Old Carving

This wonderful carving is found on our old city hall which is right beside our new city hall. The old city hall was used by the city council from 1899 to 1966 and is now used for various government things such as some courtrooms. I love the details in this carving.

There Had Been Snow

We have had little snow this winter so far and it has been warmer than usual. I took this shot just over a week ago showing one of the Dundas St entrances to Trinity Bellwoods Park. It is a large park right downtown and runs from Queen St W up to Dundas. It is well used all year but particularly in the summer when all the people who live in condos gather here. 

Happy Valentine's Day to everyone.

When We Could Gather

This pic was taken way back in 2015 when Toronto was hosting the Pan-Am Games and there were lots of activities going on all around the city. This is the sidewalk on Queen St W and a band was getting set up to play a free concert. It is hard to remember being able to be close to other people and to actually see an event taking place!

More People

I also considered this shot for my theme pic of City People showing the crowds crossing University Ave at Queen St W. I had shown you a pic of this building back in June with a view more from the back (HERE). As you can see this is normally a very busy part of town but not so much now with the virus afoot in the world.

Contrast

This is another pic from my archives from a day I was wandering around on University Ave. I headed down the back of these two buildings which actually face Queen St W at University and loved the contrast. The tall tower was designed by KPMB Architects and was built in 2006 and houses the Federal Court of Canada as well as a few other federal agencies. Its smaller brick neighbour is Campbell House which is a heritage house and museum built in 1822 and moved to this location in 1972.

Slam Dunk

This mural that was found along Queen St W was probably painted last year after our Toronto Raptors basketball team won the NBA championship. Kawhi Leonard was the star of the team and a real hero to fans. It looks as if some work has been done to the building which has blocked part of the mural but hopefully it will be restored when the weather improves in the summer.  
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

A Queen St W Mural

This week's mural is another one found high up on a building on Queen St W. It is impossible to see the whole thing from anywhere on the ground so I have no idea whether there is an artist signature. It does remind me of some of Birdo's creatures.  
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Hearts

I spotted these hearts on the side of a building up above Queen St W and thought they were perfect for this week's mural. I'm not sure about the artist's name but I do like the work.  
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Shoes On Queen St W

There always sees to be room for another shoe store along Queen St W and there are still a lot of sales going on as they get ready for the spring/summer styles to come in. These are actually small stores that are overlooked by tall condos behind them.  
Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Number 5

I was wandering along Queen St W when this streetcar passed by with advertising on each panel for Chanel No 5. My mum always wore that perfume so it brought back memories.   
Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

Skewed

Not all of the condos being built in Toronto are tall towers. I really like this mid-rise building just off Queen St W for its twisted levels and the stone used on the first few floors. It would be nice if there were more interesting buildings like this one.

Sale Time

It is that sale time of year and all of the stores along Queen St W are having clearance events. Time to get ready for spring clothes I guess!  
Taking part in Signs 2. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

It's Coming

This is the other side of Queen St W from yesterday's post and you can see the signs of modernity approaching the older buildings. Some of the old ones have disappeared completely such as where the H&M store is. Here's hoping that this doesn't happen to the whole street.

Victorian Gem on Queen W

This streetscape on Queen St W has been here since 1888 and is called the Noble Block after the widow Mrs Noble who had it built. All forms of decoration were used to make this a special place. The section to the left was built by another widow who changed the design from the original which was to match the rest. This is still a vibrant area of the city but high rents and property taxes are putting small independent businesses at risk.

White Squirrel

Yesterday I showed a wonderful house from the Trinity Bellwoods neighbourhood, an area that surrounds Trinity Bellwoods Park on the north side of Queen St W. The park is extremely popular and has ball diamonds, tennis courts, a dog off-leash area, etc but one its most famous attributes is the colony of white squirrels that live there. You can occasionally spot them in the area outside the park but the park is home base. I spotted this mural on the back of a bakery which is beside the park and while I was taking it a black squirrel ran by me with a pink macaron in its mouth - too fast to catch a pic!  
Taking part in Monday Murals. Click HERE to see more murals from around the world.

Early Sunday Morning Streetscape

This pic was taken On Queen St W early on a Sunday before the traffic got heavy and before any stores opened. This is such a nicely maintained block of commercial buildings each different although most are the same style.

Rooftop Dinosaur

I was walking along Queen St W in Parkdale and spotted part of this mural by Birdo painted high above the rooftops of antique stores in the area. I climbed up onto some stairs to get more of it into view but I think you need to be on the roof or in a high rise to see it all. Birdo's creatures are always so colourful and abstract. You can see more by clicking on the label below.  
Taking part in Monday's Murals. Click HERE to see more creatures from around the world.

Bike Shop

This bike shop on Queen St W in the Parkdale neighbourhood certainly knows how to get your attention. I love the old rusty bike they have hanging over the sidewalk. 
Taking part in Signs, Signs. Click HERE to see more signs from around the world.

New Hairdo?

If you are looking for a new style of hairdo this seems to be the place to go. And you can change colour every day! This was spotted on Queen St W in the Parkdale neighbourhood.

Urn At Osgoode Hall

This is one of the urns found at the entrance to the centre wing of Osgoode Hall which is the home of the Law Society of Ontario on Queen St Beside our City Hall. I love the background of the textured wall of the hall.