305 Lost Buildings of Canada

by Raymond Biesinger, Raymond Biesinger (Artist)

The legacies of theaters, hotels, fire stations, flour mills, and more — torn down, burned down, and otherwise lost — are uncovered in this bittersweet collection. Using archival photographs, blueprints, and written reports, Raymond Biesinger has rendered a selection of Canada’s most iconic lost buildings in his signature minimalist style.

Accompanying Biesinger’s illustrations are Alex Bozikovic’s descriptions which capture each building’s historical, cultural, and architectural significance. Bozikovic draws on local histories, archived building permits and his own extensive knowledge of the Canadian urban architectural landscape and its history — from the letters passed through Kelowna’s unlikely art deco post office to the destruction of a home in Halifax’s Africville — to offer fascinating, sometimes forgotten stories about each building and its significance.

An impossible architectural walking tour, 305 Lost Buildings of Canada spans the country, its cities and countryside, and its history. Cities change, buildings come and go, but in this fact-filed compendium, you’ll find the lost wonders of Canada’s architecture.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Architecture, Canada, Design, Art

200 pages, ebook

Published March 22, 2022

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would’ve thought that 2023 would be the year I read a nonfiction book about this history of some lost buildings in Canada? Not me hahaha, but here we are. This book had really nice drawings, and I loved all the historical facts about the building being highlighted, and what’s in its place today. A great gift book for Canadian readers!

[Drew Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

For people who know me well, it is no surprise that I loved this book!

It is very interesting seeing the history and urbanization of all parts of Canada represented through the types of buildings and institutions that were built. I was also intrigued seeing what the locations were used for now (yes, I did look up the addresses on Google Maps. No surprise there lol)

[Lana Shupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A walk through Canadian history by exploring the history of the buildings no longer in existence.

A province by province look at some of the landmark buildings that have not been saved from the wrecking ball, fire or weather. I can remember seeing some of those buildings in Halifax, PEI, Toronto and New Brunswick. Made me sad and nostalgic all at once.

Short, concise historical insight into each building is accompanied by line drawings of the building itself.

[Christina Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raymond Biesinger and Alex Bozikovic have created a fine work of Canadian history and architecture in their new book “305 Lost Buildings of Canada.” A delightful combination of short history and beautiful graphic art brings these 305 lost buildings from across Canada to life. The short vignette style describing each building’s history and architectural style goes beyond that building’s life in giving a view of that city’s history and how common events like fire and urban redevelopment and the extraordinary events like the Halifax Explosion and the Laurier Palace Theater Fire have shaped the cities as they are today, both socially and architecturally. There are some real gems of architecture and character that are featured, including the great cinema houses, hotels, houses of industry, churches and department stores. With buildings dating from the 17th century to the 1970s, this fun and informative read gives a panoramic view of Canadian history and architecture.

[Kaitlin Wainwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can a book be fun and bittersweet? If you’re writing about lost nostalgia, of course it can.

Alex Bozikovic’s latest work, with beautiful renderings by Raymond Biesinger, captures the memory and legacy of buildings that none of us will ever get to see again. Biesinger’s work is eye-catching and makes you want to flit from one example to the next, but Bozikovic’s story of each building will captivate architectural enthusiasts and the curious alike.

The moment is ripe for a book like this: At a time when fewer people feel connected to buildings than before, Lost Buildings offers is a geographic and cultural range that will make almost everyone feel connected.

[Claudette R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, historical book about Canada's lost buildings. The drawings are beautiful. I may have focused on the cities I know but I enjoyed the entire book. I especially liked the historical descriptions of various Canadian cities. Great book for anyone that enjoys Canadiana, architecture and urban history.

[Wanda Baxter · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review for Atlantic Books: https://atlanticbooks.ca/stories/wand...

[Julian Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starkly illustrated in black-and-white, this book is a paean to the many beautiful buildings in Canada that have been destroyed in the name of progress.

[Brian Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a compact and concise book about unique buildings that no longer exist. Many were destroyed by fire.

[Servabo · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Rome, generations of buildings have been constructed on top of their forebears. Layers of history are preserved in tiers of stone. In Canada, many structures live on only in memory. Cities change, buildings come and go. We all know this, and usually it's something we take for granted; another beat-up house, an empty church, an obsolete office building pulled down and sent off in dumpsters. But we lose things along the way: traces of how we used to live, and the art and craft of previous generations. The movie theatre that was the center of neighborhood life; the letters that passed through Kelowna's unlikely art deco post office; the Cecil Hotel's rambling stories about Calgarian booms and busts.

In a few places, destruction was greeted as a gift. These are lost buildings that held certain people and inflicted terrible suffering upon them. The world of heritage often overlooks the darker themes in our collective history. What used to stand tall and proud as an architectural marvel - now, run to the ground as a parking lot for capitalist shopping centers. What used to spur curiosity for art, design and beauty - now simply, replaced by cold, flat concrete and urban sprawl. The spirit and vitality for creativity - now, emptied and razed to make way for robotic repetition of the 9 to 5's monotony. Lives are still here, but spirits have gone.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love architecture and how could I resist after seeing my beloved lost Bulova tower on the front cover? The star is Raymond Biesinger's illustrations, with further descriptions of the building's materials and style and mention of the historical significance of the building. (This book started with his Lost Buildings of Canada series.) It took me way longer to finish than it should because I kept going to the internet to find pictures of these buildings. This is a treasure.

[claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was an interesting read! surprisingly funny and i liked the fact that they didn't shy away from detailing exactly how many canadian cities were built on stolen land.

obv the ontario section was my fav <3 but also it is bonkers crazy there used to be a huge band stand in jean meance park....i would have liked to seen in

for a fun drinking game take a shot every time a building was described as being burnt down because a mishap happened with the fire department in town.

[Sandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a meticulous presentation of Canadian buildings that were lost over time to either natural or human causes. Each façade’s illustration is accompanied by a brief history of the building. The names of the architects, the years of construction and the indigenous communities that inhabit(ed) the land are mentioned. It is rather astounding that most of these beautiful buildings became parking lots…

[Edward Fenner · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book but not quite what I expected. The images inside are like those on the cover which is an interesting approach but I was expecting (and wanting) more detailed sketches, illustrations, engravings, and photographs. Still, one gets a sense of what was lost. The text was fine but a bit on the brief side.

[Annika Dyck · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting perspective on the buildings that cities and societies have decided are not worth restoring or have disappeared from history. I would have loved to have seen some of the places in real life!

[Matt Vaughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun to skim and flip through this, particularly for cities you’ve spent meaningful time in. Probably best accompanied by a browser with Google Streetview open so some of the most recently departed buildings can be seen in their neighbourhoods.

[Serenity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry I feel like this could've been much more than it was... I read the first 55 pages but felt like I wasn't really learning anything. I skimmed the rest.

[Michael Primiani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cool look at some lost buildings of Canada, however a little stretched to include multiple from each province

[Dani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty cool. I wish I was better at imagining buildings from black and white but alas