| Automotive Building | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Main entrance to the building in 2017 | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Exhibition building |
| Architectural style | Art Deco |
| Location | Exhibition Place |
| Address | 105 Princes' Blvd |
| Town or city | Toronto, Ontario |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 43°38′02″N 79°24′38″W / 43.63381°N 79.41057°W |
| Current tenants | Beanfield Centre, formerly Allstream Centre |
| Construction started | April 1929 |
| Opened | August 26, 1929 |
| Cost | CA$1,000,299.26 (equivalent to $17,081,197 in 2023) |
| Renovation cost | CA$47 million |
| Owner | City of Toronto |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Steel truss |
| Floor count | 1 and mezzanine |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | D. E. Kertland |
| Main contractor | Jackson, Lewis Company[1] |
| Renovating team | |
| Architect(s) | David Clusaiu, principal architect |
| Renovating firm | NORR Limited, Architects & Engineers |
| Website | |
| beanfieldcentre.com | |
The Automotive Building is a heritage building at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, containing event and conference space. In the 1920s, as a result of burgeoning interest in automobiles, additional exhibition space for automotive exhibits during the annual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) was needed. A design competition was held, and the winning design was submitted by Toronto architect Douglas Kertland. The building opened in 1929, and the "National Motor Show" exhibit of automobiles was held in the building until 1967. It was also used for trade shows. When it opened, it was claimed to be "the largest structure in North America designed exclusively to display passenger vehicles".[2] During World War II, the building was used by the Royal Canadian Navy and named HMCS York. After the end of automotive exhibits at the CNE, the building was used for other CNE exhibits and continued to be used for trade shows.
In the 2000s, Toronto City Council decided to convert the facility into a conference centre complementary to the National Trade Centre (now the Enercare Centre) across the street. The building was renovated, constructing a ballroom in the main exhibit hall and conference rooms on the mezzanine level. The ballroom is considered the largest in Toronto. No longer used by the CNE or trade shows, the building is used year-round for various public and private events and conferences. The CNE has twice sold the naming rights to the convention facility. In 2009, it was christened the Allstream Centre and since March 2017 has been known as the Beanfield Centre.[3] The current logo and signage reflects those agreements.[3]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
gm1929-03-28was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Public notice - Heritage land". City of Toronto. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ a b "Announcing Beanfield Centre". Retrieved March 1, 2017.