history booklet final

Little PortugalToronto, On. 3

Transportation initiatives peaked at this time: First the construction of the Parkdale railway. The Gladstone Hotel was ideally positioned to service passengers stepping off steaming CPR or GTR trains. The building of the Queen Street Subway (underpass) was a major undertaking for the town of Parkdale in January of 1884. The level crossing at Dufferin Street was proving to be a major hurdle for access and trade. Queen and Dufferin were re-graded several feet below street level and the existing buildings shored up. The construction costs at the time totalled over $20,000. 1850’s

The Parkdale Railway

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1889 The Gladstone Hotel, named after British Prime Minister WM.E Gladstone, was built in 1889 for $30,000,00 and is located adjacent to the Parkdale train stations. This train station serviced the Grand Trunk Railway, the Canadian Pacific Railway as well as the Canadian National Railway. This historic building is 2,787m2 consisting of 4 floors which include hotel rooms, communal entertainment space and dining areas. The hotel served many tourists who came to Toronto for the Canadian National Exhibition as well as artists who performed at Massey Hall. Parkdale district, the area in which it was built, welcomed many commercial travelers based on the heavy industry in the area. When the Gladstone first opened in 1889 it was built in a Richardsonian Romanesque style under the ownership of Ms. Susanna Robinson who was a widow of 13 children. This hotel was considered “the only safe place for ones great aunt to stay alone” by the Royal Winter Fair.

The Gladstone Constructed

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1890

Introduction of the Streetcar

The Toronto streetcar was introduced in 1861 after the City of Toronto issued a thirty-year transit franchise for a horse drawn street railway as a result of the increasingly overused bus line. This style streetcar ran until August 31 1894 where it was then taken over by the first horseless, electric streetcar. The invention of the streetcar served as a revolution in the Toronto commercial industry, connecting residents of the area to other parts of the downtown core. As expansion of the system continued, the streetcar became a reality for people living in the Parkdale District. The number of clients for the Gladstone Hotel increased as accessible transit connected guests to downtown and the shopping emporia of the arcade, Eaton’s and the Robert Simpson stores. 6

1898

Through the late 20th century the reputation of the Gladstone Hotel diminished as a result of the economic and social decline of Parkdale to the west. The overall disparity of the area at this time resulted in the closure of many businesses and the deterioration of others including the hotel.

Diminishing Reputation of the Gladstone Hotel

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1913 In 1911 a report was issued in the Toronto Star on October 3rd, which indicated that the Gladstone Hotel was soon to become the property of an incorporated company. The owner at this time was Mr. Victor E. Gianelli, son of the Italian Consul General for Canada, stated that the plan was to increase the size of the hotel and improve facilities. At this time, the Gladstone had been in operation for roughly 24 years, which resulted in the slight deterioration of the interior conditions. In order to increase business the interior underwent significant renovations and alterations.

Interior Restoration

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1930 The Gladstone Hotel had to remove it’s cupola in 1930 due to disrepair. The Cupola faced the North East corner of the building. A cupola is a dome like structure often seen in architecture. An example of a cupola in history is atop the St. Peters Basilica in Rome. They can be often be a building in their own right housing a bell or ornament. This extraction from the exterior of the Gladstone hotel represents a loss of history yet the evolution of a longstanding building.

Cupola in Disrepair

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The exterior was updated with metal sheathing and glass block for street-front presence.

1950A New Street Presence

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1978

In 1978 Parkdale was established as a BIA which is a Business Improvement Area. BIA’s is an association of commercial property owners within a defined area. This association works with the city to create better businesses. Which will then This will increase the most lucrative types of businesses for an area and provide more funding for business owner visions.

Queen West has become a very vibrant commercial strip with plenty of retail establishments. These businesses will help to improve the quality of neighbourhoods, even aesthetically as they provide artist initiatives for mural projects and façade improvements. Queen street has a multicultural atmosphere, and many historically significant buildings. It also boasts 15 antique stores. As a BIA it is working to improve it’s quality of retail.

Redefining Parkdale

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1980’sSecond exterior facelift happened in the late 1980s under Herb and Allen Appleby who owned the hotel from 1964 on West Queen West

Originally had a history of drugs and petty crime a lot of the artist lived in illegal studios

Began in the 1980’s when artist began to leave Queen and Spadina heading westward in search of cheaper rents

Moving Artists

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2000’s The building currently offers four event spaces, plus studios, galleries and a café, in addition to 37 hotel rooms designed by local artists as proposed by Christine Zeidler.

In 2007 A report of Toronto’s growing tourist attraction names The Gladstone Hotel as a major landmark for the neighborhood of West Queen West. In 2009, the hotel was voted one of National Geographic’s “ Traveller Stay Guide’s” most loved hotels. This was also the year that the hotel deceided to include a Green roof. The Green roof is shallow and light growing and is henceforth self-sustaining. The greenroof is 540 m2. They received a lot of funding from the government for the initiative bringing it’s total cost to $54, 845. In 2007, Queen West St, from Dovercourt Road to railway underpass west of Duffeing Street as a heritage Conservation District Study Area. This was to potentially be designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. There were some reservations in order to qualify the area as a Heritage Conservation District as this would create more workload for administration. In terms of the city’s evolution, the City of Toronto is constantly attempting to give the hotel more street presence as well as make it more accessible for people. In 2010 they were expected to widen Gladstone ave. for a better walkable neighborhood. Which would greatly increase pedestrian traffic.

The 2000’s are a fact paced time for The Gladstone hotel and surrounding areas. The Gladstone has been bought by Eb Zeidler to restore the hotel. The family made a note to provide all long stay members of the hotel with alternative accomodations. Thorough renovations began in 2004 and lasted until 2005. Other renovations agendas included a better climate control system for providing each room with it’s unique heating and cooling system.

Zeidler’s Influence

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Based on precedence on Toronto, West Queen west and The Gladstone hotel we have come to a few hypothesize on the future of the hotel and it’s surrounding area. What is most important is that this building remain a heritage site. As this district was made a heritage district in 2007, the Gladstone hotel holds a responsibility to keep it’s historical elements in tact even as the surrounding area transforms into a more upscale residency.

The Gladstone hotel itself eludes to a very important time in art and history as seen by the Richardsonian architecture.This building proves that old architecture can enclose new ideas as proposed by Christine Zeidler’s insiration, Jane Jacobs.

The Gladstone hotel may be at risk due to gentrification. With several condominium proposal in the work, for instance 12 Degree condominiums with condo ranges from 300,000-1 000 000, means. This may present an issue for increase in property value and pose as a threat to the beloved artist community here which has been here since the 1980’s. With the condo increase there has been an increase in families. It would be in the best interest of the Gladstone hotel and surrounding arts community to embrace this change and cater it’s activities to all age groups. Creating an all inclusive community will lessen combat in interests and drive and appreciation for historical sites.

We believe that having active people in the community such as The Zeidler family to propel the Arts agenda is a solution to a pending loss of culture. The Future

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This process took the form of looking back in order to look forward. Several factors in the history of the Gladstone hotel, surrounding area and prominent people have been assessed in order to get a full scope on The Hotel’s aging process. We have realized that the programming of the next stages of The Gladstone hotel greatly depend on the demand of the city and we will only find answers once we ask.Our analysis derives from questions such as: The Gladstone, a heritage site, has undergone many renovations in it’s lifespan, what does this mean for cultural change?What does this mean for culture exchange?What does this mean for material waste?How much history should be brought into the future?Does the Gladstone hotel offer a timeless business model or must more programming occur? Does the building;s restoration offer a resurgence of culture or does it dilute it’s historical elements?Is is appropriate to offer so much government funding to such sitesfor example The Gladstone green roof costs $54,845 and received $27 000 through funding?Is this artist commune and cultural landmark sustainable, does it sustain community, how?

Introduction: Looking Back

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Case StudiesPerson, Place, and Thing

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CASE STUDY - THING

free revival style incorporates 11th and 12th century southern French, Spanish and Italian Romanesque characteristics

emphasizes clear, strong picturesque massing, round-headed "Romanesque" arches

Richardsonian Romanesque

Trinity Church, Boston (1872–77), designated a National Historic Landmark.

Style of Romanesque Revival architecture named after architect Henry Hobson Richardson

a popular style for public buildings such as train depots, churches, and libraries

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CASE STUDY - THING CASE STUDY - PLACE

Haight Ashbury1906

1906 San Francisco experienced a great earthquake, the District known as Haight Ashbury experienced a great boom

The district attracted many young people because of the hippie era and the many musical events Haight Ashbury offered much like “Summer of Love”

1929 The great depression hits San Fran and the liveliness of the city decreases. The Hippie generation diminished but it left behind a lively art and entertainment life behind.

The Hippie generation diminished but it left behind a lively art and entertainment life behind.

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CASE STUDY - PLACE

Lower Manhattan1973

Lower Manhattan is where New York began and it was originally a colony of New Amsterdam established in 1625.

