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Doors Open Toronto (pg. 2)
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| Stilez |
| quote: | Originally posted by spitty
401 Richmond West is an historic factory building that was constructed in five stages between 1899 and 1923. Originally occupied by tinware lithographers, the Macdonald Manufacturing Company, it is now home to over 140 cultural producers and microenterprises. In 1994, new owners purchased the building, aiming to provide affordable downtown workspace for artists and creative enterprise. Within 18 months, the largely vacant building was transformed into a fully leased and thriving cultural community centre. Renovations and attractions include over 800 original double-hung pine windows that are being restored, an expanded lobby with industrial detailing, refinished floors, ceilings and columns, a glass elevator, courtyard, historic studio doors, public art displays, an arts enriched early learning centre, a lush rooftop garden, a glass-walled bridge (“skywalk”), and The Roastery Coffee House. In 1999, Heritage Toronto honoured 401 Richmond with an Award of Merit for Outstanding Adaptive Reuse. |
I eat lunch there alot during the summertime. It's right behind my work building and is literally across the window from my desk. Really relaxing looking at it everyday. The Malamute who guards it is just as beautiful. I was supposed to have enjoyed this event this weekend, but instead, I'm working from home :( :confused: :sadgreen:
I would encourage everyone, especially all you TOTA's who aren't born and bred in the city to go out and get to know this city... something other than just the clubs and bars. |
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| Stilez |
| quote: | Originally posted by MikeyN
i always wanted to sneak into lower bay station through museum station, never got around to it, tunnelrunning is more exciting anyways, and since i'll be busy tomorrow and on the boat cruise sunday, looks like i still need to sneak in
edit: has anyone here been to lower queen station? |
I viewed it about 8 yrs ago when I was there for a commercial that someone I knew was in. I was also recently there, when they were conducting work at St. George and BLoor...the trains detoured through there. Everyone was awed..and taking pictures. Funny..yet cool at the same time. |
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| smuncky |
| quote: | Originally posted by MikeyN
edit: has anyone here been to lower queen station? |
theres really nothign to see i dont think as it was never finished. ive only seen pictures of it and its just an unfinished tunnel with a slightly raised platform. but i guess it woudl still be cool to take a peak. |
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| smuncky |
well day 1 is done and i gotta say i accomplished more than i expected. ttc day pass ftw!
here are some pics of my journey.
SAS Institute
- Awesome building. So many things done to make this a leading green building in Toronto. Just shows how much this company cares about its employees.
Front Entrance
Inside employee lounge looking from the 8th floor.
Skylight
View from the terrace/balcony
View from the terrace/balcony
Looking east
Lower Bay Station
- The line was HUGE! I didn't think it would be so long. But the wait wasn't that long at all. Maybe 20-25 minutes. They gave everyone tags (I was 633) and Adam Giambrone was there as well talking to one of the workers. Being a transit enthusiast, I loved every bit of this. So forbidden. This was a great move by the TTC to do this.
Empire Sandy Tall Ship
- On my way to Fort York, the streetcar stops at a red light at Spadina and Queens Quay, and I see the white ship and I remember that it's one of the sites of Doors Open. So I got a bit lucky there.
Fort York
- Overall pretty cool. I've been to some forts in Quebec and also to Fort Niaraga but once you've seen one, you've pretty much seen them all.
So they are going to tear down the Gardiner
Love that bear
Canadian Armoury
- It was on the way to BMO Field so I thought I'd check it out, but unfortuently came a bit too late cuz they were pretty much done with their festivities.
Mercedes $$$
BMO Field
- The last stop today. I decided to stop by and see the field when it was empty. Let me tell you, it looks great. Now I gotta see it when it's full of people and there's a game going on.
More pics here
Can't wait for tomorrow. Too bad it's going to rain :( |
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| m2j |
| quote: | Originally posted by smuncky
Looking east
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that is ing awesome. looks great.
Unfortunately I won't be going this year as I have assignments due on Monday.
But I gotta say, last year, at the end of it all I thought to myself (aside from a few exceptions) the architecture in Toronto is fairly mediocre... there is nothing mind blowing... just clones of successful building in other parts of the world. Anyone notice that? Or am I just being pessimistic?
oh and btw, everyone check out 401 Richmond... awesome building. a lot of cool galleries in there + the inner courtyard + roof garden is amazing! love that place. |
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| smuncky |
| quote: | Originally posted by m2j
Or am I just being pessimistic?
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you're just being pessimistic
| quote: | Originally posted by m2j
oh and btw, everyone check out 401 Richmond... awesome building. a lot of cool galleries in there + the inner courtyard + roof garden is amazing! love that place. |
yeh hopefully it wont be raining too hard. but is that where that thing was that you did mahan? the [im]parting thing right?
btw mahan, im going to check out the OAA building tom. as well :D
too bad my sony camera is in repair so i had to use my old/crappy kodak. ew. |
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| Stilez |
Those are some great pics dude. That SAS bldg looks amazing. Will have to visit that one soon.
..and let me tell you, the BMO field filled with fans is absolutely amazing. The vibe the fans bring is incomparable to anything else in this city. The only thing that can compare is the Raps or Leafs in the playoffs...but that's the dif. They have to be in the playoffs to get that response.. TFC are in last place and still get that response everygame...from start to finish :tongue3
yeah yeah..i know it's a new franchise.. i'm just saying... |
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| m2j |
| quote: | Originally posted by smuncky
you're just being pessimistic
yeh hopefully it wont be raining too hard. but is that where that thing was that you did mahan? the [im]parting thing right?
btw mahan, im going to check out the OAA building tom. as well :D
too bad my sony camera is in repair so i had to use my old/crappy kodak. ew. |
yup, 401 is the same building we had the show in.
oooooh yea! the OAA! Thats like a 3min drive from my house, I have work from 1:30-5. What hours are they open for viewing? I may go to check it out quickly b4 work.
What time are u going there, alex? |
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| spitty |
the SAS building was one of my favourites.
did anyone go see the Robertson building? it had a living wall that was cool and the offices and rooftop garden were awesome |
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by m2j
But I gotta say, last year, at the end of it all I thought to myself (aside from a few exceptions) the architecture in Toronto is fairly mediocre... there is nothing mind blowing... just clones of successful building in other parts of the world. Anyone notice that? Or am I just being pessimistic?
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trying to be as unbiased as i can, i agree with you. i mean TO does have its gems like any other city, but nothing that totally blows my mind either. can't really fault the city for it tho given how young it is and the fact that most of the rapid development occurred in the 70's and 80's not to mention the lack of natural vistas like mountains. Tho it's still no reason why we can't get better which I think is the important thing. there are signs tho.. now all we need is a better public transit system ..
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| FunkyCrew |
great pics Alex, e I should have joined you today :( but woke up late and all the stuff
and with the boat cruise tomorrow, seems like I'm missing it :( next year for sure! |
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