Temple Building

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The Temple Building in 1902
The Temple Building in 1902

The Temple Building was one of the first skyscrapers built in the city of Toronto. It was erected in 1896 to house the world headquarters of the Independent Order of Foresters, which was a friendly society that acted as both a fraternal order and an important financial institution. The IOF was then run by the energetic Oronhyatekha who commissioned the grand structure. It was designed by George W. Gouinlock.

The building was located at Richmond and Bay Street. Upon its completion it was Toronto's tallest builing, a title it would hold until the Trader's Bank Building was built in 1905. The building was demolished to make way for the Queen-Bay Centre which still stands on the site.