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Victorian Architecture - An Obsession of Torontonian (2)

Writer's picture: Will ZhangWill Zhang

Most Victorian style architectures in Toronto are more than 100 years old. Normally, houses with that kind of age should have been demolished and rebuilt. However these ancient-looking houses do process some unique characteristics that matches the modern aesthetic, and some of those characteristics cannot be replicated. In this article we will be using both interior and exterior as examples to reveal the charm of these old Victorian-style homes,


Irreplicable, Classic Exterior

Whether its a common Bay and Gable style, or a Queen Anne Style house that looks straight from a fairy tale, these classically designed Victorian houses are still holding up well against those modern builds all over Toronto. Tons of houses still draw on the architectural designs of the century-old Victorian houses, even in this day and age.

Spacious Ceiling Heights

In a lot of people's mind, a 9 to 10 feet ceiling height is a concept that only came up in the past 20 years exclusively for newly-built high-end neighborhoods. Floor heights in neighborhoods from the 70s tend to be 7.5 to 8 feet tall. On the other hand, inspired by the slender element of Gothic churches, most Victorian style house have a main storey height of 10 feet or more, matching the modern aesthetic of spacious floor height.



An Unexpectedly Large Living Space

Most Victorian houses are semi-detached houses located in downtown Toronto. Despite their 15-20 feet lot width, their total living space above grade can always reach 1800-2200 SQFT. All thanks to the permitted density of Old Toronto, which can often be easily approved at above 1.0 at the hearing.


*Example of permitted density in a new neighborhood

VS example of permitted density in Downtown Toronto


Nostalgia Factor

Torontonian cherish their childhood memories a lot, as well as the places that carries them. Unique coffee shops, semi-outdoor fruit and flower stores, tree-lined trails, and back alleys filled with various graffities. All of this may seem untidy, but it builds up the memories and emotions of Torontonians. And those aged Victorian houses in these communities have become the best carriers for their feelings of nostalgia.

*Comparison of street views between new vs old neighborhoods



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