Skip to Content

Here are some websites, organizations and books that may of interest to those who enjoy Art Deco architecture in Toronto.

WEBSITES

Art Deco Buildings: Look up for inspiration and beauty � blog run by David Thompson from Australia; very easy-to-use site contains excellent photos and write-ups about buildings from hundreds of locations around the world.

Built Heritage News � bi-weekly email newsletter / website, based in Toronto, that provides information and communication for those interested in our built heritage, past and future.

Cinema Treasures � presents up-to-date information about the status of movie theatres in Ontario and around the world.

Emporis.com: – The World’s Website about Buildings � provides information about current and past commercial building projects around the world, including Toronto.

Illustrated Architectural Dictionary � presents easy-to-understand explanations of architectural terms using photos from Buffalo, NY.

SkyscraperPage.com � the ‘world’s most comprehensive collection of skyscraper diagrams,� including a terrific chart comparing the heights of Toronto�s future, current and past skyscrapers.

Toronto Theatres � listing of current, demolished and abandoned theatres and movie houses.

Art Deco News.Com � A one-stop forum for news, issues, events, products and destinations.

ORGANIZATIONS

City of Toronto Archives � www.toronto.ca/archives/index.htm
Heritage Toronto � www.heritagetoronto.org
Toronto Architectural Conservancy � www.torarchcons.org
Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (Toronto) � www.arconserv.ca
Archives of Ontario (Toronto) � www.archives.gov.on.ca
Ontario Heritage Trust (Toronto) – www.heritagetrust.on.ca
Doors Open Ontario (province-wide) – www.doorsopenontario.on.ca
Art Deco Montreal – www.artdecomontreal.com
Canadian Art Deco Society (Vancouver) – www.canadianartdecosociety.org
Canadian Centre for Architecture (Montreal) – www.cca.qc.ca
Heritage Canada (Ottawa) – www.heritagecanada.org
Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada (Ottawa) – www.canada-architecture.org
Docomomo International (has a Canada-Ontario chapter) – www.docomomo.com

BOOKS

Bayer, Patricia. Art Deco Architecture: Design, Decoration and Detail from the Twenties and   Thirties. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1992.
Beck, Boyde. Art in Architecture: Toronto Landmarks 1920-1940. Toronto: The Market Gallery of   the City of Toronto Archives, 1987.
Blumenson, John J.G. Ontario Architecture: 1784 to the Present. Markham, Ont.: Fitzhenry and   Whiteside, 1990.
Bush, Donald J. The Streamlined Decade. New York: George Braziller, 1975.
Chapman, Howard D. Alfred Chapman: The Man and His Work. Toronto: The Architectural   Conservancy of Ontario, 1978.
Cohen-Rose, Sandra. Northern Deco: Art Deco Architecture in Montreal. Montreal: Corona   Publishers, 1996.
Dendy, William and William Kilbourn. Toronto Observed: Its Architecture, Patrons, and History.   Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1986.
Duncan, Alistair. American Art Deco. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1986.
Gournay, Isabelle, Ed. Ernest Cormier and the Universit� de Montr�al. Montreal: Canadian Centre   for Architecture, 1990.
Hunt, Geoffrey. John M. Lyle: Toward a Canadian Architecture. Kingston, Ont.: Agnes Etherington   Art Centre, Queen�s University, 1982.
Kalman, Harold. A History of Canadian Architecture, Volume 2. Toronto: Oxford University Press,   1994.
Mays, John Bentley. Emerald City: Toronto Visited. Toronto: Penguin Books, 1994.
McArthur, Glenn. A Progressive Traditionalist: John M. Lyle, Architect. Toronto: Coach House   Books, 2009.
McHugh, Patricia. Toronto Architecture: A City Guide. Second ed. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart,   1989.
McKelvey, Margaret E. and Merilyn McKelvey. Toronto: Carved in Stone. Markham, Ont.: Fitzhenry   and Whiteside, 1984.
Murray, Terry. Faces on Places: A Grotesque Tour of Toronto. Toronto: House of Anansi Press,   2006.
Osbaldeston, Mark. Unbuilt Toronto: A History of the City That Might Have Been. Toronto:   Dundurn Press, 2008.
Osbaldeston, Mark. Unbuilt Toronto 2: More of the City That Might Have Been. Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2011.
R�millard, Fran�ois and Brian Merrett. Montreal Architecture: A Guide to Styles and Buildings.   Montreal: Meridian Press, 1990.
Rodger, Nelda, Ed. Designing the Exchange: Essays Commemorating the Opening of The Design   Exchange. Toronto: The Design Exchange, 1994.
Sebert, John. The Nabes: Toronto’s Wonderful Neighbourhood Movie Houses. Oakville, Ont.:   Mosaic Press, 2001.
Ricketts, Shannon, Leslie Maitland and Jacqueline Hucker. A Guide to Canadian Architectural Styles
Second Ed.
 Peterborough, Ont.: Broadview Press, 2004.

Period journals � Journal of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (1924�1973) and Construction (1907�1934) � are an excellent source of photographs and descriptions of Art Deco buildings in Toronto and elsewhere in Canada. These are available for viewing at the Toronto Reference Library.