Bay & Gable house are of a distinct architectural style and these houses were common in late nineteenth and early twentieth century in Toronto, Ontario and its surrounding suburbs. It is characterized by a two-story asymmetrical building with a triangular bay window. The bay of the house typically projects out from the face of the house, forming an L-shape when viewed from the side. The gable is most commonly side-gabled or front-gabled, meaning the ridge of the roof runs perpendicular to the street, or parallel to the street respectively. Other common features of these houses include a terracotta roof, stucco or wooden siding, a veranda, and often a stone base. Originally developed by architects George Miller and E.J. Lennox, the Bay & Gable style house is characterized by a steeply pitched roof, large chimneys, an open front porch and symmetrical facade, and often a bay window. The houses typically have two or three storeys and the facade is composed of brick with stucco touches on the eaves and gables. They are often painted in bright, light colors, with typically brown or grey accents.
Bay & Gable houses are a common sight across Toronto and have become a symbol of the city. Not only are they beloved by Torontonians, but these homes have been featured in movies and television shows set in the city. The style takes inspiration from both English and French traditions, and it strikes the perfect balance between traditional and modern. These homes are beloved for their timeless aesthetics, and they are often considered a sign of solid financial stability.
Bay & Gable houses are ever-present in older parts of Toronto, Canada, due to their popularity among upper-class settlers. These houses are named for their signature gabled roofstyle, which gives them a very distinctive look. The shape of the roofline is usually symmetrical, and two fascia boards often span from the top of the gable at the peak of the roof. The houses often have one and a half stories, with deep front porches and large windows. Common characteristics include uneven-width lapped siding, rounded double-hung windows, brick or stone foundations, and a steeply pitched roofline. Bay & Gable houses often boast interior features such as wood-paneled rooms, fireplaces, wide staircases, and stained-glass windows. While modern versions of these houses may vary in size and roof style, they still remain true to the original Bay & Gable aesthetic.
The Bay & Gable style of home is often seen as a signifier of prestige and wealth, as these houses require a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail. It is usually considered a marker of quality construction, and continues to be a popular choice for new home owners in Toronto. The most prominent feature of bay and gable houses is the large window that covers more half of the front portion of the house, surmounted by a gable roof that slopes away from the window. The window is often arched and is typically flanked by two other windows, giving the house a symmetrical appearance. Other features may include textured wooden siding, decorative shingles, stone patterns, and shuttered windows. These features have combined to give the bay and gable house a particular character and charm that is both unique and distinctive.
Classic bay and gable houses are usually semi detached, made of red brick and two and half story tall. They typically feature a rectangular, symmetrical shape and a prominent roof, with the front-facing gable and equal pitch, or ratio of the two roof planes. They often include a large window at the peak of the gable, a small porch at the front entrance, and a set of steps leading up to the entrance. The bay windows on the front or side of the house are the hallmark feature of the style, and are typically found on both sides of the house.
Many classic houses still exist in Cabbagetown and Little Italy, Toronto. These homes include modest and large, two- and three-story detached homes from the late 19th- and early 20th-century that reflect a wide range of architectural styles. Examples of architectural styles from different eras include Victorian, Gothic Revival, Queen Anne, Romantic cottage-style homes, and Edwardian townhouses. Many of these homes still have their original stone and brick exteriors and features like gables, turrets, or ornate cornices. Inside, you’ll find original leaded, stained-glass windows, pocket-doors, decorative moldings, and woodworking. Many offer impressive views over the rooftops of these Historic Districts.
Cabbagetown was one of the City of Toronto's first 'Garden Suburbs. It is home to some of the most beautiful and well-preserved Victorian terraced houses and cottages in Toronto. With its pristine streets, planted with maple trees, winding alleyways and inviting Victorian stoops, Cabbagetown offers a unique window into early-to-mid 20th-century life.
Little Italy has a distinct Italian charm; visitors are drawn down its picturesque, narrow streets lined with old townhouses and detached homes. Brick-fronted homes feature distinctive features such as peaked roofs, ornate brackets, marble and brick entries, bay windows, turrets and swags.
Torontonians admired these type of houses because they are well suited for the layout of the city and high ceiling and long windows allowed light to reach the entire depth of the house, creating a feeling of openness and airiness in the home, which was particularly appealing in a densely populated area. The durability of the materials also played a major role in their appeal, since they were built to withstand both snow and floods. Additionally, some people may have been drawn to the unique architectural design of these homes, and its vibrant colours. John McKay, a former chair of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, observed that the overall look of the houses was “graceful and poetic.”
