Commerce Court facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Commerce Court |
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Commerce Court's central plaza, surrounded by Commerce Court North (left), Commerce Court East (centre), and Commerce Court South (right)
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| Alternative names | CIBC Buildings Commerce Court-North, -South, -East, -West |
| General information | |
| Type | Commercial offices |
| Location | Toronto, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°38′53″N 79°22′44″W / 43.6481°N 79.3788°W |
| Completed | North tower: 1931 Complex: 1972 |
| Owner | British Columbia Investment Management Corporation |
| Management | QuadReal Property Group |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 48 foot mast antenna on Commerce Court West |
| Roof | West tower: 239 m (784 ft) North tower: 145 m (476 ft) |
| Top floor | 57 (West Tower) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | West tower: 57 North tower: 34 East tower: 14 South tower: 5 |
| Lifts/elevators | West tower: 31 North tower: 10 East tower: 8 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | York & Sawyer Page + Steele Architects I.M. Pei & Partners |
| Developer | CIBC |
Commerce Court is a group of office buildings in downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It's located in the city's busy financial area. The main company there is the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC), which uses it as its head office. This group of four buildings shows off different styles of architecture, like Art Deco and International Style.
Contents
History of Commerce Court
The land where Commerce Court now stands has a long history. It was first home to Toronto's very first Methodist church, a small wooden chapel built in 1818. Later, it became a theatre.
Building the First Tower
From 1887 to 1927, a seven-story building for the Canadian Bank of Commerce (CIBC's earlier name) stood here. This building was torn down to make way for a new, much taller headquarters. This new building, now called Commerce Court North, was finished in 1931.
When it was completed, the 34-story Commerce Court North tower was the tallest building in the entire British Empire. It held this record for about 30 years, until 1962.
Adding More Buildings
In the 1970s, three more buildings were added to the complex. This created the Commerce Court we know today. These newer buildings include Commerce Court West, East, and South.
A Sign Blows Off
On January 9, 2008, a part of the CIBC sign on top of Commerce Court West blew off. Strong winds caused this to happen. Police had to close off nearby streets to keep people safe. This event happened after similar incidents in Toronto, like a piece of marble falling from First Canadian Place.
Who Owns Commerce Court?
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce sold the complex in 2000. It is now managed by GWL Realty Advisors. However, CIBC still has its main office there. CIBC plans to move its headquarters to a new complex called CIBC Square in the future. But they will still keep some offices at Commerce Court.
Exploring the Commerce Court Site
Commerce Court is a large business area with four main buildings and a central outdoor space. It is surrounded by important streets like Bay Street, King Street West, and Wellington Street West. The buildings are also connected to the PATH network, which is a system of underground walkways in downtown Toronto.
The Towers of Commerce Court
Commerce Court North: The Original Tower
The first building, Commerce Court North, opened in 1931. It was designed by American architects York and Sawyer with help from Canadian firm Darling and Pearson. At the time, it was one of Canada's most impressive company headquarters. It even had a public observation deck where people could enjoy the views, but this is now closed.
Later Additions to the Complex
In 1972, three more buildings were added to complete the Commerce Court complex. These were designed by Pei Cobb Freed & Partners with Page and Steele.
- Commerce Court West: This was the tallest of the new buildings, standing 57 stories high. From 1972 to 1976, it was the tallest building in Canada. It also had an observation floor on its 57th level.
- Commerce Court East: This building has 13 stories and was also built in 1972.
- Commerce Court South: This is the smallest of the four, with 5 stories.
In 1994, the outdoor plaza, the banking area, and the underground shops were updated. There are now 65 retail shops located below the complex.
Commerce Court Building Details
| Building | Image | Year completed | Height | Floors | Address | Architects | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commerce Court East |  |
1972 | 56 metres (184 ft) | 14 | 18 Wellington Street West | Pei Cobb Freed & Partners with Page and Steele | |
| Commerce Court North | .jpg) |
1931 | 145 metres (476 ft) | 34 | 25 King Street West | York and Sawyer | |
| Commerce Court South | 22 metres (72 ft) | 5 | 30 Wellington Street West | Pei Cobb Freed & Partners with Page and Steele | |||
| Commerce Court West |  |
1972 | 287 metres (942 ft) | 57 | 199 Bay Street | Pei Cobb Freed & Partners with Page and Steele |
The Central Plaza and Art
In the middle of the Commerce Court buildings is an outdoor plaza. It has a beautiful fountain and three bronze elephant sculptures. These sculptures are called Tembo, Mother of Elephants and were created by Derrick Stephan Hudson in 2002. They were placed in the plaza in 2005.
The plaza has even appeared in pop culture! It was used as a stand-in for Wall Street in some sketches from the comedy show Kids in the Hall.
Who Works at Commerce Court?
The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC) is the main company that uses Commerce Court. Their headquarters are located there. However, CIBC plans to move its main office to CIBC Square starting in 2020. This move will also bring together other CIBC staff from different Toronto offices.
Other important companies that have offices in Commerce Court include:
- B2B Bank
- Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
- Deutsche Bank
- Guardian Capital Group
- Stikeman Elliott LLP
Other notable tenants include the Canadian Bankers Association, Ricoh, and CIBC Wood Gundy, which is a part of CIBC.
See also
In Spanish: Commerce Court para niños
