Dovercourt Branch Toronto Public Library Heritage Property Plaque, 2009
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Original JPG File7200 × 4575 pixels (32.94 MP) 61 cm × 38.7 cm @ 300 PPI 2.8 MB |
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Resource ID
4950
Access
Open
Address
1101 Bloor Street West
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2009
Historical Themes
Program Category
Rights
Heritage Toronto
Time Period
Caption
Dovercourt Branch Toronto Public Library Heritage Property Plaque, 2009
Description
1913
Originally named for its local community the Dovercourt Branch was the first Toronto Public Library building to be constructed solely with funds from the City of Toronto and without the aid of Carnegie grants. Designed by the Toronto firm Chapman and McGiffin Architects the branch is a Beaux Arts adaptation of the Italian Renaissance style. Its symmetrical plan features a low hipped roof with extended eaves Flemish bond brickwork with stone and terracotta detailing and expansive round-arched windows. Considered the largest library branch in Canada at the time the building was also noted for the outdoor reading terrace between the wings of its U-shaped plan. It was later renamed the Bloor/Gladstone Branch to indicate more clearly its location. Renovated and expanded in 1976 the building was nearly doubled in size with the completion in 2009 of a contemporary addition on its western side.
Marker lat / long: 43.659564, -79.434714 (WGS84)