The makeover of Berczy Park

The quiet oasis located in the St Lawrence Market area of Toronto has been fenced off for some time as the park has been re-imagined and reconstructed by the City's contractor. Best known for peaceful contemplation centered around the large fountain with an amazing view of the giant mural on the triangular Flatiron building. At one time lovely metal chairs and tables provided by the Friends of Berczy Park ranged around the fountain, perfect for reading a book and enjoying a coffee or tea from the nearby Tim Hortons while the city buzzes on without you.

Now the only fencing that remains is the temporary orange construction fence that protects the new grass and trees on the small rolling hills along with the fence around the still in progress fountain. The dull grey concrete sidewalks and walls have been removed and replaced with coloured tiles that line the central area and on the walkways that run into the site.

The old fountain is gone and in its place rises a much larger multi-storied circular fountain that, at its peak, holds a giant golden bone. A bone so appetizing that dog statues on each level surround the bone, drawn to the golden treasure so tantalizing that they will never leave its sight - not even for a tinkle at the closest fire hydrant. More dogs remain to be installed and I understand that a single cat will be added to the gang of doggies. A play area for children is also coming.

Panorama of the park with the Flatiron building and mural on the left

The front of the Gooderham Flatiron Building at Church and Front Streets

Toronto Historical Board plaque showing the architect and the date of construction 1892

Perfect in Toronto

Sometimes the views in Toronto are so gorgeous you can forget about going up to the cottage. The Flatiron Building in the St Lawrence Market area is always one of my favourite places to see. Its time to enjoy the views before summer ends and the cold days of winter return.

Berczy Park gets a makeover

Construction fence lines the edges of the triangular park that sits behind the triangular building in Toronto. Berczy Park is currently undergoing renovations that will see a fancy new fountain, an enlarged courtyard with some groovy patterns and more dirt for trees.

The plain old fountain, above, will soon be replaced and from the architects view it looks like it will be replaced with bronze doggies on a multi-level fountain

The Gooderham Flat Iron Building

The fountain is dry - keep out

The park is fenced off better than a celebrity party at tiff

The estimated budget for the park reconstruction is $3.7 million bucks and work was held off until after the PanAm Games. Streetscape improvements adjacent to the park will run up the tab to about $8 mill.

Another look at the Flatiron building and Berczy Park

The triangular building and the adjacent park is one of my favourite places to relax in the downtown area of Toronto. You can enjoy a coffee beside the fountain and admire the large mural on the backside of the Flatiron building.

Looking towards the central core and the park's fountain

#Toronto Triangular Buildings

The majestic Gooderham Flatiron building at Front and Church Street is a must see tourist stop in our fair city. Sitting on Dundas and George Street is Filmores Hotel, another must see building for other reasons, apparently it is a good club with bad girls.

Old Town Toronto Cavalcade of Lights

Carolers dressed in uniform performed in Berczy Park as the night time celebration of Christmas lights takes place in St Lawrence Market neighbourhood on Saturday, November 30. The War of 1812 soldiers gathered by the tree to sing songs of the holidays. On weekends the Victorian Carol Singers will be performing on weekends throughout the market area until December 21st.

"With the arrival of Santa and his parade, thoughts of kids young and old begin to turn to the holidays. Here in Old Town Toronto, the festivities begin with the annual Cavalcade of Lights celebration. Join us Saturday, November 30th from 5:30pm-6:30pm in Berczy Park and in St. James Park from 6:45pm-7:30pm for the tree lighting. Enjoy a hot cup hot chocolate or apple cider."

Bright coloured lights cover the trees

The Flatiron building adjacent to the park makes the trip to the area more than worth the trip

Berczy Park sidewalk

Remembering the sidewalk which is painted for chalk colouring, sitting in the shadow of trees beside the #Toronto Flatiron building. If the drawing is to scale it must be Clifford the Big Red Dog beside the CN Tower. This is one of my favourite places in Toronto. Located within the St Lawrence Market area you can relax beside the fountain or stare at the art mural on the side of the Gooderham Building.

And this bird is eating a worm

See more of the park after the jump.

Sharp building in #Toronto Distillery District

The building along Mill Street comes to a sharp point as it hits Parliament Street. So sharp it could cut like a knife. It makes for a scary passage through the brick lanes of the historic, bricky neighbourhood. 

