Buildings
412 Graham Street
| Formerly: | Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Shoppers Drugmart |
|---|---|
| Address: | 412 Graham Street |
| Use: | My Family Dentist |
| Original Use: | Bank |
| Constructed: | 1953–54 |
| Other Work: | 1994, Conversion of bank to drug store |
| Architects: | Green Blankstein Russell & Associates |
| Firms: | Green Blankstein Russell & Associates |
More Information
Designed by Green Blankstein Russell and Associates, 412 Graham was built between 1953 and 1954. Since the closure of the bank branch, the building has housed commercial tenants.
The building features a rounded corner entrance meant to be more friendly and inviting to customers. The floor to ceiling windows which wrap around the two prominent facades provide the interior with ample light. The exterior was constructed with polished limestone and a granite band which frames the large windows.
The building has since been divided into three separate spaces for a variety of tenants. Currently the building is home to My Family Dentist, the Helix hearing clinic, and Taste of Mediterranean.
Design Characteristics
- The elegant and understated former CIBC bank branch utilized a corner entrance to make the most efficient use of its prominent site
- The rounded corner layout, while having many historic precedents, was chosen to make a statement of friendly accessibility. The solid, imposing monumental banks of the past replaced with modern designs that appeared more inclusive and open
- Pre-dating the surrounding buildings, the bank features floor to ceiling windows across two sides, fully lighting the interior
- The exterior walls are faced with polished limestone, with brown granite providing a band of detail at grade and around the windows
Sources
- L. W. Townsend, "The Why and Wherefore of Modern Bank Design," Journal of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada.