Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Layers of Change

College of Pharmacy

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

1. Layers of Change Marker

Inscription. This building was originally designed by architect Matthew Sheard for the Ontario College of Pharmacy. Sheard was a prominent local architect with ties to the medical and political realms. He was known primarily for his work in Chicago after the great fire of 1871.

In 1891, the College constructed an addition to the building, also by Sheard, with two state-of-the-art teaching laboratories at the north end of the building. The footprint of the building still remains, as do the original chimneys and window openings on the west side. In 1940, Page & Steele Architects designed a new east wing and removed most of the original architectural features on the front of the building, creating a modern facade.

In 1963, the College relocated to the University of Toronto's St. George campus, having transferred to the Faculty of Pharmacy. The building was acquired by Ryerson Institute of Technology and used by the Department of Architectural Technology, the School of Journalism and the Ryerson Theatre School. In 2017, Ryerson University rehabilitated the site as the Centre for Urban Innovation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 43° 39.585′ N, 79°

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22.784′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. It is on Gerrard Street East 0.1 kilometers east of Church Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44 Gerrard St East, Toronto ON M5B 1W7, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ontario College of Pharmacy (here, next to this marker); Toronto Normal School Coat of Arms (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); The Toronto Normal and Model School (about 150 meters away); The Toronto Normal School (about 210 meters away); Ryerson Polytechnical Institue (about 210 meters away); Le Coq d’Or Tavern (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); St. Andrew’s Church (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Northfield (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

2. Layers of Change Marker

Former College of Pharmacy Building, showing The 1940 change in the facade image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tim Boyd, October 24, 2024

3. Former College of Pharmacy Building, showing The 1940 change in the facade

Credits. This page was last revised on November 6, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 110 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.