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Sun Life Centre, West Tower, Toronto

The Sun Life Centre (WZMH Architects, 1984) consists of two buildings on the northwest and northeast corners of the intersection of King Street and University Avenue. The buildings seem at first glance to be mirror images of each other, but this one is 24 storeys tall and its companion has 28 storeys.

Many people complain about the proliferation of overhead wires in Toronto, but they make me feel as if I'm living in a sculpture. Which I enjoy.
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18 comments

Sarah P. said:

The bright yellow makes the rest of the shot more vivid.
As for the overhead wires, here as always you expertly show how to use them for best effect.
I'm not sure I'll ever "enjoy" the ones I encounter in our city, but I agree that at times they can add a sculptural element. But I would probably not miss them if they weren't there, preferring trees myself.
6 years ago

John FitzGerald replied to Sarah P.:

Thanks, Sarah. But trees are living things. They should be allowed to run free, not be trapped in cities for our pleasure.

Toronto has actually been doing things to free trees from servitude, mainly giving their roots more room to grow. Dying trees were humanely removed from Berczy Park -- an overcrowded concentration camp for trees, so that the remaining trees could live. On University Avenue some trees on the sidewalk have been given more room for their roots to grow under the sidewalk.
6 years ago

Rainer Blankermann said:

Great composition.
Have a Happy and Healthy 2019. Stay connected!
6 years ago

John FitzGerald replied to Rainer Blankermann:

Thanks, Raainer, and the same to you.
6 years ago

rdhinmn said:

I won't ever share your fascination with the overhead wires, but you do use them well in your photos, where they become diagonal elements that bring interest to otherwise horizontal and vertical compositions.
6 years ago

John FitzGerald replied to rdhinmn:

Thanks, Bob. You've helped me understand this.
6 years ago

Ulrich John said:

Poesie der Großen Stadt ! Toll, John !
6 years ago ( translate )

John FitzGerald replied to Ulrich John:

Thanks, Ulrich. An interesting way6 of looking at this.
6 years ago

Andy Rodker said:

I like some lines / wires - these for instance. And a very pleasing shot.
But I'm not sure I would ever want feel as if I were 'living in a sculpture'!!
6 years ago

John FitzGerald replied to Andy Rodker:

An interesting point, Andy. You made me think that in cities we pretty much are living in a sculpture regardless of whether there are wires or not. The Sierra de la Cabrera's imposing structures are unintentional and all the more remarkable for it. Downtown Toronto is to a large extent an attempt to create the same awe you feel in the Sierra de la Cabrera, but contaminated with vanity, pride, good intentions, etc. University Avenue, one of the main streets in downtown Toronto, was explicitly conceived as a monument.
6 years ago

William Sutherland said:

Excellent shot!

Admired in:
www.ipernity.com/group/tolerance
6 years ago ( translate )

John FitzGerald replied to William Sutherland:

Thanks, William.
6 years ago ( translate )

J. Gafarot said:

It is "The Brave New World" for real, John.
Superb picture.
6 years ago

John FitzGerald replied to J. Gafarot:

A good point, José, and one I hadn't really considered. One to work on, too. Thanks.
6 years ago

Keith Burton said:

I'm glad I read all the comments, otherwise I'd have made a fool of myself repeating just what Jean has said.............which is quite sufficient, I think!
6 years ago