Geotype Submission

The Geotype project charts the rich history of lettering and type forms that have established the identity of cities and towns around the world. Explore the map

How does this letter-form communicate its location?

The Dineen Building, located at 140 Yonge Street, at Temperance Street, was built over 115 years ago in 1897. It was built for a company called ‘W and F Dineen Company’, who produced and sold hats, caps and furs. Over the years, it became quite derelict, and had it not been designated a ‘Toronto Heritage Property’ in 1973, and therefore not allowed to be torn down, it probably would have been considered for demolition at some point. in 2012 it was taken on by a developer, Clayton Smith, and has been brought back to its former splendor. Although the interiors have been modernized, some elements of the old building have been retained. In the foyer of you will find the preserved directory board of former tenants. This graphic gem resurfaced during restoration, complete with its stone carved title and hand painted, gold-leafed lettering. A quirky mix of serif and sans serif fonts are presented here, rendered in solid and outlined characters. This way-finding relic could have been easily dismantled during the renovation. Now it offers visitors a window into the building’s past.

Location

Dineen Building, 140 Yonge St, Toronto, ON M2R 3V1, Canada