TORONTO POWERHOUSE

Architect Name: E. J. LENNOX
Architectural Style:
Builder Name: BEVERLY R. VALUE
Designated: No

Historical Notes

THE FIRST CANADIAN-OWNED GENERATING PLANT ON THE RIVER, IT WAS THE CREATION OF TORONTO ENTREPRENEURS WILLIAM MACKENZIE, HENRY PELLATT AND FREDERICK NICHOLLS. BUILT ON LAND RECLAIMED FROM THE RIVER, THE PLANT GENERATED UP TO 125,000 HORSEPOWER OF ELECTRICITY WITH THE GENERATORS CONNECTED BY DRIVESHAFTS TO THE TURBINES 150 FEET BELOW

Architectural Notes

THE STRUCTURE WAS BUILT IN A CLASSICAL RENAISSANCE STYLE WITH NORTH AND SOUTH WINGS ATTACHED TO A CENTRAL SECTION. DETAILS INCLUDE HORIZONTAL CHANNELING, ROUNDEL WINDOWS, IONIC COLUMNS AND AN ORNATE BALUSTRADE ATOP THE ENTABLATURE. THE NORTH END HAS A SEMICIRCULAR BAY WITH SCROLL BUTTRESSES CROWNED BY PYRAMIDAL FINIALS.