Temple Building, Romanesque Revival skyscraper in Financial District, Toronto, Canada.
The Temple Building was a 12-story skyscraper clad in Credit Valley brownstone and reddish-brown brick, designed in Romanesque Revival style with rounded corners and terracotta roofing. Its numerous windows and detailed masonry work created a distinctive facade typical of late 19th-century Toronto architecture.
Completed in 1895 as headquarters for the Independent Order of Foresters, it stood as Canada's tallest structure at approximately 50 meters until surpassed in 1905. The building marked an important phase in Toronto's rapid architectural development during the late 1800s.
The building embodied the vision of Dr. Oronhyatekha, Canada's first accredited Indigenous physician, whose leadership shaped the Independent Order of Foresters' growth in the city. His role made this structure a symbol of the organization's prominence and ambitions.
The structure featured electric elevators with automatic doors, standing water pipes, fireproof vaults, and tile flooring on each level. These systems represented advanced building technology for the 1890s, demonstrating thoughtful planning for safety and convenience.
Sections of the building's original facade were preserved and relocated to Guild Park and Gardens in Scarborough following its demolition in 1970. Visitors can still examine these salvaged fragments to appreciate the craftsmanship and architectural details of the lost structure.
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