Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Posh Bookstore

This is the entrance to the U of Toronto Bookstore which is contained in the Koffler Student Services Centre on College St. It was one of the buildings open for the Doors Open event a couple of weeks ago so I dropped in to check out a few books. The building was constructed in 1908 in Beaux Arts style as one of the 10 Carnegie libraries in Toronto and the largest one in Ontario. It was built to be the Central Library for the city and remained so until 1977 when a new larger library was built on Yonge St and U of T took over the building to be used as its main bookstore and also serve as a student centre. I'll show a bit from inside tomorrow.
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

25 comments:

Michelle said...

I like the design of this building. Looking forward to seeing the inside.

21 Wits said...

A fine structure and I can just imagine the inside is remarkable too. It reminds me of the Andrew Carnegie libraries (some now closed and used for the arts) not too far from my house!

Taken For Granted said...

Since it was a library originally, it likely had enough shelf space to be used as a bookstore. The building looks more like a church or mausoleum. Books? Do students still buy books? Thought they only accessed websites on their phones and tablets.

VP said...

A bookshop in a former library is great!

Sharon said...

What a great repurposing. It's a perfect setting for a book store.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I just know this building is going to be fab inside as well as out Pat. I must keep my eyes open for our open house weekend.

Anonymous said...

A very grand entrance indeed!

Lowell said...

I haven't thought of college bookstores in a long time. I always looked for used bookstores near the university as one of the major costs of going to college was books!

Impressive building. I shall look forward to seeing what it's like inside!

Gosia said...

the bookstore looks like church

Revrunner said...

Looks like a bank.

William Kendall said...

I like the style of the building. We once had a Carnegie library as our main library- I don't know if any of the other branches happen to be Carnegies.

cieldequimper said...

Wouldn't mind shopping there even though the books might just be a little bit too academical!

Nonnie said...

I'd expect no less of a stately design in a Carnegie building. Our Carnegie library is now used for geneology and historic documents and photos having to do with our city and county.

Lesley said...

Carnegie Libraries have a certain stately look to them, don't they?!

Tom said...

Built before handicap accessibility I;d say! Tom The Backroads Traveller

Cloudia said...

Carnegie built one in Honolulu too; long before it was part of the US. Glad to see he didn't let the northern border held back his generosity.









ALOHA
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=

Randy said...

Nice looking bookstore.

Stephanie said...

Great looking entrance!

Halcyon said...

It looks very fancy, indeed!

Gemma Wiseman said...

The building looks impressive with all those steps leading up to the entrance.

Tanya Breese said...

beautiful!

Unknown said...

Wonderful façade!

EG CameraGirl said...

If I ever visit Toronto to take photos of the U of T, I'll have to hire you for my tour guide! You seem to know your around very well!

Gerald (SK14) said...

I do hope there is an alternative to all those steps.

Jack said...

Beaux Arts . . . I see many buildings from this period, but I didn't know the style name. Buildings like this always look strong and patrician to me.