Temple Building (Toronto)

For the building in Rochester, New York, see Temple Building (Rochester).

The Temple Building was a 12-storey, 36.93 m (121.2 ft) highrise erected at 62 Richmond Street West and Bay Street in Toronto, Ontario.

History

Regarded as one of the city's first skyscrapers, it was completed in 1896 to house the world headquarters of the Independent Order of Foresters, which was a friendly society that acted as both a fraternal order and an important financial institution. The IOF was then run by the energetic Oronhyatekha who commissioned the grand structure. It was designed by George W. Gouinlock.

The building was located at Richmond and Bay Street. Upon its completion it was Toronto's tallest building, a title it would hold until the Trader's Bank Building was built in 1905.

The building was demolished in 1970 to make way for the Queen-Bay Centre (120m 32 floor Munich Re Centre built 1973 and 105m 25 floor Thomson Building built 1972) which still stands on the site.

The IOF relocated to Don Mills, Ontario in 1967 to Foresters House at 789 Don Mills Road.

Legacy

A portion of the facade of this building can be found on the grounds of the Guild Inn.

The remains of the Temple Building on the grounds of the Guild Inn in Scarborough, Ontario.