below: 888 Dupont Street is at the northeast corner of Dupont and Ossington. The building was designed by Canadian architect William George Hunt and was built in 1921. The first owner was Thomas Oswald Aked whose company Aked & Co (or Aked Worsted) was in the yarn spinning business.
After World War I, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind established a broom, brush, and mop-making business to provide employment for servicemen who had lost their vision in combat. In 1952 this business, Blindcraft, moved into 888 Dupont.
below: The entrance to 888 Dupont is now behind a construction fence.
In recent years the building became home to many artist studios. Although the building was never deemed residential, some artists used it as a place to live. They have now been evicted to make way for condo development by TAS Design.
below: Through a gap in the window…
The building has also become a canvas for some graffiti including some protesting redevelopment in general and condos in particular.
below: Toronto vs Condos
below: “I told you that… with guns get what they want”. Some of the words are covered but the meaning is still clear.
below: Poster – Who can afford to live here? Which one of you can afford this?
below: Large one-eyed daisy by Life© (life in the streets)
below: Liars – Doug Ford (Ontario Premier) and John Tory (ex-Toronto mayor).
below: Happy little family? Pasteup by 33wallflower33