From Farmland To "New Town" Commemorative Plaque, 2009
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Original JPG File | 7950 × 5663 pixels (45.02 MP) 67.3 cm × 47.9 cm @ 300 PPI |
5.5 MB | Restricted |
Low resolution print | 2000 × 1425 pixels (2.85 MP) 16.9 cm × 12.1 cm @ 300 PPI |
691 KB | Restricted |
Screen | 1123 × 800 pixels (0.9 MP) 9.5 cm × 6.8 cm @ 300 PPI |
283 KB | Restricted |
Resource ID
4936
Access
Open
Address
1 Aggie Hogg Gardens
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2009
Historical Themes
Business History, Post-war urban development
Program Category
Historical Plaques
Rights
Heritage Toronto
Time Period
1954-1998
Caption
From Farmland To "New Town" Commemorative Plaque, 2009
Description
In the midst of a housing shortage after World War II, E.P. Taylor, one of Canada's most powerful businessmen, acquired over 800 ha of farmland here. From 1953 to 1965, Taylor's companies transformed the farmland into one of the world's most innovative "New Towns", complete with 28, 000 residents, over 70 industries, one of Canada's earliest suburban shopping plazas, schools, and recreation facilities.
Don Mills was the first North American land development of its kind to be entirely planned and funded by the private sector. Its master plan was designed by Macklin Hancock in consultation with some of the world's leading urban planners. Centred around a common commercial and civic area, neighbourhoods are isolated from heavy traffic by looping roads and culs-de-sac. Light industry was welcomed on the edges of the plan.
In an effort to create a landmark Modernist community, careful attention was paid to everything from the architectural style and position of buildings to their exterior materials and colours. Existing trees were retained wherever possible and generous green space was provided
Marker lat / long: 43.734848, -79.344935 (WGS84)