Architecture for the Concrete City Bus Tour

Join architecture critic Alex Bozikovic for a fascinating full-day bus tour exploring the evolution of Toronto’s public architecture!
About this Event

In the 20th century, Toronto embraced a new language of public architecture, intended to welcome the public and strengthen community in a city that was growing and evolving rapidly. This tour will explore a few of the most important sites, including winners of the Heritage Toronto Awards, and ask: how are these buildings of the 1960s and 70s evolving to keep up with contemporary needs?

Highlights of the tour include:

• FitzGerald Building at UofT, revitalized in 2025 into a sustainable, energy-efficient, and accessible hub through adaptive reuse
• Scarborough Civic Centre, built in 1973 as the original municipal city hall for the former Borough of Scarborough
• Toronto Public Library - Albert/Campbell Branch, transformed in 2024 into a contemporary, integrated hub for the local community

This tour will be led by Alex Bozikovic. Alex has been the Architecture Critic for The Globe and Mail since 2013. He covers architecture, planning, landscape architecture and related subjects ranging from the built environment to housing policy. His book (2022) on the social and architectural history of cities across the country was a national bestseller. His first book, (2017) is a comprehensive guide to buildings in Toronto.

Start and End Point: Three Way Piece No.2: Archer Sculpture, Nathan Phillips Square (100 Queen St W)

Ticketing and Tour Information:

Two presentations are offered for this tour: Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, November 1.

This tour departs at 11:00 AM and ends at approximately 5:00 PM.

Tickets for the tour must be purchased in advance online. No tickets may be purchased on site.

While light refreshments and snacks will be offered complimentarily as part of this bus tour, participants are expected to bring full lunches with them on to the bus.

Please note: Some portions of this tour will require guests to dis-embark the bus. Some stops will include light walking outside over uneven or unpaved terrain. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and dress prepared for weather. This tour runs rain or shine.

If you have any questions prior to the tour, please contact us at [email protected]. If you have any issues finding the group on the day of the tour, you can reach staff on-site at (647) 542-3450.