Marta O'Brien
@archhistory.bsky.social
Architectural historian. Passionate pedestrian & former cyclist, so road safety! City & provincial politics. Lifelong renter in Toronto.
Polish-Canadian architect Joseph Medwecki has died at age 98. He designed one of my favourite multi-residential buildings in Toronto: 190 St George St.
November 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Polish-Canadian architect Joseph Medwecki has died at age 98. He designed one of my favourite multi-residential buildings in Toronto: 190 St George St.
Paris, Ont is a lovely town. Great cobblestone architecture. Here's Kilton Cottage (1851) as an example.
November 18, 2025 at 6:46 PM
Paris, Ont is a lovely town. Great cobblestone architecture. Here's Kilton Cottage (1851) as an example.
I like looking at apartment/condo floor plans. Here's a 1-bedrm in midtown Toronto that's like a lot of others. Where the heck do people keep their clothes? I looked at the building's larger units (even 3-beds) & same issue.
November 14, 2025 at 7:30 PM
I like looking at apartment/condo floor plans. Here's a 1-bedrm in midtown Toronto that's like a lot of others. Where the heck do people keep their clothes? I looked at the building's larger units (even 3-beds) & same issue.
Franklin Carmichael's painting of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem: one of many terrible losses when St Anne's Anglican burned in mid-2024. He'd joined other Group of 7 artists JEH MacDonald & Frederick Varley to decorate St Anne's in 1923. 1/2
November 4, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Franklin Carmichael's painting of Jesus's entry into Jerusalem: one of many terrible losses when St Anne's Anglican burned in mid-2024. He'd joined other Group of 7 artists JEH MacDonald & Frederick Varley to decorate St Anne's in 1923. 1/2
Discussed lovely Knesseth Israel Synagogue (affectionately known as the Junction Shul) in last evening's class. 56 Maria St., 1912, architect James Ellis. Stunning interior painted in 1920s. Toronto's oldest original synagogue still in use.
October 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Discussed lovely Knesseth Israel Synagogue (affectionately known as the Junction Shul) in last evening's class. 56 Maria St., 1912, architect James Ellis. Stunning interior painted in 1920s. Toronto's oldest original synagogue still in use.
Yorkville Park in summer, Toronto.
October 18, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Yorkville Park in summer, Toronto.
I visited & photographed St. Luke's in 2015. Beautiful building. Carpenter Gothic style, 1834.
October 15, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I visited & photographed St. Luke's in 2015. Beautiful building. Carpenter Gothic style, 1834.
So many rich details on that building! Modern portion has great lines -- especially the wrap-around windows.
October 12, 2025 at 6:50 PM
So many rich details on that building! Modern portion has great lines -- especially the wrap-around windows.
Purchases earn Canadian Tire Money that can be spent in the store or at their gas bars. Much valued by Canadians since 1958! 2/2
October 10, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Purchases earn Canadian Tire Money that can be spent in the store or at their gas bars. Much valued by Canadians since 1958! 2/2
Just finished this wonderful book (thanks @wh0n0z.bsky.social for recommending): "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking." I can't remember any book (& as an introvert, I read a lot) speaking to me so strongly. Really helped me to understand myself better.
September 27, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Just finished this wonderful book (thanks @wh0n0z.bsky.social for recommending): "Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking." I can't remember any book (& as an introvert, I read a lot) speaking to me so strongly. Really helped me to understand myself better.
Fall is here -- the Juncos are back outside our building.
September 27, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Fall is here -- the Juncos are back outside our building.
Tomorrow. Sept 24, at 7:00 pm I'm giving a 1-hr talk looking inside 2 Toronto mansions. Former homes of "Mr Christie" (cookie maker) & Wilmot Matthews are both now part of U of T campus.
Talk is free at Northern District branch of TPL: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?E...
Talk is free at Northern District branch of TPL: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?E...
September 23, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Tomorrow. Sept 24, at 7:00 pm I'm giving a 1-hr talk looking inside 2 Toronto mansions. Former homes of "Mr Christie" (cookie maker) & Wilmot Matthews are both now part of U of T campus.
Talk is free at Northern District branch of TPL: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?E...
Talk is free at Northern District branch of TPL: www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?E...
Each was 1.5m high, produced Toronto Fence and Ornamental Iron Works. Removed in 1947 during installation of war memorial & ended up with antiques dealer. City bought back in 1980s & they were reinstalled beside the starcase for building's centennial in 1999. My photo:
September 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Each was 1.5m high, produced Toronto Fence and Ornamental Iron Works. Removed in 1947 during installation of war memorial & ended up with antiques dealer. City bought back in 1980s & they were reinstalled beside the starcase for building's centennial in 1999. My photo:
Really enjoyed "Key Modern Architects: 50 Short Histories of Modern Architecture" (Andrew Higgott, 2018). Focusses on architects' approaches & works (writings, buildings built & not-built, influences) through lens of Modernism and after. Louis Sullivan to Kengo Kuma.
