Toronto Dominion Bank Tower
Toronto, Canada

HEIGHT: 223m/731 feet
FLOORS: 56 floors
COMPLETION: 1969
ARCHITECT: Bregman + Hamann Architects/ John B. Parkin Associates/ Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

The TD Centre consists of six towers: the Ernst & Young Tower, Royal Trust Tower, Canadian Pacific Tower, 95 Wellington, Maritime Life Tower, and the tallest of them all, the TD Bank Tower. Aside from these six towers, there is a pavilion at the base of the TD Bank Tower that houses the TD Canada Trust Main Branch (known as the Toronto Dominion Main Branch).

The original idea for the TD Centre was to create the largest concrete building in the British Commonwealth at that time. With the advent of several obstacles despite key connections, the original idea was scrapped and Mies van der Rohe entered into the picture. The TD Centre was commissioned by Allen Lambert, the chairman of the Toronto Dominion Bank until his retirement in 1978.

The building features the typical Mies van der Rohe's black steel I-shaped beam on the facade. The building is basically comprised of black steel elements and glazing.

Also as part of the complex, the old Toronto Stock Exchange building was incorporated and converted into the Design Exchange building that can be accessed from Bay Street or inside the complex.

There are many renovations ongoing in the underground levels but the main structure and facades remain the way they were since the 1960s.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/ssc1819/td1.jpg

http://photo.starblvd.net/RateOurTalls/1-3-5-1078348673?m=1&pg=0&ro=2&co=4

http://www.billwrigley.com/About/Toronto/11.jpg

http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/tdcentre/TD%2005.jpg

http://www.galinsky.com/buildings/tdcentre/TD%2003.jpg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rotpics02/TDTOWER.jpeg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/547/5402td_center.jpg

5 Not the worst building, it looks somewhat good for international style... but this is another example why I think Toronto's skyline is extremely boring and conservative!

6.5/10

BIG BOX. 4/10

Big sleek box with the Mies van der Rohe touch. With an army of smaller boxes around it! Talk about "box city"!

7.5

Boxiness is not a problem here, but a solution.

7/10

Nice shiny and boxy. Works well with its surroundings.

6.5 not the ugliest box i've seen, but it is still a box

8.5/10

Nice windows and the shape is nice.

6.5/10 - THe facade catches the light well, and the slim spandrels and mullions provide a touch of contrast; are the windowless floors sky lobbies, as in the old WTC, I wonder? But still...
Maybe I'm just crabby today, but while it isn't a really ugly box, it's still a box, confound it....

i give it an 8.5, looking by who its designed and the time at which it was built, it is one of the defining buildings in this city, and even after 36 years it retains beauty and looks very modern. these pictures arent too flattering as well so i can see your point of view as seeing it as "just another box"

by the way s.com says it was completed in 1967.

The TD Tower formed by the impacted of The Chase Manhattan Plaza in New York City........8/10

Yeah it's allright.Nothing special ofcourse about the design.It's just that the facade does it. 6.0.10

I was gonna say that it looked like a Mies Van Der Rohe before I saw his name on the credits. It's quite boring really, and it looks just like the shorter boxes around it. Its only redeeming features are its height and passable facade. 3.5/10.

You guys are insane LOL!!!


One of my favorite modern buildings period, by probably the best modern architect.

And it was completed in 1967...it's 46-storey compadre, Royal Trust Tower was completed in 1969.




KGB

Ummm... I've seen worst. 6.5/10

Its one of the better boxes.. still as bad though :bash:

6.5/10

one ugly box.

2/10:sleepy:

Box. No comments. 4/10.

8

A very boxy box. 4.5/10

7, nothing too special..
but its shiny..

box -1

facade: dark, ok
form: boxy
points: 6

its a smaller world trade center in my opinion
What the hell is so bad about boxes, as long as its nicely designed, it shouldnt matter what shape it is
If the world became nothing but spires and weird designs it would be too tacky

Box, box, box, box, box. Box, box, box.

Criticize with creativity not with a dismisive cliche.

Mies is simply the best modernist architect ever. I see that some people have good taste on this forum.

The international style rocks my world, El Debarge.

8/10

Originally posted by Buster

Box, box, box, box, box. Box, box, box.

Criticize with creativity not with a dismisive cliche.


im not dismissing that its a box
im saying theres nothing wrong with box!

Listen here, Buster, I spit on your supposed good taste. I give this building a 6/10. Art Deco is the Bart of archticture, while your International style is nothing but a Millhouse, aka: dud. This is not an argument, but a challenge.:guns1:

Dude,

Art Deco has its charm but the box is boss. I'll take up arms and fight the power, G.:bash: :bash: :bash:

Costanza, I mean no disrespect.

