Date: 1929

Origin: CNE Archives

The Automotive Building is an Art Moderne pavilion featuring open, fluid spaces. Yet one’s initial impression is that the Automotive Building, with its Roman arched windows, is classical in design. In fact, architect Douglas Kertland skillfully harmonized both styles to produce a graceful, functional structure. Constructed in 1929 at a cost of $1 million, the Automotive Building was described by Sam Harris, then President of the CNE, as “a gem of exposition architecture.” The Automotive Building is significantly situated to formally frame the Princes’ Gates and boulevard. Recently renovated, the building is highly visible from both the Exhibition Place grounds and the lakefront. For almost four decades, the Auto Show was the most popular event presented at the annual CNE. And it was in the Automotive Building that fair-goers were treated to glimpses of the latest models in cars and trucks, such as the revolutionary Tucker presented in 1947. Today, the Automotive Building is a conference facility known as the Allstream Centre.