User:Zanimum/Automotive Building

Location
Currently known as the Allstream Centre, the structure is on the southeast edge of Exhibition Place, north of Lake Shore Boulevard, south of the Direct Energy Centre, east of the Stanley Barracks, and west of the Princes' Gates.

Architecture
The structure's base is stone from a quarry near Queenston Heights, with "artificial stone" up top. Sticking to all Canadian material and workmanship added to the cost: using Indiana stone would have cost $989,299. The architect and general contractors noted that, while Queenston stone could be used throughout for an additional cost of $35,000, it would take too long for the shops to prepare the stone. The tender required the winner to pay "a minimum of 50 cents an hour for all men employed on the building."

Conception and background
Motor cars were first exhibited at the Canadian National Exhibition in the Transportation Building, built in ____.

As of 1928, the vehicles (including coupes, trucks, limousines, and buses) at the National Motor Show were overflowing into the Coliseum "and other places," including the Electrical Building. Visitors to the fair were noted to be increasingly coming by car, suggesting that every "state in the union is likely to be represented in the array of motor car markers on the grounds," and that it was "no new thing to see British Columbia and Alberta markers on the grounds." Officials had spots narrowed by roughly a foot, to increase capacity, and introduced parking attendants.

"The crowd that throngs this building daily and nightly attest to the popularity of the motor car. Even those who cannot buy go to see. On Saturday night the building was jammed to capacity. It is one of the best people-pullers in the park."

A Daily Star article published in the afternoon edition on Highways and Automotive Day pegged the total value at over a million dollars. The CNE directors held a luncheon hosting "leaders in the automotive world". Speakers included the general manager of Canadian Goodyear Rubber Co., C. H. Carlisle, and Dr. P. E. Doolittle, "well-known pathfinder" and president of the Canadian Automobile Association. As a result of the popularity, there was talk of building a new automotive building, perhaps even in time for the next fair. The fair President noted he'd meet with members of the industry and civic authorities on the proposal. The Globe noted that "sympathetic consideration of this exists in the minds of the City Council," noting the increase in overcrowding every year, but still was cautious about chances.

Exhibition City's (Exhibition Place) Transportation Building was cramped even for outside shows; the Simpsons moved its exhibit to three floors of the new expansion of their Queen Street store.

Design contest
A design contest was announced in later October 1928, launched in early November,

In October 1928, work was scheduled to begin in the winter;

A design contest was held, attracting thirty potential designs for the structure. The winner, apparently winning by a slim point margin, was announced December 12, 1928, as being Douglas E. Kentland. Charles B. Dolphin won second place, and Mathers & Haldenby third. Deemed the "most elaborate automotive building in the world", the CNEA withheld the design until they could adjust the interior.

It was to be built "immediately south" of the Electrical & Engineering Building. Cost was estimated at $1 million upon announcement, tendered at $1,000,299.26, and $1,000,299 upon the beginning of construction.

work was underway as of early April 1929. The Globe noted there was "no pomp or ceremony" to mark the start.

Interior dimensions were set at 445 feet long by 292 feet wide. The main storey was to offer 940,980 square feet of exhibition area, and the mezzanine floor 34,000 square feet. This was twice the area of the Electrical Building. It was to feature "modern lighting of the indirect type." It was to include a "public dining-room of sumptuous appointments." Decorative iron work was to be used throughout.

The cornerstone was laid June 12, 1929 by Sam Harris, VP, with invocation by Reverend F. C. Ward-Whate.

The building was opened August 26, 1929 by Premier G. Howard Ferguson.

Maple Leafs Garden builder and Toronto Maple Leafs owner Conn Smythe proposed converting the building into four ice arenas.

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Uses
During the CNE:
 * Art, manual education, home economics, and school projects from across the province, including work by auxiliary students and the disabled, in the Mezzanine. Displays moved there in 1939.
 * Seventh Annual Shirley Temple "movie double" competition

Through the rest of the year:
 * Art Directors' Club of Toronto annual exhibition of Advertising and Editorial Art
 * Canadian Graphic Arts Show
 * Canadian Mobile Home and Travel Trailer Show
 * Canadian National Samples Show
 * Canadian Packaging Exposition, later known as PacEx
 * Canadian Winter Sports Show
 * General Motors Motorama
 * National Automotive Parts and Equipment Show
 * Plastics Show of Canada
 * Toronto International Boat Show and National Marine Trade Show