A guided tour of the city's most interesting homes.

Urban skyscrapers and suburban sprawl identify Toronto as a typical modern city. Yet there exists another, hidden Toronto a place of quiet tree-lined streets, graceful houses and appealing neighborhoods rich in character.

Old Toronto Houses is illustrated with brilliant color photographs that explore the signature styles of Toronto's urban architecture. It opens with Henry Scadding's rough-hewn log house built in 1794, then progresses through the city's landmark styles: Georgian, Regency, Gothic, Victorian, Greek Revival, Dutch Colonial and Art Deco. The book then chronicles the houses of 10 distinct Toronto neighborhoods, including laborers' cottages in Cabbagetown, Yorkville's Second Empire terraces, and St. George Street's Romanesque mansions. Many of these older homes have been beautifully restored inside and out, preserving their original character. Each one is an example of a time in Toronto's richly diverse history.

A new chapter explores Toronto's ever-expanding boundaries and illustrates the houses located in what is now known as the Greater Toronto Area -- in locations including Etobicoke, Scarborough, Thornhill, Richmond Hill and Oakville.

Featuring over 250 houses and over 400 color photographs, this book offers a loving look at how old houses add beauty and grace to a modern city.

text by Tom Cruickshank ; photography by John de Visser, R.C.A.

Tom Cruickshank's profile page

John de Visser, R.C.A. and the Grand River Conservation Foundation

John Visser's profile page

[Review from earlier edition:] Tom Cruickshank does it again, in illustrating the rich diverse and sometime eclectic architecture in Toronto... breathtaking photography of John De Visser.

Edifice Magazine

[Review from earlier edition:] A thing of great beauty and charm, something that will draw from you oohs and very possibly aahs.

University of Toronto Bookstore Review

[Review from earlier edition:] There isn't a lot of esoteric information here, but there's lots of eye-candy.

Toronto Sun

[Review from earlier edition:] Like taking a heritage tour... distinguished by rich, diverse histories and unique architectural character. If you love older graceful houses...

Style at Home

[Review from earlier edition:] A book that consciously decides to put the city's best architectural foot forward, and does it beautifully... very visually impressive... dramatic.

Acorn: The Journal of The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario

[Review from earlier edition:] Stunning pictorial books, such as [these], inspire and encourage us to keep looking for that beautiful old house. [Featured with Old Ontario Houses]

Antique and Collectibles Showcase magazine

[Review from earlier edition:] Elegantly done.

Conde Nast Traveler

[Review from earlier edition:] An expansive look at residential gems ... beautifully illustrated with more than 400 photographs.

Globe and Mail

[Review from earlier edition:] The pictures and detail encourage a walking tour of homes in Rosedale, The Annex, Parkdale or Wychwood Park and many other neighbourhoods.

National Post

Those interested in architecture, Toronto or old houses will enjoy this impressive book. [blog carried by Alliston Herald, Barrie Advance, Blue Mountain Courier Herald, Collingwood Connection, Huronia Bush Times, Innisfil Journal, Midland Mirror, Meaford Express, Orillia Today, Stayner Sun, Wasaga Sun)

http://www.metrolandnorth.typepad.com/glenn_perrett/

[Review from earlier edition:] Tours of outstanding Toronto neighborhoods... lavish... sure to popular with architectural and historical buffs and serves as a renewed wake-up call to preservationists.

Toronto Star

[Review from earlier edition:] The admirable writing is overshadowed only by the stunning photos.

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