hkskyline's 2023 in TORONTO

[hkskyline]

As part of my year-end round-the-world adventure, I ended up in Toronto at its coldest time of the year. Luckily, a few days were walkable with good weather and the streets cleared of snow and ice. However, I was not immune from winter storms. More on that in the upcoming parts.

Although with interest rates going through the roof, there is still a big construction boom in downtown Toronto, with condos going up everywhere. I suppose the construction and economic cycles are not necessarily in sync and the building boom tends to lag behind. Here is a compilation from my recent walk on a sunny wintry day.

[geomorph]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

I'm liking this one the best!

[xzmattzx]

Nice pictures so far! It looks like there hasn't been much snow yet.

[yaletown_fella]

Originally Posted by geomorph

I'm liking this one the best!

Yonge and Spandrel-edge.

Oddfellows Hall needs a vertical expansion to cover up that G&C eyesore. It'll just be difficult and probably cost-prohibitive to do it in a way that respects and preserves/restores the building in its entirety.

[EastSideHBG]

Wonderful!

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by xzmattzx

Nice pictures so far! It looks like there hasn't been much snow yet.

It's sporadic, and a white Christmas is not always guaranteed. There was a fairly big one that came during my visit though.

On Jan 25, 2023, a major winter storm swept through southern Ontario. Between 11am and 8pm that day, 10cm of snow fell at Pearson Airport, while northern and eastern suburbs received more with 15cm in Brampton and Whitby. The forecast called for up to 20cm in the Greater Toronto Area into Thursday. With barely any winds, a lot of the snow accumulated on branches, which is not common and made the wintry scene extra spectacular.

This photo set was taken from various points around David Dunlap Observatory in the northern suburb of Richmond Hill the day after, as blue skies returned.















































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toronto.htm

[xzmattzx]

Nice pictures. Was there a reason you were in Richmond Hill? It seems like an odd place to go from halfway around the world. It would be like going to New York City and wanting to visit Nassau County.

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by xzmattzx

Nice pictures. Was there a reason you were in Richmond Hill? It seems like an odd place to go from halfway around the world. It would be like going to New York City and wanting to visit Nassau County.

Actually most of my friends are in the 905 area so I tend to stay north of the city and only head downtown if I have something to do that day.

David Dunlap is an interesting story. It's now surrounded by suburbia so I doubt stargazing is possible with all the light pollution, and part of its grounds is being developed into houses/townhouses so I wanted to see how much has been lost.

[xzmattzx]

Originally Posted by hkskyline

Actually most of my friends are in the 905 area so I tend to stay north of the city and only head downtown if I have something to do that day.

David Dunlap is an interesting story. It's now surrounded by suburbia so I doubt stargazing is possible with all the light pollution, and part of its grounds is being developed into houses/townhouses so I wanted to see how much has been lost.

That makes sense. Interesting about the observatory; I didn't even think that it might be useless with the housing all around it now.

[hkskyline]

During the 19th century, an Innkeepers Licence was needed to sell alcohol in small quantities. Properties with 3 beds for travellers and a shed for animals or vehicles who also can provide hot meals could apply for a licence.

Montgomery's Inn was built in the 1830s not only as a hotel, but a gathering place for drinks and games, somewhat like today's community centre. It was frequented by new arrivals into the country as their first stop. Today's museum was pieced together with pieces that reflect the era, as the building's contents were sold in auction after Thomas Montgomery's death in 1877.































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toronto.htm

[xzmattzx]

Nothing like a historic tavern

[hkskyline]

Little Canada is a miniature world inspired by Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg. The dream began in 2011 when the founder reached out to model railway clubs for help. This 2 floor attraction across from Yonge-Dundas Square is still growing with more sections due to open in the coming years.









































More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toronto.htm

[hkskyline]

David Gibson was a Scottish immigrant who made a living as a surveyor, helping the British colonial government settle this part of the colony. His original farmhouse was burned down after he fled following a rebelion in 1837, rebuilt into what we see today when he returned from the United States. Now hidden from Yonge Street behind highrises, the building was saved but had to be re-decorated for that era.













Surveyors used a Gunter's chain to lay out the lots for the colonial government. There was an urgency to settle Upper Canada, fearing the colony could be under threat from the Americans south of the border.













More photos on my website : https://www.globalphotos.org/toronto.htm

[xzmattzx]

Where on Yonge Street is that Gibson House?

[hkskyline]

Originally Posted by xzmattzx

Where on Yonge Street is that Gibson House?

It's right next to North York Centre station.