Once upon a time this very spot was a farm. Now, we stand before Bell Trinity Square. This office complex occupies a piece of Toronto’s history. It stands on the former site of the Eaton’s Annex.
Bell Trinity Square gets its name from a few things. First, Bell Canada used to be the main tenant. Second, it sits south of the Church of the Holy Trinity. Third, it’s part of Trinity Square.
Construction happened from 1980 to 1983. John C. Parkin designed the post-modern complex. It features a 15-floor tower and a 10-floor tower. A glass atrium connects them. The building also links to Toronto’s PATH, an underground walkway.
Before Bell Trinity Square existed, this area was part of the Eaton’s Annex. By 1900, the area around the church transformed. It became Eaton’s Annex, a sprawling complex. By 1919, Eaton’s had built a 10-floor furniture building here.
A major renovation finished in 2010. It brought Bell Trinity Square up to LEED Gold standards. It was the first retrofitted building in Toronto to reach this level. After the renovation, CIBC started using part of the site.
Trinity Square itself is a public space. The Toronto Eaton Centre borders it on the east. Bell Trinity Square forms the south and west boundaries. The Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre hotel sits to the north.
The square’s centerpiece is the Church of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Trinity Rectory and the Henry Scadding House also stand here. These are heritage buildings. A fountain, a pond, and a labyrinth path add to the square’s charm.
Trinity Square has a rich history. John Simcoe Macaulay once owned the land. His father, James Macaulay, acquired it in 1797. Macaulay sold the land in 1845. He donated some for the Church of the Holy Trinity.
In the 1970s, the Eaton’s complex faced demolition after a fire. The Church and square were threatened. Parishioners fought to save the church. They succeeded. The mall’s design changed to preserve it. Protests also saved Old City Hall.
The square’s design is thoughtful. Granite and concrete pavers create patterns. Trees line the walkways. A water feature includes a tall outlet. Water flows into an ornamental pond. An artificial stream runs beside the walkway to Bay Street. The Church of the Holy Trinity is a focal point. The walkway offers views of the church.
A clock tower stands near the church. It resembles the columns at Bay Street. Three colonnade-like structures mark the entrance to the Toronto Public Labyrinth. The labyrinth’s design comes from the Chartres Cathedral in France. Granite blocks mark the labyrinth entrance. They also highlight the buried Taddle Creek. The labyrinth faces true north.
Bell Trinity Square blends history, architecture, and urban design. It stands as a testament to Toronto’s past and present.