The Toronto Underground Loo

[299 bloor call control.]

It's strange that Toronto used to have a lot of public washrooms. The three underground ones, at Queen and Spadina, Queen and Parliament, and Queen and Broadview were subsequently filled in. I wonder if that means they are actually still there. Reading the "Corktown News" on the matter (link), it states that the business owner at the Queen and Parliament lavatory ended up suing the city (going all the way to the Supreme Court) for diminishing his property value by building the loo. This may be why the city stopped building them, while most other "world" cities continue to maintain public facilities.

Found these on the archives:
Queen and Spadina Underground Loo

Queen and Parliament Underground Loo

Danforth Avenue Loo

Yonge and Cottingham Loo

 

[whatever]

I always wondered what that building on the Danforth was. Now I know.

So does anyone know if the underground ones still exist? I know a few above ground ones that are still standing (Leslie/Queen, and Grange Park come to mind), but are there many others? I'm surprised the city doesn't do something with these things. They could be retrofit to serve as community spaces (almost like satellite community centres) or homeless shelters, or even coffee shops, given some of the locations.

 

[Urban Shocker]

The one at Broadview and Danforth was quite presentable, as these things go. Urinals were along the north wall with a few little windows above them, and throne rooms were at the south side, if I remember correctly. And there was a Guardian on duty. Always kept spotlessly clean.

There's an underground loo beneath Dundas Square that is nicely designed for the 21st century gentleman.

 

[299 bloor call control.]

Here's another at Toronto and Adelaide...

Allen Gardens

 

[Tuscani01]

Those underground ones look creepy as hell. I wonder how they were 'filled in' and if we would ever be able to excavate them.

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

Those underground ones look creepy as hell. I wonder how they were 'filled in' and if we would ever be able to excavate them.

hopefully not the way i'm thinking they might have been.

 

[RedRocket191]

hopefully not the way i'm thinking they might have been.

EWWWWWWWWWW

 

[Admiral Beez]

You couldn't have these underground loos today, as they'd be filled with homeless folks. Of course, we had vagrants and hobos, etc. back in the early 1900s when these photos were taken, but back then, the Police and City had the means and the will to stop such activity.

Can you imagine OCAP organizing a take over of underground Loos in the 1920s. Jeez....they'd be sent to a prison colony in Tazmania

 

[Monarch Butterfly]

The loo at the Bloor and Yonge subway station is technically underground. Just need a token or transfer for admission.
Too bad that new LRV would not have loos on them like the long distance intercity buses.

 

[adma]

Now, *there'd* be an innovation. Public transit with Scenicruiser-style terlets in the back. Don't wanna think what that means for hygeine, or lowlifes, etc...

 

[Urban Shocker]

Let's not forget 110 Yonge.

On the other hand - let's.