Local Doors Open Locations Sat and Sun May 26 and 27 2012

 

Toronto's out-of-bounds attractions [Toronto Star article]

The star has a article about closed public spaces in the city, it presents a view fully endorsed by this blog.

Despite the triumph of Doors Open, there are important spaces that are off limits in Toronto – architecture created for the public that is, unfathomably, locked up tight.

from the article...

The Sunnyside Bathing Pavilion says as much about the Toronto of today as of yesterday.

Built in the early 1920s, this once-marvellous lakeshore structure speaks of a time when swimming in public still entailed some modesty, not to mention formality. With its fortress-like walls and neo-classical architecture, it evokes a sense of grandeur; swimming here was not simply fun, it was ennobling.

Keep in mind that this was the place where men and women went to change into their bathing costumes, not where they went to swim. It was also a place to enjoy the scenery, read a newspaper and meet friends.

Today, it is a shadow of its former self. Semi-renovated, half-closed, it remains clearly popular. But there's a tackiness to the pavilion now that belies its builders' intentions. On a sunny evening, the café is full of Torontonians enjoying hotdogs and beer. Beach volleyballers fill the space between the building and Lake Ontario.

Look a little more closely, however, and the pavilion reveals itself as a warren of locked doors, chained gates, closed stairwells and unused spaces. Worst of all, what might be the most attractive feature of the complex, the raised balcony level that wraps around the complex, is closed. link to full article

Doors Open in the junction: Toronto Public Library Annette Branch

Toronto Public Library: Annette Branch 145 Annette Street , Toronto, ON M6P 1P3 Telephone: 416-393-7692 District: South (former City of Toronto and East York) Architect and year: Ellis & Connery, 1909 Subsequent architect(s)/ consultant(s): Sillaste & Nakashima Architects Open: Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm Last admittance to building: 4:45 pm Sunday: Not open

Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2009, Annette Street Branch was designed with features of Edwardian Classicism by Ellis & Connery; James A. Ellis (1856-1935) was the Junction’s most versatile and prolific architect. The library was constructed with a Carnegie grant to the City of West Toronto but opened on 1 September 1909 as the Western Branch of the Toronto Public Library. The heritage building features an elaborate plaster ceiling with a skylight in the foyer, uncovered during a 1979-80 renovation by Sillaste & Nakashima Architects.

Event information:

Sat. 2 - 3:15pm Judi Coburn reads from "The Shacklands" (YA) - having recently settled in the Junction area of West Toronto, young Jessie Robertson dreams of becoming a teacher, but she must take a factory job. Sat. on the hour, 10 a.m. to 4:00 pm, historical characters from the Junction's storied past will be brought back to life by members of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society. 10 a.m. to noon, Barbara Myrvold of Toronto Library will answer questions and share information about the history of this Carnegie library. "April Showers Bring May Flowers" storytime and craft program for children at 2:30 pm

Photography permitted: Filming permitted: Interior Yes tripod: Interior tripod: Exterior Yes tripod: Exterior tripod:

Getting there: Click here for map.

TTC (nearest station) Keele Station Bus/streetcar: Annette Bus

Visit their web site: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/hou_az_an.jsp

Accessibility: Full  Washrooms: Yes  Parking: Paid  Food: No  Highlights: Kid-friendly  New this year