September 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Really enjoyed "Key Modern Architects: 50 Short Histories of Modern Architecture" (Andrew Higgott, 2018). Focusses on architects' approaches & works (writings, buildings built & not-built, influences) through lens of Modernism and after. Louis Sullivan to Kengo Kuma.
Bit nerdy, but I really enjoyed "The notebook : a history of thinking on paper" by Roly Allen. So much compelling info on history of people keeping personal records and more.
September 13, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Bit nerdy, but I really enjoyed "The notebook : a history of thinking on paper" by Roly Allen. So much compelling info on history of people keeping personal records and more.
This 12-storey 1972 condo on St. George (architect Joseph A. Medwecki) has a timeless design.
September 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
This 12-storey 1972 condo on St. George (architect Joseph A. Medwecki) has a timeless design.
Back then there was a City Architect plus the view that even utilitarian civic buildings should engenfer food architecture. Here's another example: Water Works Building, 511 Richmond West, 1931 by City Architect J.J. Woolnough. Redeveloped as a mixed-use building since my 2013 photo.
September 11, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Back then there was a City Architect plus the view that even utilitarian civic buildings should engenfer food architecture. Here's another example: Water Works Building, 511 Richmond West, 1931 by City Architect J.J. Woolnough. Redeveloped as a mixed-use building since my 2013 photo.
Ontario had 111 Carnergie Libraries. Most are still libraries; some have been repurposed or demo'd. Design was part of grant application: had to meet certain standards, eg portico with classical columns. Enroute to family wedding Sat drove past Shelburne's (1911) tho I'd already photographed.
September 8, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Ontario had 111 Carnergie Libraries. Most are still libraries; some have been repurposed or demo'd. Design was part of grant application: had to meet certain standards, eg portico with classical columns. Enroute to family wedding Sat drove past Shelburne's (1911) tho I'd already photographed.
I've noticed many villages in England use bunting. Gives a sense of cheer.
August 29, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I've noticed many villages in England use bunting. Gives a sense of cheer.
In 2019, Jack Diamond connected 1936-37 Holy Blossom Synagogue (Chapman & Oxley, Maurice D. Klein) to 1960 education wing (John B. Parkin Associates) with wonderful, light space with living wall, library, & more. "Campus" now comprises House of Worship, House of Learning, & House of Gathering.
August 19, 2025 at 1:55 PM
In 2019, Jack Diamond connected 1936-37 Holy Blossom Synagogue (Chapman & Oxley, Maurice D. Klein) to 1960 education wing (John B. Parkin Associates) with wonderful, light space with living wall, library, & more. "Campus" now comprises House of Worship, House of Learning, & House of Gathering.
My next evening course starts Sept 16: "Inside Toronto's Architectural Treasures." You'll see >700 photos of 14 significant buildings not seen by most people to explore architectural features & well-crafted ornament. In-person, U of T's downtown campus. Details: learn.utoronto.ca/programs-cou...
August 15, 2025 at 12:44 PM
My next evening course starts Sept 16: "Inside Toronto's Architectural Treasures." You'll see >700 photos of 14 significant buildings not seen by most people to explore architectural features & well-crafted ornament. In-person, U of T's downtown campus. Details: learn.utoronto.ca/programs-cou...
Windows of Massey Mausoleum, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. 1891 designed by architect E.J. Lennox.
#WednesdayWindows #WindowsWednesday
#WindowsOnWednesday
#WednesdayWindows #WindowsWednesday
#WindowsOnWednesday
August 6, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Windows of Massey Mausoleum, Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. 1891 designed by architect E.J. Lennox.
#WednesdayWindows #WindowsWednesday
#WindowsOnWednesday
#WednesdayWindows #WindowsWednesday
#WindowsOnWednesday
Some overlap with what would be my list. Here are my top 3 (no order):
July 22, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Some overlap with what would be my list. Here are my top 3 (no order):
Nice! Number of apartment buildings like this in Toronto. Couple of my photos below for Buckingham Apartments (1923) & more grand Balmoral (1928, S.B. Coon & Sons). Former designed to have shops in base (hence large arched windows).
July 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Nice! Number of apartment buildings like this in Toronto. Couple of my photos below for Buckingham Apartments (1923) & more grand Balmoral (1928, S.B. Coon & Sons). Former designed to have shops in base (hence large arched windows).
Why is that, Toon? Here are a couple of building details in Toronto where it's stood up well:
July 13, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Why is that, Toon? Here are a couple of building details in Toronto where it's stood up well: