More Construction Update

These houses are also found on the old Honest Ed's Site and are to be restored and reopened as small boutiques, etc, similar to what they were before this project began. This shot is of the rear of the building and since most of them have had the back wall removed it seems likely that they will be extended. The one on the left was for many years a very popular pub.

"We Are Out Of Here"

 These ducks look as if there has been a bit of a disagreement and some are leaving even if it means walking on some ice. The cold never seems to bother their feet. 

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Construction Update

 This is an update on the massive construction going on at he site of the old Honest Ed's location. There are several apartment towers being built at the same time and this is just one of them as it looked last week. There are some aspects of the old buildings being incorporated into the base so it will be interesting to see once the hoardings go down.

Another Gothic Revival Cottage

I showed you two Gothic Revival cottages on Tuesday that were unusual in that they were semi-attached. This one was just down the street from them and it shows you the more usual configuration. This one has lost the sweet gingerbread aspects they normally have but gives a good idea of the scale. It is attached to another house to the right making them like row houses.

Special Parking

This sign was posted in front of one of yesterday's homes so a bagpiper must live there or visit a lot.   

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Small Houses

Not all of the houses in the older parts of the city are large homes. One of my favourite styles is the Gothic Revival cottage that can be found sprinkled about in the old parts of town They were built in the 2nd half of the 1800s  and many of them survive. They are usually 1& 1/2 storeys and always have a centre gable. This one is unusual because it is divide in half so there are 2 semi detached homes. They each must be really small unless there are large additions out back.

Neighbourhood Diversity

This quite long mural was painted on the side of a store along the Danforth last fall as part of a project involving several murals and artists. The artist for this one is Elicser who has certainly captured the diverse population of this neighbourhood. This particular area is dominated by the really tall minaret similar to the one in the mural. It is a great area to go for a meal since there is a restaurant serving any type of food that you could want - when we aren't in lockdown and can go to restaurants.   

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

A Dapper Guy

As our warmer than normal weather continued last week I caught this rather dapper looking guy in a local park. It is not too often that you see someone smoking a pipe and combined with the fedora and the overcoat it gives him quite a look.

Nuthatch

I was just getting ready to get into my car when this White-Breasted Nuthatch landed in a small tree in front of me. I managed to get the camera out and take this shot before it bounced away to another tree.   

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Art Deco On Avenue Road

This wonderful Art Deco building is one of three neigbouring buildings built in 1931 and known as the Mayfair Mansions. All three have deco detailing even into their rear parking entrances. They all have heritage protection.

Another Annex Beauty

I've always like this house in the Annex neighbourhood, probably because of the round rooms on the corner and the big balcony on the middle floor. This one was originally a single family home when built but is now divided into a number of flats. I think they are likely nice places.

Bathurst Apartments

There is something friendly about these older apartment buildings that have multiple entrances opening off a central courtyard. I imagine that everyone must get to know the other people who use their entrance unlike those that live in high rises with hundreds using one entrance. This fine building is found on Bathurst St south of St Clair, a great location.  

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Orange

I was out for a walk when I spotted this old Beetle which was in great condition. I love the streamlined roof racks.

Red Bird

I spotted this great red bird on the side of a building when I was stuck in traffic a few weeks ago. I went back this week to catch a pic of it. The artist for this quite large bird is Fats Patrol who has done a lot of murals around the city.   

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the city.

Fresh Air

The weather has been a lot warmer than usual at times and we have not had a lot of snow so it is not unusual to see someone sitting out in a park like this man who was doing a bit of reading. It will be interesting to see what our February will be like.

Just Passing Through

 I was back at James Gardens to see the ducks and spotted this squirrel who had decided that he needed to go up a tree on the other side of a huge flock of ducks. As he attempted to sneak through, the ducks were not amused and were quacking away at him which really made him speed up!  

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Another Big House

This large home found near Casa Loma is not as old as yesterday's but is lovely in its own way. It has lots of interesting features including those wonderful balconies. Most of the year it is hidden by all of the leaves on its surrounding trees.

The Award Winner

 This is the house referred to in yesterday's sign from Heritage Toronto. I remember it when it was looking a bit rough and worn down so it is wonderful to see it so lovingly restored.

Giving Credit

 It is always nice to see these signs from Heritage Toronto which give you info about various things around the city. This is the first one I have seen which gives accolades to a house for its wonderful restoration and conservation. I will show you the award winner tomorrow.

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Hiding In Plain Sight

In all of my years walking around the Annex neighbourhood I had never spotted this house set way back from the street between two larger houses. When I first saw it there was a large SUV parked in front but last week the parking space was empty. It looks so cute tucked back there and it is attached to the house on the left so must have been built around the same time as it.

Midtown

This homage to the old Midtown theatre was found just off Bloor St W. The theatre has existed here since the 1940s but has had several name changes and is now the Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema showing documentary films and doing well until the pandemic hit. One wonders how many theatres will survive. The artist for this one is ACK but there are a few other names which I couldn't read.

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

A Quiet Spot On The Hospital Grounds

 This is a view of the park where the sculpture of the lady that I showed on Friday sits. It is a quiet area at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Something that is often needed.

Distancing At The Duck Pond

 This pond at James Gardens never freezes over totally because of a steady stream of water feeding it so the Mallards stay here all winter. They seem to be practicing a bit of social distancing this year.  

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Lady In The Park

 This is the sculpture visible in the background of yesterday's post. This rather elegant sculpture adds a bit of interest to the park and acts as a focal point for people looking for a quiet spot to sit for a bit.

The Guardian

 This fierce lion guards the entrance into a small park area at the Sunnybrook Health Science Centre. I will show you a closeup of that sculpture in the background tomorrow.

Early Birds

 I saw this vehicle in a parking garage and couldn't figure out what it was all about. It turns out that it is a company that supplies classic car restoration parts and advice for people with old muscle cars. 

Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Young Love

This young couple had just left a skating rink and were walking home with skates slung over their shoulders. They looked so sweet that I couldn't resist a pic!

Lovely Lady

I spotted this lovely lady a while ago on the side of a building where espresso machines are sold and serviced but there was always a truck parked in front of her. Finally this week I went by and she was visible. I think the artist is Luvs XYZ.    

Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Waterworks

 These stairs lead up to the top of the waterworks at St Clair & Spadina Rd. The whole area has recently undergone a long upgrade which also involved adding trees and native plants along the hillside. At the top of the stairs is a huge flat area that has tennis courts, gardens and a really long circular path for runners and walkers. The sign on the bottom building is quite worn but it says the structure was built in 1930.

A Busy Woodpecker

I spotted this Red-Bellied Woodpecker a week ago when out for a walk in a park and struggled to get a pic of him since he never stayed still for long. This pic was in deep shadow but showed him the best as he stayed still with some yummy bit of food in his mouth.   

Taking part in Saturday's Critters. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

January Theme: Photo Of Ther Year

 The January theme for the City Daily Photo Blog community is photo of the year which could be a favourite or what you feel is best. I like this catch of the squirrel eating the pumpkin so much that I couldn't pass up the chance to show it again.

Taking part in the January theme. Click HERE to see more Photos Of The Year.