for returning
soldiers: one-and-a-half storeys, steeply-pitched roofs, clapboard walls,
small sash windows, and small metal chimney stacks. Inside, the main floor
often had a living room, kitchen with dining area, bathroom and one
bedroom, while the upstairs had two more bedrooms. This architectural style
has been referred to as “Simplified Cape Cod” or “Strawberry Box.”

IDENTIFYING FEATURES

Individually the houses do not present a particularly high
architectural style. They are small (often lacking basements) and
constructed of cheap materials. Their uniqueness stems not from their
design but from the factors that contributed to their existence (the
war) and from the streetscapes they created. Most often they were
built on large lots on winding streets and cul de sacs.The style utilizes
a square or rectangular foundation and named due to the similarity
with boxes used to hold strawberries.

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MODERN

Modern architecture or modernist architecture is a term
applied to a group of styles of architecture which emerged
at the end of the 19th century from revolutions in
technology, engineering and building materials, and from a
desire to break away from historical architectural styles and
to invent something that was purely functional and new.
Modern architecture continued to be the dominant
architectural style for institutional and corporate buildings
into 1980s, when it was challenged by postmodernism, and
then by "neomodernism".

Contemporary Architecture
Contemporary architecture is the architecture of the 21st century.
No single style is dominant; contemporary architects are working
in a dozen different styles. The different styles and approaches
have in common the use of very advanced technology and
modern building materials.

Contemporary buildings are designed to be noticed and to
astonish. Some feature concrete structures wrapped in glass or
aluminum screens, very asymmetric facades, and cantilevered
sections which hang over the street. Skyscrapers twist, or break
into crystal-like facets.

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References & Links

References
Kalman, Harold D. A History of Canadian Architecture. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1994.
Ricketts, Shannon; Maitland, Leslie; Hucker, Jacqueline , A guide to Canadian architectural
styles, Broadview Press, 2004.

Links to Google
Architecture of Toronto
Pennsylvania Architectural Field Guide
Ontario Architecture
Ontario Architectural Style Guide - University of Waterloo
HISTORY CORNER: Wartime houses built for workers, returning soldiers

Note: This publication is a compilation collected from multiple sources available
to RASEK ARCHITECTS. We take no credit for any of the materials published
here.