Temple Building (Toronto)

{{For|the building in Rochester, New York|Temple Building (Rochester)}} {{Use Canadian English|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox building | name = Temple Building | image = Temple Building, Toronto.jpg | caption = The Temple Building in 1902 | alternate_name = Temple of the Independent Order of Foresters | location = 62 Richmond Street West<br />Toronto, Ontario Canada | coordinates = {{coord|43.6513|-79.3818|region:CA-ON_type:landmark|display=it}} | demolished_date = 1970 | completion_date = 1895-1896 | status = Demolished | building_type = Commercial offices | architectural_style = Romanesque Revival | height = {{convert|36.93|m|abbr=on}} | floor_count = 12 | elevator_count = | architect = George Wallace Gouinlock | engineer = | main_contractor = | developer = | owner = | operator = | references = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/237789 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307024800/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/237789 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |title=Emporis building ID 237789 |work=Emporis}}</ref><ref>{{skyscraperpage|10339}}</ref> }}

The '''Temple Building''' was a 12-storey, {{convert|36.93|m|ft|adj=on}} 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, who looked to Chicago's high rise buildings, and specifically the Rookery Building, for inspiration.

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. Foresters left the building in 1953 for a new building at 590 Jarvis Street at Charles Street (later as Metro Toronto Police HQ and demolished).<ref>{{cite news| url = https://www.theglobeandmail.com/real-estate/old-police-hq-to-make-way-for-condos/article1049443/| title = Old police HQ to make way for condos - The Globe and Mail| website = The Globe and Mail| date = 19 December 2003| last1 = Avery| first1 = Simon}}</ref>

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 in 1967 to Foresters House at 789 Don Mills Road.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/buildings/132714/foresters-house-toronto-canada |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304091745/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/132714/foresters-house-toronto-canada |url-status=usurped |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |title=Foresters House, Toronto | 132714 |publisher=Emporis |date= |accessdate=2022-05-03}}</ref>

==Legacy== A portion of the facade of this building can be found at Guild Park and Gardens in Scarborough.

{{gallery|File:Remains of Toronto Temple Building.jpg|The remains of the Temple Building at Guild Park and Gardens. }}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== {{Commons category|Temple Building}} *{{cite news | author=Kevin Plummer| title=Historicist: Toronto's First Skyscraper] | url=http://torontoist.com/2008/08/historicist_torontos_first_skyscrap.php | work=Torontoist | date=30 August 2008 | access-date=6 August 2013}} *[https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/71626/vol42_2_77_99.pdf?sequence=1 "Toronto's Edwardian Skyscraper Row"] in JSSAC 40 - 2015

Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1970 Category:Demolished buildings and structures in Toronto Category:Office buildings completed in 1896 Category:Office buildings in Toronto Category:Romanesque Revival architecture in Canada Category:Skyscrapers in Toronto Category:1896 establishments in Ontario Category:1970 disestablishments in Ontario