100 King Street West, a history

100 King Street West is a prominent office tower located in the financial district of downtown Toronto, Canada. The building was designed by architectural firm Bregman + Hamann and completed in 1975. It is a 72-story tower owned by Brookfield Office Properties.

The location where 100 King Street West was built has a long history dating back to the early 19th century when the land was first purchased by the city of Toronto from the British Crown. The land was originally used for a variety of purposes, including as a market square, city hall, and a courthouse. By the mid-20th century, the site was occupied by several buildings, including a 10-story office tower that was demolished to make way for 100 King Street West.

When the tower was completed in 1975, it was one of the tallest buildings in Toronto and a symbol of the city’s growing financial district. The building’s modernist design was typical of the era, with a concrete and glass facade and a distinctive triangular shape that allowed for maximum use of natural light.

Over the years, 100 King Street West has been home to a variety of prominent tenants, including major Canadian banks, law firms, and financial services companies. In 2011, the building underwent a major renovation that included upgrades to its mechanical and electrical systems, elevators, and common areas, as well as the addition of new retail space on the ground floor.

Today, 100 King Street West remains an important landmark in Toronto’s financial district and a symbol of the city’s growth and development over the past century.

100 King Street West architectural style

The architectural style of 100 King Street West in Toronto is modernist, which was a popular style in the mid-20th century. The building was designed by the architectural firm Bregman + Hamann and completed in 1975, and its design reflects the aesthetic and functional ideals of the modernist movement.

Modernist architecture is characterized by a focus on clean, simple lines, a rejection of ornamentation and historical styles, and an emphasis on functionality and efficiency. These principles are reflected in the design of 100 King Street West, which has a simple, angular shape with a concrete and glass exterior.

The building’s triangular shape was intended to maximize the use of natural light and create more efficient floor plates for office use. The building’s use of glass and exposed concrete reflects the modernist ideal of honesty in materials, as well as a desire to create a visual connection between the interior and exterior of the building.

Overall, 100 King Street West is a prime example of modernist architecture in Toronto and an important part of the city’s architectural heritage.

The atrium of First Canadian Place is one of its most distinctive features. It rises 34 stories and is the largest indoor public space in Toronto, covering an area of over 250,000 square feet. The atrium is located at the base of the tower and is accessible from the street level through a set of large glass doors.

The atrium is a popular gathering place for people who work in or visit the tower. It features a variety of shops, restaurants, and other amenities, including a food court, a pharmacy, and a post office. The space is also home to a number of events throughout the year, including concerts, art exhibits, and other cultural events.

The atrium is designed to be a bright and welcoming space, with natural light streaming in from the large skylights above. The interior features a modernist design, with clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic. The space is also decorated with a number of artworks, including sculptures and murals, which add to its visual appeal.

Overall, the atrium is a unique and impressive space that is an important part of the First Canadian Place complex. It is a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, and is one of the most recognizable features of the Toronto skyline.

100 King Street West Current Tenants

As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the current tenants of 100 King Street West in Toronto include a mix of financial services, law firms, and other businesses. Some of the major tenants include:

• Bank of Montreal
• CIBC
• Dentons Canada LLP (law firm)
• National Bank of Canada
• OMERS (pension fund)
• Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP (law firm)
• RBC Dominion Securities
• Scotiabank
• TD Canada Trust

In addition to these tenants, the building also has a number of smaller tenants, as well as retail and food service businesses on the ground floor. The exact tenant mix may have changed since my knowledge cutoff date, as tenants may move in and out of the building over time.

Notable events at 100 King Street West

There have been a number of notable events that have taken place at 100 King Street West over the years. Here are a few examples:

1. In 1991, the building was evacuated after a bomb threat was called in. The threat turned out to be a false alarm, but it caused a major disruption to businesses in the tower.
2. In 2008, the tower was the site of a protest by members of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The union was protesting the use of non-unionized workers in the construction of a new hospital in Hamilton, Ontario, which was being financed by a company that had offices in First Canadian Place.
3. In 2010, a fire broke out on the roof of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished, but it caused some damage to the roof and caused some disruption to businesses in the tower.
4. First Canadian Place has also been the site of a number of film shoots over the years, including scenes from the movies “The Vindicator” (1986) and “Johnny Mnemonic” (1995), as well as TV shows like “Suits” and “Nikita”.

Overall, First Canadian Place has played an important role in the history of Toronto and has been the site of a number of noteworthy events over the years.