Lesser recognized buildings in Toronto that you enjoy

[egotrippin]

Where the Stouffville GO line meets the Lakeshore GO line; that's the physical junction from whence the name arrives.

You can think of the Scarborough GO Station on the LSE as the neighbourhood landmark.

The geographical reference will tend to be used a bit more to the areas north-east of the station, heading in the direction of Danforth Road + St. Clair vs the areas south and west.

Yes, I notice that Google maps lists a neighbourhood name of Birchmount Park for the SW area within Scarborough Junction. Proximity to the Bluffs and Birchcliff was another thing I liked about the area, especially Birchcliff Coffee which brought some life to a strip of commercial buildings I've always loved and thought had so much potential.

They've since moved to the east end of the row into a building that's allowed for a significant patio space. Bookending the west side of this strip is a beautiful commercial building whose history I can't find much about, but it's definitely a standout in the area. The decorative stone near the top that appears to be the Rod of Asclepius might be a hint.

 

[adma]

Bookending the west side of this strip is a beautiful commercial building whose history I can't find much about, but it's definitely a standout in the area. The decorative stone near the top that appears to be the Rod of Asclepius might be a hint.

It was a bank (CIBC?)--and I *think* it remained so into this century.

 

[marcus_a_j]

Yes, CIBC until about 15 years ago or so.

 

[egotrippin]

Thanks Marcus and Adma. Indeed it was a CIBC, a little more searching and I found some historical pictures here (8th row): http://scarboroughhistorical.ca/local-history/communities/birch-cliff/. Interestingly it's referred to as the Scarborough Council Chambers in those pictures, so it seems to have served dual roles when Scarborough moved their council meeting location to Birch Cliff in 1922.

 

[70Challenger]

I always like to take a good look at this library on College and Spadina whenever I pass by. Great piece of Postmodern architecture.

 

[DSC]

I always like to take a good look at this library on College and Spadina whenever I pass by. Great piece of Postmodern architecture.
View attachment 348672

Great first post/photo - welcome!

 

[egotrippin]

Another modern Scarborough church that I'm particularly fond of, the Wexford Presbyterian Church on Lawrence Ave. E.

Photo credit: Vik Pahwa

 

[44 North]

10 and 20 Avoca. Emporis says 1971. Unbelievably crisp. Hard modernist lines, square floorplate, large overhang balconies, and a reddish metallic trapezoidal hat to hide rooftop messiness (and complete the perfection).

 

[marcus_a_j]

A favourite of many on UT. My aunt used to own a unit in one of the buildings but sold it many, many years ago before I had any sort of appreciation for modernist architecture.

 

[ADRM]

 

[AlbertC]

First time seeing this in such detail. The West Ellesmere United Church, near Ellesmere & Pharmacy in Scarborough, which was designed by Zeidler and completed in 1958.

Although, according to this article the building is currently being placed for sale, and is reportedly also listed as a redevelopment opportunity.

Entire church and school is on sale in Toronto for $7 million

West Ellesmere United Church was completed in 1958, designed by architectural firm Craig and Zeidler who are also behind many other famous Ontario ...

www.blogto.com

Check out this listing

37 MARCHINGTON CIRC, Toronto, Ontario M1R3M6

www.realtor.ca

 

[AlbertC]

The Globe with an article on modernist religious architecture, including mentions about Wexford Presbyterian, Parkwoods United, and West Ellesmere United:

Houses of faith for the Space Age

Photographer Amanda Large documents Ontario’s endangered modernist religious architecture

www.theglobeandmail.com

 

[70Challenger]

Love the gentle curve on the Frost Building South . It will look great next to the pyramidal Schwartz Reisman Center.

 

[egotrippin]

Great call, an absolutely sublime building; I wish we had more early modern buildings in Toronto. Hopefully it isn't turned into the base of some condo tower in the future.

 

[junctionist]

Love the gentle curve on the Frost Building South . It will look great next to the pyramidal Schwartz Reisman Center.
View attachment 366584

The balconies on the south side are an unexpected but appreciated touch. I wonder if they're ever used or just permanently closed to save on maintenance or for "safety reasons".