Frank Darling (architect)

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Frank Darling (1850-1923) was a Canadian architect and key player in buildings built in Toronto during the early 20th century and promoter of the Beaux-Arts style.

Darling, a graduate of Trinity College, Toronto, studied and trained in England 1870-1873. He partnered with John A. Pearson (as well as Henry Sproatt and Curry) to form a successful design firm and shaped commercial development in Toronto during the 1910s to 1920s.

Darling was the first Honorary President of the Toronto Beaux-Arts Club, member of the Holt Commission for planning of Ottawa (1913-1915),

Darling projects include:

• First tall steel-frame building in Canada, Winnipeg 1904 with George A. Fuller Co.
• Bank of Commerce in Winnipeg, Manitoba, one of Canada's finest examples of Beaux-Arts design
• Sun Life in Montreal, Quebec, the largest building in the British Commonwealth
• Bank of Commerce in Ottawa, Ontario
• Victoria Hospital for Sick Children 1892 by Darling and Curry
• Bank of Montreal building 1885, now home of the Hockey Hall of Fame
• The Church of St. Mary Magdalene 1908

Awards won by Darling:

• 2nd place in government building competition of 1907

• First Canadian to win the Royal Institute of British Architects Gold Medal 1915

[edit] References

• Bank of Montreal Building
• Old Trinity College and Trinity College Gates