Type Exhibition building Location Exhibition Place Opened 1911 | Architectural style Beaux Arts Address 15 Saskatchewan Road Owner City of Toronto | |
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The Government Building, also known as the Arts, Crafts and Hobbies Building, is a heritage exhibition building in Exhibition Place, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Built in 1911 for the annual Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), the building is currently used by one company of Medieval Times.
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Description
The building is a one-storey building with an "E" floorplan. At the intersection is a large dome. The architectural style is Beaux-Arts, designed by George Gouinlock.
History
The building was initially used for government displays at the CNE. The building became the host of the "Arts, Crafts & Hobbies" exhibit at the CNE. It was generally not used the rest of the year except for storage. During World War I, the building was used as barracks for Canadian soldiers. In 1959, the Government Building was used for town hall meetings on the planned Bloor-Danforth Toronto Transit Commission subway project.
In the 1990s, Toronto City Council sought to increase revenues from Exhibition Place during a time of government downloading. Medieval Times, a theatre company putting on recreations of medieval jousting, won a contract to operate the building.