2. 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
TheParkdaleRailway
4
3. 1889The 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.
TheGladstone
Constructed
5
4. 1890
Introductionofthe
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
5. 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.
DiminishingReputation
oftheGladstoneHotel
7
6. 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.
InteriorRestoration
8
7. 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.
CupolainDisrepair
9
8. The exterior was updated with metal
sheathing and glass block for
street-front presence.
1950ANewStreet
Presence
10
9. 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.
RedefiningParkdale
11
10. 1980’s
Second 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
MovingArtists
12
11. 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’sInfluence
13
12. 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
14
13. 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
sites
for 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
2
15. 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
16
16. CASE STUDY - PLACE
Haight Ashbury
1906
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.
17
17. CASE STUDY - PLACE
Lower Manhattan
1973
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
18
18. 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
19
19. 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
20
20. 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
21
22. History and Case Studies
The Gladstone Hotel
Sarah Iserhienrhien| Rhiana Hendriks | Casey Yuen | J. Irazawa | IRN 600 | 02.02.15
23.
24. 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_dec20
07.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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25. "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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