William H. Wright Building
A six-storey streamline moderne office tower that housed The Globe and Mail and exemplified Toronto’s modernist ambitions before its demolition in 1974.
At a glance
The William H. Wright Building stood as one of Toronto’s finest expressions of streamline moderne design. Completed in 1938, it served as home to Canada’s influential Globe and Mail newspaper and became a landmark of the city’s interwar architectural renaissance.
History
Built between 1937 and 1938, the structure was named after William Henry Wright (1876–1951), founder of The Globe and Mail. The newspaper occupied the building as its headquarters, anchoring the structure’s purpose and prestige. In 1974, it was demolished to make way for the Exchange Tower, marking the end of an era of streamline moderne architecture in downtown Toronto.
What you see
Designed by the Toronto firm Mathers and Haldenby, the building rose six storeys with the distinctive horizontal lines and aerodynamic forms characteristic of streamline moderne. Its design reflected the optimism and forward-looking aesthetic of the 1930s.
Cultural significance
The Wright Building represented Toronto’s architectural confidence during the Great Depression. As the home of The Globe and Mail, one of Canada’s most important newspapers, it held both cultural and commercial significance. Its demolition reflected the city’s modernization priorities of the 1970s.
Key facts
- Country: Canada
- City: Toronto, Ontario
- Coordinates: 43.649°N, 79.379°W
- Designed by: Mathers and Haldenby
- Built: 1937–1938
- Demolished: 1974
Practical information & getting there
The building no longer stands. Visitors interested in Toronto’s streamline moderne heritage can explore other surviving examples throughout the downtown core and nearby neighborhoods.
Sources & resources
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