The Great Canadian Skyline Thread!

[caltrane74]

Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, so even New York lags on some of the historic towers, even though some of the earliest towers have been demolished, in both cities.

[SkahHigh]

Originally Posted by caltrane74

Chicago is the birthplace of the modern skyscraper, so even New York lags on some of the historic towers, even though some of the earliest towers have been demolished, in both cities.

1930's Chicago had a better skyline than 2015 Montreal...

[Mrs Sauga]

Originally Posted by SkahHigh

1930's Chicago had a better skyline than 2015 Montreal...

1930's Chicago and especially 1930's NY had a better skyline than 2015 any city in Canada (except Toronto) and most cities in the US.

[Mrs Sauga]

Looking at that aerial map, Chicago looks a lot bigger.

[SkahHigh]

Originally Posted by Mrs Sauga

Looking at that aerial map, Chicago looks a lot bigger.

I walked Chicago's Downtown last November and it is absolutely massive. From one end of Michigan Avenue to another (from John Hancock to the Field Museum), it takes about 40 minutes. To get to the Willis Tower from Millenium Park it takes another 15-20 minutes.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by Mrs Sauga

Looking at that aerial map, Chicago looks a lot bigger.

It's not though, Toronto's travel's north away from Lake Ontario where as Chicago's stretches along the shore of Lake Michigan. I remember the view from the Hancock tower first of all being incredible but I was also amazed at how the city just drops off (height wise) a few blocks in from the lake.

[flipv]

Originally Posted by SkahHigh

I walked Chicago's Downtown last November and it is absolutely massive. From one end of Michigan Avenue to another (from John Hancock to the Field Museum), it takes about 40 minutes. To get to the Willis Tower from Millenium Park it takes another 15-20 minutes.

The walk from the lake to Yorkville takes longer than 40 mins, the walk from Jarvis to Spadina is also around 20 mins. Chicago just has taller buildings in this space while Toronto has more >500ft towers. It adds to the illusion.

[MolsonExport]

1930s lower Manhattan skyline is unbeatable. Best in history. Will never be bested.

skyscrapercity

[csbvan]

Yeah that is absolutely fantastic! The truly classic "skyline".

[SkahHigh]

So much awesomeness in one picture!

[caltrane74]

Originally Posted by flipv

The walk from the lake to Yorkville takes longer than 40 mins, the walk from Jarvis to Spadina is also around 20 mins. Chicago just has taller buildings in this space while Toronto has more >500ft towers. It adds to the illusion.

Lake to Yorkville - 45 minutes via Google Maps

Rosedale to the Annex - 36 Minutes

[logan5]

Toronto has a big skyline that few cities can match, but looking at each skyline through Google's 3d imaging, Chicago still looks quite a bit bigger. Looking at Wikipedia's list, Chicago has 73 buildings over 550 feet vs Toronto's 24. That's a major difference. The tallest list for Chicago only goes down to 550', but there appear to be hundreds of sub 550 towers.

[softee]

^ Yeah, but Toronto is catching up fast with eighteen 500+ foot towers under construction, compared to only three in Chicago.

Toronto also has loads more 500+ foot proposals than Chicago, and chances are the bulk of them will get built.

[Beedok]

Originally Posted by Mrs Sauga

1930's Chicago and especially 1930's NY had a better skyline than 2015 any city in Canada (except Toronto) and most cities in the US.

Bigger maybe, but not better. A lot of beige and brown towers with too much happening. Like modern day London where every tower wants to be the centre of attention. New York's always had that issue (it's been subdued today just because the more modern styles are less busy). A good skyline is like a good building or a good room, there's focal points, but there's also negative space to provide contrast.

[koops65]

Originally Posted by flipv

The walk from the lake to Yorkville takes longer than 40 mins, the walk from Jarvis to Spadina is also around 20 mins. Chicago just has taller buildings in this space while Toronto has more >500ft towers. It adds to the illusion.

Absolute distances: From Bathurst / Front to Jarvis / Front is 2.6 km or 1.6 mi (this would be the classic skyline view looking north from the islands)

From Yonge / Queens Quay to Yonge / Bloor is 3.3 km or 2 mi (from the lake to Yorkville)

Average walking speed 5 km/hr: 30 mins east - west and 40 mins north - south

Chicago distances: Lakeshore / North Ave to Lakeshore / Roosevelt is 4.9 km or 3 mi

From Lakeshore / Grand to Halstead / Grand is 2.8 km or 2.75 mi

Average walking speed 5 km/hr: 35 mins east - west and 60 mins north - south

Overall, Chicago is bigger, but not by all that much... and in number of skyscrapers, it's a similar story, Chicago is ahead, but not by all that much...

[Ashok]

I took this photo tonight:

Montreal by Asok Thirunavukarasu, on Flickr

[SkahHigh]

^nice pic Ashok!

[Razor]

Originally Posted by MolsonExport

1930s lower Manhattan skyline is unbeatable. Best in history. Will never be bested.

skyscrapercity

Fantastic pic!

Now I'm no architectural expert, but if I were to look in the dictionary under "art deco" skyline, would this pop up?

I love skylines from this period, but I'm also equally fascinated with those futuristic skylines a la' Shanghai.

[Martin Mtl]

/\ NY's Art Deco masterpieces are actually not visible on that pic: Chrysler, ES, Rockefeller Center... And that tells a lot about how amazing was New York back then compare to the rest of the world in terms of towers.

[Martin Mtl]

Montreal Downtown by Cdn Antman on flickr