The Workplace

This is a shot of the open office from the Stantec Architects offices that I showed yesterday. An intriguing feature of the space is that they installed a floating floor 18" above the original floor and have run all the heating and cooling ducts, voice lines, and data systems under the floor in order to leave the original Douglas Fir ceiling unencumbered by ductwork etc. You can see the space under the floor visible in the centre of the pic - they have installed glass panels on its edges so as to be able to see under. The office also has a bicycle garage and shower facilities for the workforce. It is a very 'green' space!

Doors Open Toronto

This past weekend was Doors Open in Toronto and 150 buildings were open for tours. Due to other commitments I only had time for one tour but it was a winner. The offices of Stantec architects are located in a historically designated warehouse which had been the McGregor Sock factory since its construction in 1905. The timber post and beam building has been lovingly restored and transformed into a fabulous open concept office for 200 employees. This shot from the lobby area shows the folded steel staircase with a veil of 400 year old pine slats that were salvaged from an old wharf on the waterfront. I love these old factories!

65 Mini

I was walking down the street and spotted this cool little '65 mini station wagon parked at a local garage. A woody - I thought I should get out a surf board and head to the beach!

I have changed my comments page to a pop-up since there doesn't seem to be as many problems with that form. We will see.

Ravine City

I am sure that 95% of my pics have been taken west of Yonge St (our main street) but this week I was east of Yonge in the Riverdale area of downtown and caught this hazy view of the financial core with part of the Don Valley ravine in the forefront. Toronto is intersected by a network of deep ravines that form a large urban forest running through the downtown and suburbs and are a defining feature of the city. Most of the ravines are undeveloped but many have trails going through them and some have recreational facilities such as this one. This sky shows the weather we have been having lately!

I hope that Blogger is working on the follower and comment problems!

ROM Reflections

I was wandering by the Royal Ontario Museum's (ROM) Crystal addition by Libeskind and caught this reflection of the part of the building behind me showing in the sign and also the building across the road showing in the windows. The guy leaning on the shot made it for me!

Taking part in Weekend Reflections - for more reflections click here.

Grossman's Tavern

There are 2 legendary bars on Spadina Ave, yesterday's El Mocambo and Grossman's which is just down the street from the El Mo. Open since 1943, Grossman's bills itself as "Toronto's Home of the Blues" and is famous for its live music 7 days a week. A down and dirty bar of the old style it has atmosphere in spades! This mural is on its side wall along where the patio will be if it ever stops raining here!

The El Mocambo

Located on Spadina Ave near the U of Toronto, the "El Mo" opened as a music venue in 1850 and has been an entertainment centre and bar since. With stages on the 1st & 2nd floors it has hosted many major acts such as U2, Elvis Costello, and Jimi Hendrix but its most famous claim to fame was the weekend of March 4,5 1977 when the Rolling Stones booked themselves in as "The Cockroaches" and played their 1st club date in 14 years. These surprise sessions were recorded and were released on the "Love You Live" album. I still remember where I was that weekend and unfortunately it wasn't there!

This sign was erected in 1948 and the El Mo is still going strong.

Taking part in Signs, Signs - for more signs click here.