E.J. Lennox Canada’s great architect
E.J. Lennox: The Man Who Shaped Toronto
On my walk in early December through St. James-the-Less Cemetery in Toronto, I came across the grave of one of the city’s great architects — Edward James Lennox.
E.J. Lennox was truly a visionary. Over the course of his career, he designed more than 70 buildings in Toronto, many of which still stand today as defining landmarks. In many ways, he gave a growing city its much-needed sense of style, scale, and permanence.
After graduating at the top of his class in architecture, Lennox founded his own firm in 1881. Within a few short years, he rose to the top of his profession and became one of the most celebrated architects in the country.
In 1886, he won the contract to design Toronto’s City Hall — now known as Old City Hall — a masterpiece of the Richardsonian Romanesque style, characterized by its heavy stonework, rounded arches, and medieval European flair. Lennox’s architectural signature became unmistakable, blending elements of 11th- and 12th-century French, Spanish, and Italian design.
His lasting legacy includes:
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Mausoleum of Hart Massey, Mount Pleasant Cemetery
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Toronto Athletic Club
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The King Edward Hotel
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Casa Loma
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St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Bloor St. E.
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Toronto Western Hospital
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And most of the historic homes in The Annex neighbourhood
E.J. Lennox died in Toronto on April 15, 1933. He was 78.
Next time your walk in this great city, look up once in a while. His legacy is all around us amongst the glass and steel.
1854-1939
Mausoleum of Hart Massey, Mt. Pleasant Cemetery,Toronto.
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Bloor Street East, Toronto.
Casa Loma, Toronto
The King Edward Hotel, Toronto.
The Toronto Athletic Club, College Street, Toronto (Stewart Building).
