For today’s post, let’s take a little trip to the east end of the city.
The R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant is an absolute masterpiece of Art Deco, located on the shore of Lake Ontario at 2701 Queen Street East in Toronto. The plant was designed in 1929 and built from 1932 to 1937. It opened in 1941 and was later expanded from 1955 to 1958. The plant is named after Roland Caldwell Harris, who was the Commissioner of Works from 1912 until his death in 1945.
The R.C. Harris Filtration Plant 2701 Queen Street East, Toronto
The structure looks like a museum, but is actually a water treatment plant. Surprisingly, the inside of the building is similarly elegant, with cavernous halls and marble passages, all full of filtration equipment. This opulence has earned the building the nickname “Palace of Purification.”
There are three buildings comprising the plant: the Filter Building, the Service Building and the Pumping Station. Together they represent the largest example of Art Deco in the entire city. The use of marble, bronze and carved limestone is prevalent throughout and typical of the Art Deco architectural style.
Signal Pylon in Rotunda, Filter Building The signal pylon indicates time and filter backwash conditions
Signal Pylon in Rotunda, Filter Building The signal pylon indicates time and filter backwash conditionsFilter Operating Galleries, Filter Building Each gallery is over 110m long and provides access to 20 filtersControls in Filter Operating Galleries, Filter BuildingFountain Outside Filter BuildingFilter Building
The Service Building
The Pumping Station
Pumping StationHigh-Lift Room, Pumping StationHigh-Lift Room, Pumping Station This signal panel indicates which pumps are operatingPumping Station & Filter Building
The water treatment plant is the largest one in Toronto. It produces 30% of Toronto’s drinking water and can potentially produce 950 million litres daily.
The R. C. Harris Water Treatment Plant has been used in dozens of films and television series as a prison, clinic or headquarters.
Lake Ontario Beside The PlantThe R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant 2701 Queen Street East, Toronto
It was a crisp fall day when I started my Avenue Road photowalk at Bloor Street West. I made my way up Avenue Road, reached Dupont Street, then returned south until I hit University Avenue and Dundas Street West. Here’s a little of what I encountered along the way.
The Prince Arthur Condo 38 Avenue RoadThe Prince Arthur Condo, 38 Avenue Road I’ve always loved this entryway – so elegant, dramaticNew Condo Construction: 183 Avenue Road Construction on the northeast corner of Avenue Road and Pears Avenue in Yorkville. This is a proposed 10-storey mixed-use condominium building designed by BBB Architects for K P Isberg.Hazelton Lanes Residences 55A Avenue RoadGalerie de Bellefeuille 87 Avenue RoadFuture Site of “The Webley” 121 Avenue RoadBike Memorial For Adam Excell On the corner of Avenue Road and Davenport Road. Adam Excell was riding his bike on Avenue Road, near Davenport Road on June 13, 2015, when he was struck and killed by a car that did not remain at the scene.David Drebin Mural On the northwest corner of Avenue Road and Davenport Road. David Drebin is a Toronto-born professional photographer.David Drebin Mural & “Super Convenience” Northwest corner of Davenport Road and Avenue RoadThe Hare Krishna Temple The Hare Krishna Temple is located at 243 Avenue Road. The building is the former home of Avenue Road Church. It was built in 1899 and was originally the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant. The building was designed by Toronto architects Gordon & Helliwell.The Church of the Messiah 240 Avenue Road. This Anglican church was founded on March 24, 1891 by members of the Church of the Redeemer further south on Avenue Road. The building, and the rectory next door, were designed by Gordon & Helliwell, the same architects who designed what is now the Hare Krishna Temple across the street.Fall Leaves Somewhere on Avenue RoadMural Outside Havana Coffee Bar 233 Davenport Road, southwest corner of Davenport Road and Avenue RoadFlower Markets Avenue Road, south of DavenportGiant Ring Outside Louro & Sons Jewellers, 104 Avenue Road“Mixer” These cast bronze figures are entitled “Mixer” by sculptor An Te Liu, a Taiwanese-Canadian artist living and working in Toronto. “Mixer” envisions its installation as a stage inhabited by a pair of cast bronze figures engaged in dialogue with passersby, hotel visitors, and each other. Bold and distinctive in silhouette and richly finished in a lustrous deep gold patina, the sculptural ensemble forms a vivid and iconic tableau establishing the Park Hyatt as a singular destination. As a public artwork, “Mixer” is monumental in scale – visible from afar and instantly recognizable. Open and intimate, the work invites visitors to experience the artwork fully and in the round. People become a critical part of the scenography, which unfolds within the architectural proscenium and extends out into the city.
“Mixer” finds shape and expression in the rich history of Park Hyatt Toronto, merging classical figurative allusions with industrial, artisanal, and organic forms culled from glassware, vessels, and couture. The forms also stem from a reinterpretation of the artistic legacy of Henry Moore, a seminal figure in the history of the modern era in Toronto. “Mixer” captures the allure of social encounters and celebrates imbibing in all the senses. They form a continuity between the illustrious past of Park Hyatt Toronto and its present renaissance as an exemplar of elegance and luxury. An Te Liu’s inspiration for this work comes more specifically from an archival photograph of the Park Hyatt Rooftop Lounge, commonly known as “The Rooftop bar at Park Plaza,” years ago. An Te Liu would visit during his years as a student at the University of Toronto – understanding its’ social significance as a landmark in the city. Park Hyatt Toronto invites visitors to experience the artwork in the round, as this ensemble of works seems like an encounter or conversation. The hotel program inspired this meaningful concept as a place of social convergence, where friends and strangers crossLillian Massey Building Building used by University of Toronto, 125 Queen’s Park“Freedom Fighters” Queen’s Park“Freedom Fighters” Queen’s ParkFall Leaves Queen’s ParkAl Purdy Statue, Queens’ Park Al Purdy was a 20th-century Canadian free verse poet. Purdy’s writing career spanned 56 years. His works include 39 books of poetry; a novel; two volumes of memoirs and four books of correspondence, in addition to his posthumous works. He has been called the nation’s “unofficial poet laureate” and “a national poet in a way that you only find occasionally in the life of a culture.”Iranian Demonstration There was an Iranian demonstration happening that day at Queen’s Park, and this guy was ripping up and down Queen’s Park and University Avenue with his balloons and flagU of T’s Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre 112 College Street, at University Avenue“Happy Lunar New Year” Canada Post box at University Avenue and Dundas Street WestThe United Building 481 University Avenue. On the corner of University Avenue and Edward Street. Converting into luxury condos.The United Building 481 University Avenue. On the corner of University Avenue and Edward Street. Converting into luxury condos.
The Church of the Redeemer, at 162 Bloor Street West, sits at the very busy intersection of Bloor Street West and Avenue Road. This Anglican Church was founded in 1871 and opened its doors at this site on June 15, 1879. At that time the area was still on the fringe of the city (hard to imagine now…). The Church’s architectural style is Gothic Revival.
The Church of the Redeemer is known for its progressive stance on social issues, especially gay rights. In 1998, the congregation published An Honourable Estate: Same Sex Unions and the Church, advocating the blessing of same-sex unions. The parish uses exclusively the Book of Alternative Services.
From time to time the church also hosts a range of musical events and concerts. I remember seeing singer-songwriter Gary Jules here several years ago and thinking what a cool venue it was for a concert.
I love the stately and dignified architecture of this building. The condos/offices behind the Church wrap around the building, hugging it; a great contrast of old and new.
“The walls were covered with rubble stone from the Credit Valley, near Georgetown. The term rubble stone means that the stones were the rubble that remained after stones were cut in the quarry. They were irregular in shape and their sizes varied. However, though rough in texture and inexpensive, they created a pleasing effect when assembled on the church walls. Ohio sandstone was imported for the stone ornamentation and the trim around the windows of the church. The interior walls were of white and red bricks, enhanced by including geometric patterns. The support columns in the interior were constructed of polished granite from the Bay of Fundy area.”1
The Church underwent major renovations in the 1980s. At that time the parish hall on the north side of the Church was sold; because of this the Church lacked sufficient space for offices and meetings. The problem was solved by raising a section of the floor of the Church to expand the basement level. Pews were removed from the raised section at the rear of the nave and replaced with chairs, as you see here:
Sculptor Shayne Dark, a Kingston native, has three sculptures which dot Toronto’s downtown condo landscape.
I. Double Vision
Double Vision is located on the northwest corner of Jarvis and Charles streets in front of X Condominium at 558 Jarvis Street. The huge red poles jutting out of the sidewalk bring to mind bamboo shoots.
II. Double Take
Just across the street, at 101 Charles Street East in front of The X’s younger sister building X2, sits Double Take. It is characterized by the same monumental poles, but this time they are slightly slanted toward Double Vision as if the two pieces are communicating. You have to be careful when you come out of Rabba at this site, as you could potentially brain yourself or take one of these in the eye… not the best way to appreciate the artwork.
It’s an interesting project because there’s a dialogue between the two pieces across the road from one another. You’ve got the red vertical sticks, then you’ve got the blue horizontal ones and it sets up a dynamic and creates a threshold. They are engaging both in their own right and also with one another. They engage in an interesting artistic and architectural discussion,
Brad Golden, a Toronto public art consultant whose job it is to partner with developers and organizations to help them figure out what kind of art would work for their space.
III. Nova
Shayne Dark’s third condo-based sculpture, Nova, is located at the Tableau Condominium at 125 Peter Street. The piece is completely incorporated into the structure of the building.
“Nova” photo by UrbanToronto
Shayne Dark’s Inspiration For The Pieces
Initially, we’d walk in the forest or along the lakeshore and I’d find these interesting found objects, like a big pile of sticks and pieces of driftwood, and these became my art practice. I think for any artist, where you live is so important. Being Canadian at this point in history, on this day, in this time is an experience and feeling I want to document. I feel where you’re from can not help but influence every artist’s practice to some degree.
The “One Percent Solution”
“Under Section 37 of Ontario’s Planning Act, developers are allowed to have taller buildings or more units and other such concessions in exchange for putting a minimum of one per cent of the project’s construction costs toward public art. The art can either be on-site, on city property nearby, or a combination of both. The guidelines set out by the program ensure that the art is of public benefit and is also visible, accessible and adds to the urban character of the city in a positive way.
Financial investment is a huge factor for anyone who makes their living as a sculptor. Shayne Dark, the artist, says it costs literally tens of thousands of dollars to manufacture the materials necessary to make those big public art projects you might see as part of a condominium development.
‘Those jobs in Canada are few and far between. But luckily, what ended up happening in a few major Canadian cities was this one percent rule where if you were a developer working on a public building, a portion of the construction costs would actually go to art,’ says Shayne Dark”.1
While running errands last weekend, I passed through the construction hoarding of the massive conversion/construction project in which the historic St. Charles Tavern building, on Yonge Street above College, is being integrated into a new highrise residence. On the hoarding were historic pictures of the Tavern’s events from years past, accompanied by relevant text. I was suddenly struck by the thought, Hey, this would make for a great blog post… so that’s what I did. Being that it’s currently Halloween also injected a shot of inspiration.
Early Days
Ah, the St. Charles building and clock tower… what a history.
The clock tower, located at 488 Yonge Street above College Street, was built in 1870, and was Toronto Fire Hall No. 3 for many years. I read somewhere that the tower was purpose-built so that the fire department could store the fire hoses in the height of the tower.
Starting in the 1920s the tower/building was turned into retail spaces. Apparently there was everything from bicycle shops and car dealerships to an art gallery, which was damaged by fire during the Second World War. With its new identity as a restaurant/club/lounge, the St. Charles Tavern opened in 1951, serving Chinese-Canadian fare. The old Fire Hall’s surviving brass rail and tower were a central component of its marketing campaign: “Meet me under the clock!”.
The St. Charles’ gay roots start to show… “Call Me Miss-ter”, indeed.
Gay History Begins
By the early 1960s, the St. Charles Tavern became known as a gay bar – and this is where the real interesting history starts! Any Torontonian knowing even a small bit of our city’s gay history has heard about the infamous St. Charles Tavern and what used to transpire there.
For many years the St. Charles Tavern was the starting point for the drag queen promenade. The Halloween drag shows that happened there during the 1960s and 1970s are stuff of legend. Unfortunately, so much violence accompanied it.
At that point in history it was illegal to wear clothes of the opposite sex in public; potential harassment and arrest would frequently follow. The only day of the year that opposite-sex clothing was permitted to be worn in public was Halloween, hence the massive crowds at the St. Charles Tavern on that special night of the year.
But, oh the violence of the time…
The gay-haters lined up by the hundreds (and later, the thousands) to jeer and heckle the drag queens (some deposited from limousines) as they arrived at the St. Charles. Rotten eggs, hatred, taunts and threats of physical violence flew in abundance.
A Toronto Star article from November 1, 1971 reported that an estimated 5,000 to 8,000 onlookers, many of them hostile, had turned out Halloween night to participate in the spectacle that year. Police blocked off the street, and “only admitted and obvious homosexuals were allowed through police lines.”
“Hey, eggs don’t hurt as much as bricks do”
Local police officer
In 1977, Toronto mayor David Crombie ordered police to intervene and provide protection to the gay community accessing the tavern on Halloween. That year, the crowd was estimated at 8,000 strong. As the crowd threw eggs, one police officer remarked to a reporter, “Hey, eggs don’t hurt as much as bricks do”. Local businesses participated in keeping the gay community safe. The Westbury Hotel, across the street from the St. Charles, closed 120 rooms facing Yonge Street to prevent attacks from above.
“On October 31, 1979, despite promises to control and disperse the crowd, police failed to prevent a violent, homophobic mob from gathering on Halloween evening on Yonge Street in front of the St. Charles Tavern. Almost 2,000 people gathered on the street, throwing eggs and chanting “Kill the queers.” The Yonge Street entrance to the bar was actually closed; patrons entered by the back alley door, which was heavily guarded by police. At least 103 people in the mob were arrested, most of whom were charged with breach of the peace. A volunteer gay defence patrol, Operation Jack O’Lantern, spent the evening escorting gays and lesbians through the neighbourhood, and became involved in at least one altercation.”1
Photos From Back In The Day
As a gay man living happily in the 2020s enjoying the current full rights and privileges I take for granted in our Canadian society, the photos below enrage and disgust me. WHY was this allowed to happen?!! HOW could this happen?!! It’s utterly mind-blowing to me. Had this been any other marginalized racial or religious group, you know damn well this blatant hatred and hostility would never have been allowed to occur. “Kill the queers!!” seemed to be the mantra of the time. Shameful… utterly shameful.
OK, rant finished now… on to the photos.
The haters and gawkers wait for more drag queens to arrive. At least there’s police presence.
Crowds gather outside the St. Charles to jeer and taunt the arriving patrons
And yes, this was the intellectual level of the haters and bashers who cruised Yonge Street. yelling “Kill the queers!!”
A brave drag queen fights back after being pelted head to toe with eggs
Nice welcoming Committee
At least she’s getting police protection!
The haters wait for the drag queens to arrive
One against many
Halloween at the St. Charles Tavern: A Video
Moving On…
In the 1970s, the St. Charles became outdated. The tower was designated a heritage property in 1974, however, and given a restoration treatment in the mid-1990s.
The St. Charles would gradually evolve into less of a draw for the gay community. Compared to the friendlier, gay-owned establishments popping up a few blocks over (i.e. Church & Wellesley), the bar became notorious for petty crimes, drug deals and the sex trade. The Tavern’s notoriety hit its peak after the disappearance and murders of a few patrons — brutal attacks that remain unsolved and from which the bar never fully recovered. It closed in 1987.
The final decades of the St. Charles were unceremonious. Various retail shops filled the ground floor, with dance clubs like Empire and Circus occupying the upper level until the late ’90s. The space would eventually be converted to rental apartments, but the building was emptied in late 2018 when demolition began in earnest for the new highrise that was to come.
Fast Forward…
The St. Charles is now being integrated into a building called Immix, which will be a luxury apartment (rentals) complex.
I took these shots on June 23, 2018. The entirety of the 19th-century Fire Hall tower that once stretched above the St. Charles Tavern will be incorporated into the new structure.
A Few Years Later…
I took these shots on October 14, 2022. The tower looks like it’s being consumed by the high-rise behind it. Completion can’t be far away. I do like the nod to its gay past, though, with the rainbow spire at the top of the clock tower.