2/10.

coming from you waterloo...im not surprised.

Originally posted by Buster

Costanza, I mean no disrespect.

Sorry, my confusion!

When modernist architecture was done badly, it looks far worse than other badly done architectural styles.....and there were plenty of cheap, crappy knock-offs produced....so I think that explains the disdain for the modernist box in general.

But com'on....Mies? TD is as good as they get.

But Mies could be quite the contradiction of his purist, functional style sometimes....take those I-beams running up the sides of his TD/Seagram-style buildings....purely decorative....they perform no functional/structural purpose whatsoever. And that Barcelona chair....ridiculously labour-intensive to make.






KGB

A true classic...
8/10 (boxy)

BOX!
:moods:

8/10

Boxy, but nice glasses

Nice big box !!
8/10

Discrete, tall , elegant but not the beste i've seen7/10

Ugly box :bleep: 5.5/10

6/10

boxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

8/10 I like Chicago's IBM Tower a little more, probably due to location or the fact that it's not part of a complex like this one.

like the shape, dislike the facade in differing lights (same with all modern / similar buildings) - 8.

8/10 Cool box.

6.5/10

Looks as though has a big impact, looks taller than really is I think, and being designed in the 60's gives it points. However, now it looks like needing updating- boxes can be beautiful, but this doesn't have any redeeming features to take away from that, and not sleek enough for me.

boxes are beautiful 9.5

From a distance this building indeed looks "boring", but up close is a totally different story. It's got character - it's bold and intimidating. Architecture is a lot more than just eyecandy, it's also got a lot to do with *feeling* (that's the whole point of art, right?). It's unfortunate that a lot of people dismiss this building as "just a box", but oh well. FCP, on the other hand, doesn't do a whole for me at all.

I'll rate it an 8.5

7

I don't mind boxes. :D 7/10

looks like the canadian clones of the rca extension skyscrapers, and this would be exxon's clone. lol

6.5

7.0

Boring black box. 6.5/10

Oh yeah that one's so absolutely awsome!!! I so love it in Toronto!!!!! Very impressive to be built in 1967 don't ya think!!?? 10/10

A box, but alright.

7/10

Anyone who voted below 5 or below on this poll must be ignorant to the history of architecture.

6/10

ugly box

6.5

Attractive and if it's gonna be a simple design, then black is best IMO. It's 35y/o as well and still looks good. There's one in Detroit bout half this size but it's lookin kinda dated.

7.5/10 I think it's a really bold box and it gets the job done.

5/10

7/10 - Not bad

Nothing wrong with this one, but nothing particularly special either.

A simple, functional, modest design that's clearly not trying to be imaginative. The black cladding and international style reminds me of St Helens (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=52162&page=1) in the City of London, only taller.

7/10

7/10

7.5, I think this is the best box I've ever seen.

Toronto deserves better 4

Bland box, 4/10

7/10

Pretty damn nice for a box. Fits in with the rest of Toronto too, so I give it an 8/10. :okay:

6! :sleepy:

Very Boxy. 6/10

9/10 Mies-o-rama! Reminds me of the Federal Plaza in Chicago.

A black box. 5.

8/10

It very simple but the design and the facade is interesting.

Another box. 5/10.

a box. 5/10.

7/10

8/10

6/10

It's just a boring box. But I like boring boxes ;) 7,5/10

5/10

Huge box!! 6.5/10

5/10

not bad a lil boxy. but still good.
8.5

This is an amazing building.... anyone who has studied architecture will
tell you so. People who have no idea about this field of study may see
it as just a black box, but how sad....

5 The 60s wasn't the best decade for design

Simple, but I like it. 8/10

5/10

not a bab box 7.5/10

6.5/10

This is a masterpiece. Pure brilliance.

They exude a sense of power.

http://static.flickr.com/26/35780883_450df8d598_o.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/31/60240533_5e4edac3b7_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/26/43648534_1f1c5623c3_b.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/21/27215770_20e83a9d1b_b.jpg

6.5/10

6.0/10

Uninteresting design, ugly color, ugly technical floors breaking the height feeling given by an otherwise slender shape. The glass is acceptable but that's too late and not enough to save it.
2.5

Some one should show the Cows on the grass it makes it so much better!

At least it's tall and matches the surroundings. 6.5/10

7/10

4.5/10 :) :) :) :) :)

I'm amazed how many people on a 'skyscraper' forum have absolutely no knowledge or training in the history of highrises, or the theories that went into the original building of them. The funniest comments are by people who try to sound technical and knowledgeable when they don't have the foggiest notion of what they are talking about.
I guess if you are ten years old you are going to prefer a glittery monstrosity with neon lights all over it.
Sheesh... even Samantha could do a better critique than most of these
answers.

