Nov. 15, 2008: AGO reopens

The Art Gallery of Ontario’s giant glass facade may feel like a natural part of Toronto’s streetscape today, but it was only eight years ago that the gallery’s revamp made its grand reopening.

The four-year project, headed by renowned architect Frank Gehry, started its renovation process in 2004. Throughout the building process, many voiced criticism of the project: some wondered if the building could live up to Gehry’s legacy, as he was only revamping it and not creating an entirely new building himself, while others were concerned the budget might be too small.

But when it was unveiled, there was nothing but love for the new design, which had many artists reveling in the modesty of its beauty, according to one Toronto Star column. With files from Star staff