Capturing Mid-Century Toronto

A large rectangular apartment building. Teh building is white and hads many windows and balconies.

Discover the Annex's collection of mid-century modern architecture, spurred by international designers like Uno Prii.

As new populations began to arrive in the Annex, the architecture changed to accommodate the needs of its new residents.

Starting as a neighbourhood for Toronto’s elite, large houses originally lined the Annex’s streets. As the population of the neighbourhood increased, new types of architecture began to emerge to accommodate the young professionals that had moved in. Moving away from traditional forms, architects like Uno Prii created space-age designs that embodied the new spirit of the neighbourhood.

This digital tour was researched and developed by Emerging Historian Stephen Ficalora (2022) and made possible by the generous support of our Tours Program Presenting Sponsor, TD Bank and The Ready Commitment with the support of the Ontario Association of Architects.

Logo of TD Ready Commitment

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General Sources

Batten, Jack. The Annex : the Story of a Toronto Neighbourhood. Erin, Ont: Boston Mills Press, 2004.

Hammond Historic District. “What Is Modern Architecture?”, 2021.

Interview with Uno Prii-“Väliseesti arhitekt Uno Prii,” Eesti Arhitektuurimuuseum / Museum of Estonian Architecture, March 1990.

Lemon, James. The Annex: A Brief Historical Geography, Sept 1986.

McHugh, Patricia, and Alex Bozikovic. Toronto Architecture : a City Guide. Updated and expanded. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart, 2017, 225.

Thomann, Lauren. “What Is Modern Architecture?” The Spruce, February 10, 2022. 

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