Architectural Oddities in Canada

Discover 42 architectural oddities in Canada.

Toronto, Ontario

Oculus Pavilion

A space-age 1950s pavilion on a secluded path is full of Toronto history surprises.

Drumheller, Alberta

The Little Church

A six-person chapel n the middle of Alberta's badlands.

Guelph, Ontario

The Petrie Building

This building's metal facade is the last of its kind in all of Canada.

Montreal, Québec

Wooden Squirrel Carvings

The vaulted ceiling is home to a scurry of “squirrelgoyles.”

Montreal, Québec

St. Patrick's Basilica

Its columns were all carved from the same white oak tree.

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

Living Water Wayside Chapel

Only six people can sit inside this delightfully quaint sanctuary.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Woodward's Spiral Staircase to Nowhere

A unique spiral staircase that doesn't quite make it up to the top floor.

Toronto, Ontario

Winter Garden Theatre

A botanically themed auditorium blooms within the world’s last operating double-decker theater.

Vancouver, British Columbia

Brock Commons Tallwood House

The "plyscraper" is the world's tallest building made predominantly out of wood.

Inuvik, Northwest Territories

Our Lady of Victory Church

This house of worship in the Arctic Circle is shaped like an igloo.

Toronto, Ontario

Leslieville's Crazy Doll House

This Toronto garden collects stares and tchotchkes in equal measure.

Toronto, Ontario

Toronto's Half House

Willy Wonka would love this weird half-a-home.

Montreal, Québec

Biosphere of Montreal

Designed by Buckminster Fuller, this relic of the 67 Expo survived fire and ice.

Iqaluit, Nunavut

St. Jude's Igloo Cathedral

This igloo-shaped landmark in Iqaluit serves as the seat of the Diocese of the Arctic.

Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

Log Skyscrapers of Whitehorse

When the big city meets the edge of the frontier, log skyscrapers are born.

Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Québec

Hôtel de Glace

Chilly Canadian hotel has a four-month lifespan due to the unusual "materials" it's made of.