A walk down Brock Ave, well sort of. I don’t think I’m capable of walking in a straight line.
Brock Avenue, just north of Bloor, the Haven Espresso Bar, a tiny little place with good coffee. I don’t usually start my walk with a cup of coffee but I was intrigued by the smallness of the space.
below: This is the mural on the wall beside the coffee bar. It’s just the word Haven but there are some interesting details in the letters.
below: The local park is called Susan Tibaldi Parkette, named for a woman who was active in the community. This cheerful toucan overlooks the park.
There are a few painted walls and garages in the area around the park.
below: Including this spud bomb covered garage door.
below: On a wall, ‘Building with the Gods, James Massey R.I.P’
below: I spotted this on a pole just before I headed south. A little bit of sparkle to brighten the day.
The area south of Bloor was once the village of Brockton. Back in 1812, one hundred acres of land from what is now Queen Street, north to Bloor Street, and west of Dufferin Avenue was granted to James Brock (yes, a relative of Sir Isaac). After James died, his widow Lucy had a road built that run down the center of the property. This road was Brock Avenue. She subdivided the property and sold the lots to smaller land holders. This settlement became Brockton. In 1884 it was annexed by the city of Toronto.
below: Colourful cat and mouse games on a wall just south of Dundas. I couldn’t find any ‘signature’ on the wall and I haven’t been able to find out who painted this. I’d love to know.
below: Malabar Ltd. It looks unkempt and I thought it was abandoned. The gate to the parking lot was open and there were a couple of cars parked behind the wall. A quick search online and I discovered that this site is still operational, but only serves the professional opera and theaters industry.
After passing under one of the greyest, dingiest railway bridges, I came to a street – not sure what it was!
I checked a map – it’s Cunningham Ave.
.
But it afforded me an unobstructed view.
I looked around a bit but there wasn’t much of interest on my side of the tracks and I wasn’t about to cross over! I did notice that there is graffiti on the track side of the wall around the Malabar parking lot. Something to explore another time… when I don’t have to dodge trains!
As the leaves fall off the trees, the houses are hidden less. I like looking for older and/or unique architectural details that are now easier to spot (and take pictures of!)
below: The first time I saw one of these “half houses” I was quite surprised (it’s behind the large tree). I now realize that there are a number of them in the city but it was still a fun find.
below: Brick and wood trim details being preserved and restored on an old house.
below: There are a number of old square houses in the neighbourhood.
below: A house with an old second storey wooden structure. I don’t think it can be called an oriel window but I don’t know any other architectural term to describe it.
below: Although it’s not as easy to see in this picture, this house also has an old window and wood structure. The fence around the neighbour’s yard is probably not as old as the porch, but it to is from a bygone era. Is it from the 1960’s? I suspect that they were very trendy at one time although I have seen this sort of design more as balcony railings than as fences.
below: Symmetrical but not symmetrical
below: The back of Bike Pirates, a DIY bike workshop on Queen West, has a mural by Jonny Cakes.
below: Someone’s got a leg up!
Up over a door that is…. this door in fact.
below: And there were a few other little amusements along the way.
as I walk Toronto 