Miscellaneous
This section is currently under construction. Just wanted to include a series of hidden spaces that would otherwise be overlooked if they were listed in the previous page.
John Street Roundhouse & Copeland Transformer Station
Built under some of the most well known landmarks in Canada is one of Toronto Hydro's most ambitious projects yet: The Clare R. Copeland Transformer Station. Located directly underneath the old John Street roundhouse (repurposed as the Steamwhistle Brewery and the Rec Room), this complex was constructed to support an aging power grid with handling Toronto’s surging demand for electricity. The original transformer station, located 600 meters up the road, was connected via cable tunnels that were dug in 2014 using a tunnel boring machine which weaved its way through the chaotic web of underground infrastructure.
Allan Gardens
In one of the oldest parks in Toronto is the Allan Gardens Conservatory whose original concept dates back to 1858. Built in 1910 almost entirely of steel and glass, there are ladders that can be used to access different parts of the roof by sliding them along rails that line the perimeter of the structure. However, clambering around the roof is more difficult than it looks because of the fragility of the glass; one misstep and you risk damaging the building. Furthermore, I didn’t realize the parking lot was a hang out for late-night cops and after summiting the tip a few police cars pulled up right beside my only route down. Wearing only a hoodie on a chilly autumn night, I shivered for a couple hours before I gave in and climbed down anyway. Thankfully, Spidey abilities were equipped and I managed to get away without any trouble.
Nestle Factory
The Nestle Factory, like the Redpath Sugar Refinery, is one of Toronto’s enduring industrial facilities. Nestled against a CP rail corridor on Sterling Road, it is a site for the R&D and production of candy bars. As economic pressures resurect nearby condemned buildings as modern art museums and empty scrap yards as yuupie real estate, this rusting monstrosity stands as a monument to a time when we produced the things we consumed.
Toronto Western Hospital
Heavily fortified and constantly surrounded by first responders, the potential for this spot is vast yet hindered by the fact that if anything goes wrong, the TPF will be there in an instant to nab you. Some areas are easily accessible to anyone who is willing to wander aimlessly around during daylight hours, though juicy treasures await for those who stick around after midnight. Since it opened in 1905, Toronto Western has undergone extensive renovations.
Leaside Bridge
Built in 1927 to help link the new Village of Leaside to Toronto via the old mill town of Todmorden, this bridge stands tall over the Don Valley at an impressive 144 feet at the height of its 1640 foot span. Like the Bloor-Danforth viaduct to the south, it too was built with the capacity to support transit along the truss of its underbelly. However, because we can’t have nice things, in the mid-twentieth century pro-motorist policies had it widened from four to six lanes - maximizing its carrying capacity and nullifying any hopes of being a memorable landmark. 62 years later, a renewed interest in transit will see a new bridge erected just a stones throw away supporting the long, long (long) overdue construction of the Ontario Line.
What’s this bridge good for then? Offering adventurers its endless guts of climable steel and being the victim of engineering student shinanigans: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/dangling-car-movie-shoot-1.4644468
Saint Volodymyr Ukrainian Cathedral
Boulevard Club
Suitable climb for all age and sizes. Given the sandbox level of accessibility, they’re basically asking to have their roof tresspassed.
Ontario Food Terminal
Welcome to the Ontario Food Terminal Board! Established in 1954, the Ontario Food Terminal is the “stock exchange” for fruits and vegetables, where prices are determined by supply and demand and can change daily. It is the largest wholesale Fruit and Produce Terminal. It ranks amongst the top four Terminal Markets in Canada and the United States by volume of produce distributed.
Lower Bay
Lower Bay Station was only open for six months when the Bloor-Danforth line was completed in 1966. In passing one afternoon, I noticed a suspicious door that was ever so slightly ajar on Bay’s upper platform; sensing treasure, I quickly flicked it open and ran down the stairs in giddy anticipation. I managed to snap a few photos before workers got in the way of a more thorough exploration.
TDSB Headquarters
This opportunity was just too golden to pass up.
Kennedy Park Condos
Taken from atop the Picnic Condos (Kennedy Park Road and Bloor Street W.) while under construction. I wanted to include this trio of photos since they capture a neighbourhood not usually appreciated from above. The first photo is looking west towards Runnymede, the second is facing down onto Kennedy Park Road (the streak of lights is the subway train passing between Runnymede and High Park Stations), and the third is looking east and shows the cluster of condo towers near High Park Station.
