Before today’s post gets underway, I just noticed that this is post # 1000. 🙂
Today’s post features the Security Building at the north west corner of Pelissier and University in downtown Windosr. Built in 1927, it is seen here in a preliminary rendering from the architects Pennington & Boyde from late 1926. Interesting to note the Kennedy Building that I featured few weeks ago, is seen in its shorter state, before the expansion of 1927.
Here is a shot of the Security Building today. It is one of my favourite buildings downtown. It’s a classic, and it’s survived many of the renovations to the lower floors that many buildings had in the 1960’s & 1970’s, that involved either metal siding or that hideous stone covering…
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One of my favs downtown as well. I was thinking about all of the cover-ups messes that we have endured over the decades and the worse one to me has to be the stucco we see are seeng everywhere.
People talk about closing the streets downtown to get people back. I say bring back those large awnings. Keeps you out of the sun on hot days and keeps you dry.
Why I think stucco is the worst? Because it is being applied to everything and is just so harmful to the building. Aluminum siding is more of a cover up and can be taken down, stone veneer though as destructive wasn't covering everything (including houses). If I wanted Disneyland I would move there.
Congrats on the 1,000th!!
Agree, bring back awnings...
1,000. Truly amazing. Congratulations Andrew.
Has anybody been in one of the apartments above? If so, what are they like? I've always wondered.
I was immediately drawn to the awnings as well, but as long as it's a bar there's not a chance sadly (mostly due to smoking bylaws).
Andrew, welcome to the new millennium. Well done sir. My father's business was in that building, so I have many fond memories as a child and as a teenager visiting it. We would always go up onto the roof to watch the annual fireworks display during the Freedom Festival. I can still remember the building's Cutler-Hammer mail chute that always seemed to have letters lodged in it that were visible to anyone in the small but elegant lobby.
I also have fond memories of that building as my father's business was also in that building. I recall stock ticker info adjacent to the lobby area and as a youngster wondered what that was all about. As Ted mentioned, that mail chute was interesting (as was the air tubes in the J.L. Hudson building). And the elevator had an operator! These things were fascination to a young guy....
Tristan, I haven't seen the apartments but the offices are very nice for the most part. Most board rooms have plenty of wood trim and paneling and the views out the windows are very nice.
Congrats on your 1000th post - always a very informative, and valuable resource Andrew. Many thanks!! I remember my first radio performance was recorded at the top of that building back in the mid- 1980's... was a great building to visit, especially the top floors! Bring back the awnings!
BTW, CBC Radio was located on the top floors of that building at one time. Wood paneling, marble, beautiful details and windows. Thanks again!
Congrats on your 1,000th !!! Yes bring back the awnings!!!!!!!!!!!I love your website!! It's my fav!!! your the greatest Andrew !!!