What a building, what a history…
References:
Historic photos courtesy of The Arquives (Canada’s LGBTQ2+ Archives) Parts of historic text courtesy of The Toronto Star 1LGLC (Lesbian and Gay Liberation in Canada) website
Shortstack Records & FlowerPot Cannabis Store 1006 Dundas Street West, northeast corner of Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenue. This is a combination record store and cannabis shop. Unsurprisingly, they were playing “Eight Miles High” by the Byrds as I took this shot.Utility Box Southeast corner of Montrose Avenue and Dundas Street WestVintage Truck In back alley of houses on Dundas Street West, near Trinity Bellwoods ParkWet Day Yonge Street & Dundas Street WestHere’s Looking At You… Utility box at the corner of St. Patrick Street and Dundas Street West
Meanwhile, Over on Queen Street West…
Queen Street West Mural Queen West Animal Hospital. Southeast corner of Strachan Avenue and Queen Street West.Queen Street West Mural Queen West Animal Hospital. Southeast corner of Strachan Avenue and Queen Steet West.Queen Street West Mural Queen West Animal Hospital. Southeast corner of Strachan Avenue and Queen Steet West.Utility Box Southeast corner of Strachan Avenue and Queen Steet WestInteresting Condo Just off Queen Street WestVirgin Radio Queen Street West & John Street (and no, that’s not a real person up there)A Little Sidewalk Artistry Queen Street WestFalun Gong Practitioners Queen Street West outside Osgoode Hall
For some time I had heard the buzz about the Aga Khan Museum in Don Mills at 77 Wynford Drive, and decided to check it out one sunny afternoon. For those not familiar with it, the Aga Khan is a Toronto museum of Islamic and Iranian art and Muslim culture.
The minimalist-style formal gardens and surrounding park are quite calming and serene:
The Aga Khan Museum was opened to the public on September 18, 2014 and houses approximately 1,200 rare objects assembled by His Highness the Aga Khan and Prince Sadruddin Aga Khan.
According to the blurb on Wikipedia, the Aga Khan Museum was recognized as one of the best museums in Toronto by Condé Nast Traveler in 2018.
Curves…… and lots of sharp angles
The Interior Courtyard
The interior courtyard of the museum is surrounded by glass walls imprinted with patterns resembling traditional Islamic Jali (lattice) screens:
“In a personal letter to architect Fumihiko Maki, His Highness the Aga Khan suggested the Museum be designed around the concept of light. Light, His Highness noted, has been an enduring inspiration for the world’s religions and civilizations since earliest times. Maki responded with a design that invites direct and diffuse light into the building in ingenious ways. The building is positioned 45 degrees to solar north to ensure that all exterior surfaces receive natural light over the course of the day. Angular walls of white Brazilian granite, a material chosen for its resilience and luminosity, enhance the play of light across building surfaces.” – AKDN Website
The Ismaili Centre
The second building on the site, The Ismaili Centre, is a religious, social and spiritual building for the Ismaili Community. Designed by architect Charles Correa, the building is oriented toward Mecca.
Crashing A Wedding Photo Shoot
During my visit I also happened upon a wedding photography session that was going on…
On The Way Out…
Leaving the grounds I noticed this unusual piece. Unveiled in 2016, the bronze piece is called “Horizontal Lovers” by Iranian artist Parviz Tanavoli.
The head office for Toronto Hydro is located at 14 Carlton Street in downtown Toronto. This wonderful Art Deco building was designed by architects Chapman and Oxley, and completed in 1931. The building is constructed of steel and concrete and faced with Queenston limestone.
Behind the building, in the area bounded by Wood Street and Reverend Porter Lane, there is a parking lot for the Toronto Hydro staff. This is no ordinary parking lot – it has a very unique feature: a black stainless steel fence surrounds the lot and commemorates Toronto Hydro’s history with vignettes from the past 100 years. Featuring stylized photography and plaques, the fence was installed in 2016 and highlights important projects for Toronto such as the completion of the CN Tower and the installation of the urban wind turbine on the Exhibition grounds. As far as I could see during my visit, the fence’s timeline begins in 1910 and ends in 2015. Sometimes when I pass by here I’ll stop to read the interesting historical vignettes on the fence. It’s a great addition to the neighbourhood.
I came upon this by accident with a friend when it was under construction. At the time we said we…