The 18th century began the American Revolution

In 1792 Lower Manhattan became a growing economic and financial center

The lower Manhattan Cultural Council was founded in 1973 by Flory Barnett with support from David Rockefeller Sr.

They are built on the premise that artists are the pillars of resilience and inspiration and therefor are vital to New York City

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In 2000, the seemingly run down Gladstone Hotel was bought by the Zeidler family who worked hard to restore it over time to its current condition

The goal of the restoration started in 2003 by Christina Zeidler and Zeidler Partnership was to create a lively community atmosphere dedicated to the arts and culture of local civilians

Christina is an icon in the Queen West area due to her involvement in music, activism, film, art and design

CASE STUDY - PERSON

Christina Zeidler

CASE STUDY - PLACE

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CASE STUDY - PERSON

Christina is a proponent of activism and has become involved in many festivals that promote change in the local community

Founded by Christina, YIMBY (Yes In My Backyard) festival provides a social space for residents and community groups to propose ideas and strategies that work to change the city of Toronto in a positive way

Provides an opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors, residents to meet politicians, and politicians to meet community membersthat work to change the city of Toronto in a positive way

Activism

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Founded in 2004, Come Up To My Room is a festival held at the Gladstone Hotel which combines installations created by locals involving both art and design

The goal of this festival was to bring a new life to the Historic building and to promote collaboration between artists, designers, architects and builders

Christina is also a part of the music industry and is one half of the electronic duo In Unt Ina

The due explores the boundaries of pre recorded electronic audioscapes and the acoustic resonance of guitar and vocalization

Arts, Design, and Music

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Table of ContentsIntroduction..............................................................2

1

Case Studies............................................................15

History......................................................................3

Citations..................................................................22

Citations:"About - Gladstone Hotel." Gladstone Hotel. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.gladstonehotel.com/about/>."The Gladstone Hotel." Gladstone Hotel Historical Plaque. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.torontohistory.org/Pages/Gladstone_Hotel.html>."125 Years of the Gladstone Hotel." Torontoist Main. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://torontoist.com/2014/09/125-years-of-the-gladstone-hotel/>."Last Call At The Gladstone." HotDocs Doc Library. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.hotdocslibrary.ca/en/detail.cfm?filmId=11105>."Eco Roof Case Study: The Gladstone Hotel." Toronto. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www1.toronto.ca/City Of Toronto/Environment and Energy/Programs for Residents/PDFs/Eco-Roof/ecoroof_gladstone.pdf>."Making Toronto The Best It Can Be." Toronto. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www1.toronto.ca/static_files/economic_development_and_culture/docs/Sectors_Reports/prtd_finalreport_dec2007.pdf>."Christina Zeidler | Creative Collaborator." Christina Zeidler. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.christinazeidler.com/>."Parkdale Village BIA - BIA Listings - Business Improvement Areas | City of Toronto." Toronto. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=21abbb2729afa310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD>."Parkdale Village BIA." Parkdale Village BIA. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://parkdalevillagebia.com/history/>."Toronto Neighbourhood Guide." - Parkdale. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www.torontoneighbourhoods.net/neighbourhoods/west-end/parkdale>."About Queen Street West." Queen Street West BIA. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://queenstwestbia.ca/about_qsw.html>.

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"Mid-Rise Buildings In Context." Toronto. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www1.toronto.ca/City Of Toronto/Environment and Energy/Programs for Residents/PDFs/Eco-Roof/ecoroof_gladstone.pdf>."West Queen West Heritage Conservation District Study." Toronto. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www1.toronto.ca/city_of_toronto/city_planning/urban_design/files/pdf/hcd_westqueenw_study_bylaw.pdf>."History of NYC Streets: The Secrets of the Slips in Lower Manhattan." Untapped Cities. 14 Nov. 2012. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://untappedcities.com/2012/11/14/history-of-streets-the-secrets-of-the-slips-on-the-lower-east-side/>."History." Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://lmcc.net/history/>."Manhattan/Lower Manhattan." Lower Manhattan Travel Guide. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://wikitravel.org/en/Manhattan/Lower_Manhattan>."The Basics Of Md-Rise Buildings." Toronto. Web. 31 Jan. 2015. <http://www1.toronto.ca/City Of Toronto/City Planning/Urban Design/Mid-rise/Janes Walk handout.pdf>.McHugh, Patricia. Toronto Architecture: A City Guide. 2nd ed. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1989. Print.Macfarlane, David. Toronto: A City Becoming. Toronto: Key Porter, 2008. Print."On Site Queen West: A Unique Twist On A Boutique Condo." Globe and Mail. 30 July 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2015.

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