Commerce Court is a destination like no other located in the heart of the Financial District in Toronto, ON. It is a complex of four office buildings that inspire the world of business and architecture; with a mix of historical architectural styles and high-profile tenants like the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).
Its history reaches back to 1931 when at that time, The North Tower, designed by the firm Pearson and Darling, was the tallest building in the British Empire and today remains a historical Beaux-Arts jewel. In 1972, three other buildings were erected, thus creating the Commerce Court complex.
Today, the North Tower’s stunning vaulted gold-coffered ceiling and classic Art-Deco style remains a heritage building. Commerce Court remains a marvel and showpiece in the heart of Toronto’s financial district.
THE CHALLENGE
The entrances at Commerce Court needed to be updated to meet AODA compliance and Ontario’s Building Code. The doors did not meet accessibility standards for Ontario. But the beauty of the building needed to remain intact—the building is one of Toronto’s most treasured heritage sites. Our challenge was to find a high end product that modernized the entrance but kept the beauty of the building intact.
THE SOLUTION
Dor-Control Craftsmen installed low-profile, low energy and full power Automatic Door Operators to keep the heritage look of the building but make the entrances more modern. We partnered with the Department of Heritage Canada on this project to ensure the beauty of the entrances remained intact yet still provided a more accessible option.
1. Compliment the Architecture of the Building But Make the Entrance More Modern
Your first impression when you walk through the front doors of a building is significant and long lasting. When you enter the building through an automatic door, you are instantly aware that the building is modern and up-to-date.
A modern colour, finish and design was chosen for the automatic operators to enhance the unique heritage style of the building.
2. Improve Convenience & Accessibility
Automatic door operators are more convenient for everyone of all ages and abilities and are required by AODA. They eliminate the aggravation and struggle of opening a heavy, manual door. Patrons have a postive experience the moment they walk through the entrance into the building.
The pair of doors simultaneously swing in the same direction allowing a wider and more convenient opening for those requiring a larger entrance.
3. Easy to Use and Maintain
Today’s automatic door operators are sophisticated, user-friendly and virtually self-sufficient. The automatic door operators were installed by Dor-Control Craftsmen with AAADM standards and are maintained regularly which helps ensure day-to-day operation is trouble-free.
4. Improve Energy Savings
Due to the automatic door operators being strategically installed in the common areas, they are effective at reducing wasted energy in multiple ways; the doors open and close quickly with each entry or exit and the doors don’t get stuck open letting valuable inside air get out easily. This significantly lessens annual heating and cooling costs.
5. Improve Safety
Properly installed automatic door operators are inspected annually by Dor-Control Craftsmen’s AAADM certified inspectors and safety-checked daily by premise owners, these automatic doors consistently provide safe, convenient access for everyone at Commerce Court.
CONCLUSION
Commerce Court needed to improve accessibility to their buildings to meet AODA and Ontario Buillding Code and provide a better experience for guests. Automatic door operators were the best solution to maintain the heritage of the building yet improve accessibility for everyone.
LOCATION & MAP
Commerce Court is in the financial district in Toronto. The main building was first built in 1931 and 3 additional buildings were added in 1972. Commerce Court remains a marvel and showpiece in the heart of Toronto’s financial district.
Dor-Control Craftsmen install, service and repair commercial automatic doors, security entrances and optical turnstiles. If you need drawings, specification, literature or you would like to speak to someone about your automatic sliding door system, please contact Dor-Control Craftsmen today.