Canadian Pacific Building

The Canadian Pacific Building is a 15-story high-rise on Yonge Street with an Indiana limestone and granite exterior featuring Renaissance Revival design details. The ground floor contains a two-story marble lobby with elevators that serve the upper office levels.

The building was designed in 1913 by architects Darling and Pearson and was the tallest structure in Canada and the British Empire when completed. This marked a significant moment in Toronto's architectural history in the early 20th century.

The building displays European-inspired design elements that departed from the company's earlier architectural style and helped shape downtown Toronto's character. Its presence influenced how the neighborhood developed and how people experience the street today.

The facade features natural stone materials that have weathered over time, so visitors can observe how the exterior details have changed with age. The location on a main street makes it straightforward to access and find when exploring downtown.

The original exterior was made of cream-colored terra-cotta elements manufactured in Chicago, later replaced with limestone to extend the building's lifespan. This change shows how structures adapt over decades to survive the elements better.

Location: Toronto

Inception: 1913

Architects: Darling and Pearson

Floors above the ground: 15

Elevators: 3

GPS coordinates: 43.64900,-79.37760

Latest update: December 12, 2025 07:59