Doors Open Toronto: Canda Life Assurance Building

At last I was downtown proper at Queen and University at the entrance to the Canada Life building. This building is a landmark of a sorts.

It's been around for years and has a distinctive tower that lights up to give weather conditions.

This was a working model of the actual piece in the front lobby of the building. I went down a hallway where there was a video playing on the construction of the building back in the day. Afterwards I went out to the main elevator lobby where there was a line up of people waiting to go up somewhere. Me being curious I got in line, and boy was there a line. All the way out the back and across a small street. Luckily the street was blocked off. It gave me a chance to take a few pictures while I waited for what we were waiting for.



Well finally the wait was over and my turn arrived for the elevator ride. We get in and the operator told us that today was special because the 17th floor observation room was only opened two days a year, and rarely to company executives. The two days were the Doors Open Toronto. So a short ride later we were let off on the 17th floor. Immediately I found a spot to change lenses because the place was so small and my 50mm didn't cover enough. It was worth the the change and wait.





Oh right, the view. Mustn't forget the view...
West:

South:

And finally East:

On the way down the elevator operator told us that there used to be balconies in front of all the doors. Time and corrosion unfortunately took there toll and they aren't being replaced. One last shot of the medallion in the main lobby and I was off to my next stop, Campbell House.


Paladin Phil

Update: I knew I should have included the codes for the light beacon. Here is the wiki article on the building and the beacon.