junctionist
Senior Member
This is a great idea for a thread. Queen West is as vibrant and interesting today as it ever was.
I ♥ Queen Street West!
I ♥ Queen Street West!
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Queen Street West: Then and Now
- Thread starter brewster
- Start date
brewster
Active Member
Thanks for that junctionist. I got together as many Queen west photos as I could and walked from Yonge to Roncesvalles. Every couple of blocks were different from the last and all had some interest in their own way. Just wish I had a few more photo's to work with.
Denizen314
New Member
As a resident of Queen West and a semi-retired shutterbug, I also want to throw in my thanks for this thread. 
Good work.
Good work.
brewster
Active Member
As a resident of Queen West and a semi-retired shutterbug, I also want to throw in my thanks for this thread.
Good work.
It was a nice day for a walk Cbab. Thanks for the encouragement. Tomorrow's adventure--The Danforth.
brewster
Active Member
queendufferin by Mr T.O., on Flickr
queendufferinnewsized by Mr T.O., on Flickr
queenspadina by Mr T.O., on Flickr
queenspadina1sized by Mr T.O., on Flickr
queenuniversity by Mr T.O., on Flickr
queenuniversitynewsized22 by Mr T.O., on Flickr
ceaz40
Active Member
I have to say...looking at all of the "before" pics....I'm pining for the lost older style neon signage on framework and the stylized font on (what I think is ...correct me if I'm wrong) bakelite background....I wish we still had more of that left. It is sad to think that the signage from 80 to 100 years ago had more "class" shall I say and was more interesting than the backlit plastic front crap I see everywhere today (soooo cheap!)
EVCco
Senior Member
Great pics! I never knew the Gladstone used to have a spire..
junctionist
Senior Member
A lot of heritage buildings in Toronto had spires and much more interesting rooflines when they were built. Sadly, these features (especially cornices and spires) have often been stripped by owners to save on maintenance. The result is a collection of architecture overall that may appear blander. Features like spires and decorative balustrades along roofs should be restored. The Gladstone's exterior architecture has been well restored, except for the tower. One would like it to be a starting point for Victorian tower restoration as well. Apparently, the Zeidler family wanted to do so, but the city was obstructionist on zoning grounds.
Mustapha
Senior Member
That corner suite under where the spire was has two floors, it's the only room like that in the Gladstone. A rather narrow set of stairs takes you up to second floor - a plainly but smartly decorated bedroom.
cmd uw
Active Member
Great pics. I wonder what the people would have said back then if there was a store that was selling 'pipes, bongs, vaporizers, etc'....haha.
bigdaddyhame
New Member
they'd probably think it was a plumber's supply or something to do with chemistry.
Blovertis
Active Member
Queen and Simcoe
Could the spot west of CIBC be the longest-surviving vacant lot in downtown Toronto? Has anything ever been built on it?
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brewster
Active Member
Gold mine for CityPark. Lots of tourist's and locals wonder up and down that part of town. I have parked there myself.
adma
Superstar
In the "before" photo, the party wall with the Coleman billboard suggests that there may have been an extended terrace here--perhaps demolished for the C(I)BC and its lot...
Tewder
Senior Member
Interesting to note the water tower. Are there any still around in the city?