Love the stories with this building. Foundations were so bad that a corner of the building was falling into the ground, one room was said to have floor boards sticking straight up because of how the foundations were failing. The bricks were of such cheap quality that at the end of its life that an inspector broke one in half with hands. Rumour was that university students once threw a turkey onto the roof, and it’s bones stayed there until it was demolished because you couldn’t take a step on the rough without falling through.
matt_the_non-binarysays
The big thing in the sixties was functionality over style. Not to mention the fear of nuclear annihilation (though that was largely a US fear)
It made for some intriguing architectural decisions. And the razing of countless beautiful buildings.
It would’ve been awesome to see this place in person though.
Xtovalsays
This building was never built to stand the test of time or withstand the harsh climate of the Canadian prairies. It was about to collapse before they put it out of its misery. So I personally don’t lament its demolition. But I’m not a fan either of the rather bland modernist city hall they built in its place. Lost opportunity.
DutchMitchell says
Damn that’s a beautiful building
Tarv2 says
And replaced by an ugly brutalist box.
mrj62698 says
Urban development in the 60s was a cursed time.
VHSRoot says
Sadly is an understatement.
AmnesiacGuy says
That’s one overwrought cake.
davidx204 says
Love the stories with this building. Foundations were so bad that a corner of the building was falling into the ground, one room was said to have floor boards sticking straight up because of how the foundations were failing. The bricks were of such cheap quality that at the end of its life that an inspector broke one in half with hands. Rumour was that university students once threw a turkey onto the roof, and it’s bones stayed there until it was demolished because you couldn’t take a step on the rough without falling through.
matt_the_non-binary says
The big thing in the sixties was functionality over style. Not to mention the fear of nuclear annihilation (though that was largely a US fear)
It made for some intriguing architectural decisions. And the razing of countless beautiful buildings.
It would’ve been awesome to see this place in person though.
Xtoval says
This building was never built to stand the test of time or withstand the harsh climate of the Canadian prairies. It was about to collapse before they put it out of its misery. So I personally don’t lament its demolition. But I’m not a fan either of the rather bland modernist city hall they built in its place. Lost opportunity.
nickgt1969 says
Same fate befell Hamilton city hall….
old and new