The Canadian Bank of Commerce mosaic tile entryway is located at 197 Yonge St (just north of Queen St E) in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto.
In what today acts as a lobby to the 60-storey Massey Tower condo, there’s a beautiful cream-coloured mosaic tile floor accented with brown, gold, orange, and green borders. Its centrepiece is a gold-coloured ring with the words “THE CANADIAN BANK OF COMMERCE” surrounding the bank’s caduceus symbol. The logo showcases two green snakes entwined around a wand with a pair of outstretched wings at the top, both in brown.
This impressive four-storey building was built in 1905 and designed by architects Darling & Pearson. Created in Beaux-Arts style with Classical details, the building features two Ionic columns and two pilasters holding up the triangle-shaped pediment. The landmark was given heritage status in 1974. Although the bank vacated the premises in the late 1980s, the building’s residents still have the pleasure of admiring the lobby’s stunning mosaic tile floor.
The Canadian Bank of Commerce Lobby Photos
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 197 Yonge St
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