Big sleek box with the Mies van der Rohe touch. With an army of smaller boxes around it! Talk about "box city"!

7.5
how fortunate for you that your city (Sydney) was spared any "boxes" by
international architects in the 60's. :sleepy:

http://static.flickr.com/4/7444629_3c75a55bb6_b.jpg

I like these nig box towers, 8.5!

10/10

Mies provided the zenith of skyscraper form... everything's been downhill from there. This is design in it's pure, honest form.

In 1993 this building made headlines around the world when Garry Hoy, a 39 year old lawyer, fell 24 floors to his death while demonstrating the strength of the windows to a group of visiting law students by charging into them.

Everyone go back and read Taller, Better's comments, three times, have a think about what he said and take his advice as he is spot on. An uninformed opinion isn't worth a pinch of shit, so if you are interested in skyscrapers and aren't just size freaks, learn your history, then your opinion will be worth sharing.

Everyone go back and read Taller, Better's comments, three times, have a think about what he said and take his advice as he is spot on. An uninformed opinion isn't worth a pinch of shit, so if you are interested in skyscrapers and aren't just size freaks, learn your history, then your opinion will be worth sharing.

I second that.

Like it, tall, black and classy!
8.5/10!

"Uninteresting design, ugly color, ugly technical floors breaking the height feeling given by an otherwise slender shape. 2.5 "


I see even architecture school has a "short bus" people ride.







"Some one should show the Cows on the grass it makes it so much better!"



http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/3532/pict42577km.jpg (http://imageshack.us)





http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1796/pict42589aj.jpg (http://imageshack.us)







KGB

7 big black box

7.5/10

To each his own I guess....but to have 1/4 of the people voting on this poll giving this masterpiece a 5 or less doesn't bode well for a community of so-called savy skyscraper aficionados.







KGB

7/10.

6.5/10

6/10 yawn. this is boring. has a muted color which is weird. Prefer Jet black vibrant boxes to this. like IBM in Chicago

:eek: so massive
10/10

6/10

8/10

Its looks like nothing but if you go near they look pretty nice. I mean it, they look bland from far away but if you stand there, they look much better.

I say 7/10.

7/10

http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j158/poto111/DSCN1050.jpg

7/10

Nice vertical box

4/10

7/10

10/10.... STUNNING in real life... powerful... although simple. Timeless.

I love it!

In real life this building is very nice, i love the black, 10/10

nice box
8.5/10

7/10

still looking pretty good after 3 decades.

8/10

10/10, amazing in real life.

Everyone go back and read Taller, Better's comments, three times, have a think about what he said and take his advice as he is spot on. An uninformed opinion isn't worth a pinch of shit, so if you are interested in skyscrapers and aren't just size freaks, learn your history, then your opinion will be worth sharing.

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Brizer, but I think it is a losing battle. If it were a group of trained architects here this building would receive the handsome accolades and intelligent critiques it deserves. But as it stands many people here measure architecture by its height and by its novelty shape. Sad, but true.

As boxes go it is a box 6/10

^^^^

Perfect example of excactly the kind of unsophisticated architectural IQ right there Taller, Better.






KGB

I'm in Toronto for the week and I went back to this building today, and I had a chance to go into the banking plaza (it was closed last time I went). Sat in the specially-designed chairs and everything. They don't like you taking pictures in there, though :bash:. Some guy was telling me I wasn't allowed to seconds after I took out my camera.

^^^^

Perfect example of excactly the kind of unsophisticated architectural IQ right there Taller, Better.






KGB

I think that as soon as you see the word "box" or "boxy" as a person's only critique that you know they are better equipped to rating track shoes than architecture! ;)

http://photos21.flickr.com/28935872_aad1aada3a_o.jpg

TD tower dominating the skyline in 1968.

ridiculously cool building...

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/4979/5651xt9.jpg


photo by hool over at citynoise.org (http://www.citynoise.org/)

^^ Thanks for the pic. Looks great.

Oh yeah:

6/10

How anyone can say its "boring" or "dull" or "just a box" is beyond me.

5/10. Boxy Building :yes:

5/10

How anyone can say its "boring" or "dull" or "just a box" is beyond me.

Well, if you are a 12 year old suburbanite, (or from the Gold Coast), you will not recognize quality when you see it!! ;) There is no kitty litter scoop on top of this structure, and it is not all glittery.. :( ... and it was built before your parents had the bad luck of being born! :) )

WoW!! A super black box. There is many originality here. The architect is great, and have many imagination!! A great landmark in this world!! And it build this in the 60's!! WoW!! The best period of architecture! A really great addition in the skyline. Every city needs a super box like that!!!

