Girl Guides of Canada Headquarters 50 Merton Street Toronto South Eglinton-Davisville
First Owner:
Girl Guides of Canada - Guides du Canada
Occupant:
Girl Guides of Canada
First Occupant:
Girl Guides of Canada - Guides du Canada
Year Completed:
1962
OTHER IDENTIFICATION
Awards:
The Girl Guides of Canada Headquarters has received enduring recognition for its design since its completion. It was published in Canadian Architect in June,1962 and Architectural Design, September, 1963. In 1982, it was slected to be included as a representative of Canadian Architecture in the OKanada exhibition held in Berlin at the Akademie der Kunst. In 2003, the Toronto Society of Architects included the Guides' HQ complex as a representative of Toronto's modern architecture. In 2008, the headquarters was included in a country-wide travelling exhibition "architecture e + c: work of elin+carmen corneil, 1958-2008" initiated by the Canadian Architectural Archives. In 2016, it was included in the exhibition "True Nordic: How Scandinavia Influenced Design in Canada" held at the Gardiner Museum, Toronto
Notes:
The Girl Guides of Canada Headquarters at 50 Merton Street was the first permanent and purpose-built national headquarters for the organization since its founding in Canada in 1910. It was originally a two-storey complex completed in 1962 to the design of Carmen Corneil, project architect for William J. McBain & Associates. In 1970-72 it was extended with a third storey on the rear section by the partnership of Elin and Carmen Corneil. The complex has been recognized as a significant and innovative work of Post-War Modern architecture and particularly represents the globally influential leadership of the Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. It has also been lauded on its own terms for its innovation which was based in a meaningful interpretation of site and program and fulfilled in exceptionally fine details and selection of materials.
In 2011, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board installed a plaque at 50 Merton Street in recognition of the national significance of the Girl Guides of Canada through its designation of the Girl Guide Movement in Canada a National Historic Event. The Girl Guides Movement was founded in 1909 in England and established in Canada in 1910 with the creation of several local branches including Toronto. The citation on the plaque at the property notes the importance of the Girl Guides as both a Canadian and international organization which emphasizes the "outdoors, character-building, and self-reliance… the organisation has provided Canadian girls and women with strong inspirational role models in order to nurture responsible, service-oriented citizens and community leaders.
The Girl Guides of Canada Headquarters is situated on the north side of Merton Street, east of Yonge Street within walking distance of the Davisville Subway Station. Between Yonge and Mount Pleasant Road, the context of the street is characterized by a mix of building types, heights and periods representing its evolution and history. While Merton Street presents an architectural and typological mix, the post- war development following the advent of the subway and the increased presence of social agencies is one of its strongest defining features of its history. The Girl Guides' headquarters building at 50 Merton Street is an important contributor to that particular neighbourhood character.
Please see the attached sources for more information, the history of the Girl Guides, the building, the architect and archival photographs, architects' drawings and maps.
-Marybeth McTeague
Status:
Completed
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