Victorian Revival style dominated the Toronto architectural style as the steep roofs and sharp vertical lines of the bay and gable imitates the Gothic style. This style was popular as it required a low amount of material and labor costs to constructor which made it economically viable for city’s working class. One example of the Victorian Revival style can be found in parts of Spadina Avenue, north of Dupont Street. The advent of the modern movement brought more abstract design styles to Toronto’s architecture. Structures of the modern movement were composed of straight lines and geometric structures that frequently disregarded the traditional Victorian design ideals. An example of a structure from this movement can be found at the intersection of Yonge Street and Bloor Street, where the Toronto-Dominion Centre is located. This cluster of structures stands out as a beacon of modern movement in the city. As the glass and concrete construction reinforces the feeling of a modern era at the same time, but the rooftop network of interconnected gardens communicates the green space initiatives adopted by the city.
More recently, Toronto has embraced historic preservation efforts to ensure the character and diversity of the city. An example of the preserved architecture found in Toronto is the Distillery District. This area of Toronto is defined by 19th-century brick features that give this district a unique atmosphere and charm. The preservation of this district has allowed the industrial atmosphere of the area to remain and contribute to the city’s identity. Overall, Toronto has a vast range of architectural styles, from the original Victorian style to the modern movement era as well as the more recently adopted preservation movement. Each style provides a unique sense of identity and contributes to the cultural makeup of the city.
Wealthy house owners used to decorate the large windows and gables. They had elaborate window treatments in velvet and silk, sometimes encased with heavy draperies and elaborately carved woodwork. Larger windows had wrought iron bars and even stained glass. In addition, large-paned windows and multiple panes were popular, as were diamond patterns of glass set into the stone or brick of the exterior wall. The windows often had small, diamond-shaped panes, many of them with a pointed arch at the top. These windows provided ventilation as well as allowing in natural light. Many middle people used bricks in the front side and wood were used for back and sides of the house to save money. Bay and gable houses are a common style of home in England and other parts of Europe. This type of house typically has two sections, with a gable roof over each section. The gable roof allows for more space and light in the attic and rooms on the upper floor. The front of the house often has a bay window, which creates a distinctive triangular shape when viewed from the side. The sides and back often have cladding made from more cost-effective materials such as wood or Vinyl Siding, which is less expensive than the brick that can often be found in the front.
Bay and gable style faded after the Second World War as modernization changed the architectural style. It still remains popular among Toronto residents for its appealing features. The style is typically characterized by: symmetrical facades, large double-hung windows, bay windows in the front, tall gables, and steep roofs. In modern terms, this could be interpreted as an example of neoclassical architecture.
The ornate detailing of the bay and gable style was considered to be unfashionable in the post war period. This marked a shift to modern, functional buildings. The bay and gable style was replaced by utilitarian, modernist architecture in the 1950s and 1960s. This included the use of concrete, steel, and glass as well as high-rises.
However, in recent years, the bay and gable style has seen a resurgence in popularity. It has been embraced again by city planners and architects as an attractive alternative to the plain, modernist architecture of the last several decades. This is seen in the many new office and condo buildings that feature bay and gable designs in Toronto.
The bay and gable style is still considered to be iconic in Toronto. This is due to its connection to the city’s history and identity. Furthermore, the style can be easily identified due to its ornate detailing and unique features.
In older areas of the city several new infill projects have been built in the bay-and-gable style that resembles the historical architecture of the area. Contemporary designs are also seen throughout the city, including high-rise condominium towers and angular architecture. Toronto has a large number of green spaces within and bordering the city, providing a variety of recreational areas for its citizens. The city's parks are well-maintained, and many have monuments, outdoor pools, sports fields and playgrounds. Toronto has numerous attractions and activities for all ages, including the world-famous CN Tower, the world's tallest freestanding structure, the expansive Royal Ontario Museum, the CN IMAX theatre, the Toronto Zoo, the Toronto Islands and numerous shopping, dining and nightlife options.
In the northeastern suburb of Markham, there are subdivisions filled with bay-and-gable houses modified to incorporate a two car garage. The well-developed infrastructure includes excellent schools, plenty of shopping options, recreational facilities and parks. Markham also provides families with easy access to the neighbouring cities of Toronto and Vaughan, as well as the larger region of the Greater Toronto Area.
|