...wak...

7/10.

6/10

I like boxes if they are tall and slim enough -> this one is -> 7/10

8/10

8. nice box.

3.5/10:sleepy:

a shiny common box. got no problem with that. 7/10

Box... I dont like Boxes... 4/10

7/10

very new yorkish, elegant, great and sexy shaped building, clasic and one of the best in toronto

8.5, but a 9 is most likely

not a great box 5/10

6 / 10

a pleasantly textured box.

7/10

i like this one.. the corporate box classic 8.5
It DEFINES Toronto

http://www.globalphotos.org/toronto/20050624/RIMG0250.jpg

(right one)

nicely articulated box.

8/10

it's a box
4/10

8/10

OK its a very simple box but i think thats why i like it.

8/10

Boring 5.5/10

5/10

I'm shocked and saddened at the criticisms of this masterpiece. Look closer, it's not just a box. This is perhaps the finest grouping of office towers on earth. These buildings are stunning. The TD Centre and Seagram's building in New York aren't studied in architecture classes for nothing.

Perhaps not awe inspiring in a photo, but to the naked eye they are flawless. The scale, proportion, charcoal black, simplicity and repetition is the benchmark of classical sophistication.

A box...yes. But if you are going to build a box, why not the most perfect box in the world. I didn't think a box could be sexy till I walked up to this one.

The 'podium' main branch in the courtyard is gorgeous. Mies van der Rohe designed every stitch of these buildings right down to the Barcelona Chairs in the podium.

I wouldn't want an entire city to look like this, but perfection is hard to compete with.

5/10.

Just a rectangular block.

shctaw:

I suppose to you, a diamond is just a garbage piece of glass. Paris, just an old relic. Have you even walked up to this building?

Boxing but charming!
7.5/10.

Nah not so bad i think. A 6,5 out of 10.

6.5/10

7/10

my favourite tower in T.O. -- 9/10
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/7a/TorontoTall.jpg

7/10

boxy but nice 8/10

4/10

7/10

6/10

4/10

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/1813016882_eff46e262e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2345/1813016472_ab60ea5d17_o.jpg

Gorgeous. I keep wanting to run in there and steal one of those Barcelona chairs. How can you not like Mies van der Rohe? Not only does he design a timeless building, but timeless furniture. Best collection of Mies buildings anywhere. The massive flag pole with the Maple Leaf flying is the cherry on top. A drop of red against a sea of black. Fabulous looking.

the size of all 6 buildings in person is unbelievable... and for everyone who says its just a box... whats wrong with that?

6/10 ;)

7/10

6/10

8/10

This is the Seagram of Toronto. If you don't like that, you won't like this either.

However, I have the good fortune of having a non-tacky taste in architecture, thus I absolutely love it. If this building wasn't hidden in the urban jungle that is Toronto, it would have been much less under-rated.

I give it 9.5/10.

Nice shiny and boxy.

boxxx 4

5/10

7/10

10/10. grand and inspiring yet tasteful and understated. one of my favourite buildings in the world and one of my favourite cities two

8/10

Big box!!

5/10

9/10

5/

7.5/10

7.5/10

5/10

4.5

the size of all 6 buildings in person is unbelievable... and for everyone who says its just a box... whats wrong with that?

People who say it is just a box probably don't know a lot about architecture, or the International School of Architects like Mies Van der Rohe. ;)

Hum... I've seen worst
7/10

8/10

7.5/10

Too boxy, a 1960s classic...

6.5/10

Canada Rules!!!!!!!!!!- 8.5/10

simply a MASTERPIECE of architecture. God bless you Mies Van der Rohe wherever you are! such an inspiring architect and wonderful timeless building. :master::master::master:

9/10

8. Good building. Regards.

5/10

8/10 - T.O. biased!:)

7/10

Boxy, but I like black.

7/10

7/10.

7/10

8/10

9/10

Tall, BEAUTIFUL box.:)
8.5/10

7/10

Classic and classy box. 9.5/10

9/10

10/10, what can I say? This is Mies' masterpiece.

5/10 not ugly not sexy...

My god, you people are insulting someone who was (and is still) considered the world's greatest architect (not just for his time!). I'm sure you would not say the same for the Seagram building????

9/10

7/10

6.5

6/10

8.5/10!

Classic Mies Van der Rohe!

7/10

8/10

A 1970s looking box..7.5/10

7/10

2/10
no no no no

7.5/10

5/10

7/10

7/10!

X

6/10

7/10

Just a box but with nice façade.7/10 :lol:

Well 8/10

7/10

9/10
Nice