If this building is sharp like a steak knife, the Flatiron Building in the St Lawrence Market area is a little more like a butter knife at its point, a little more rounded and far safer to pass by without being cut.

Woofstock this weekend

@Woofstock, the largest outdoor festival for dogs, takes over the #Toronto St Lawrence Market and Flatiron Building areas on Saturday and Sunday, June 9-10, 2012 to 6pm. Woofstock is one of those things where you spend half the time going awww, that is so cute! Not only do dogs seem to out number the humans, but many of them seem to be better dressed - don't forget to see the costume contest.

This is a fantastic family event with a chance to wander the distinctive neighbourhood when the roads are closed to vehicle traffic and venders line the streets with something for dogs of all sizes and breeds.

See my photos of Woofstock 2011 and Woofstock 2010.

Fountain at the St Lawrence Market

Flatiron Building

Event Schedule
SATURDAY June 9th, 2012

9:00 a.m. OVER THE RAINBOW SEARCH FOR TOTO Berczy Park
10:30 a.m. PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St., South of Front St.
11:00 a.m. BULLWRINKLES "WIENER DOG RACES" Church St., North of Front St.
11:00 a.m. SPEED DATING Berczy Park
11:30 a.m. PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St., South of Front St.
12:00 p.m. WOOFSTOCK EVENT KICK OFF Main Stage, Berczy Park
12:05 p.m. WOOFSTOCK FASHION SHOW Main Stage, Berczy Park
12:30 p.m. STUPID DOG TRICK CONTEST Main Stage, Berczy Park
1:00 p.m. MS. & MR. CANINE CANADA PAGEANT Main Stage, Berczy Park
2:00 p.m. BEST COSTUME CONTEST Main Stage, Berczy Park
4:30 p.m. PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St., South of Front St.
5:30 p.m. PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St., South of Front St.

Sunday June 10th 2012

10:30am PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St, South of Front St.

11:00am K9 RESCUE ME WALK-A-THON Main Stage, Berczy Park.

11:00am BULLWRINKLES "RUNNING OF THE PUGS" Church St, North of Front St.

11:30am PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St, South of Front St.

12:00pm WOOFSTOCK STAGE KICK OFF Main Stage, Berczy Park.

12:05pm WOOFSTOCK FASHION SHOW Main Stage, Berczy Park.

12:30pm STUPID DOG TRICK CONTEST Main Stage, Berczy Park.

1:00pm MS & MR CANINE CANADA PAGEANT Main Stage, Berczy Park.

2:00pm BEST COSTUME CONTEST Main Stage, Berczy Park.

4:30pm PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St, South of Front St.

5:30pm PURINA PRO PLAN DOG STARS Church St, South of Front St.

Flatiron Building sold to Commercial Realty Group

A big $15.29 million dollars later and the famous #Toronto landmark goes to the Commercial Realty Group in a deal brokered by Brookfield Financial Realty Group. I love this building located at 49 Wellington Street and find it hard not to take pictures of it whenever I am in the area. Clayton Smith's group now owns six properties in Toronto's downtown core.

The buildings' rounded edges, deep red bricks, the unusual mural on the western wall, the park in the back (Berczy Park) and the tight thong and bikini top it wears in the summer makes this a primo postcard view. If they could get a nickel from everyone taking a picture of the building they would be rich, well richer than they already are.

From the Marketwire news release "Located at the junction of Front and Wellington Streets, the sandstone building is in a Romanesque and Gothic revival-style with a circular tower at its apex.

The property comprises a total commercial rentable area of 19,193 square feet throughout its 5-storeys and raised basement. The interior of the Flatiron Building is known for its uniquely shaped offices which feature exceptional views that look directly upon Toronto's St. Lawrence Market District and the downtown office towers. The property was completely restored in the late 1990's, and today features some of the finest office space in Toronto's Financial Core, blending functional, trend-setting work space within a "brick and beam" setting."

Toronto Flatiron building for sale, time to relax in Berczy Park

Update Dec 15, 2011: The Flatiron Building sold for $15.26 million dollars.

On a pleasant day the fountain at Berczy Park and the surrounding area is a perfect way to relax and enjoy life in the city. These two gentleman perch on the edge of the fountain as they smoke their large cigars. The park looks upon the large wall mural on the west face of the triangular Flatiron or Gooderham Building which is located at the convergence of Wellington and Front Streets where Church Street cuts like a knife.

Nestled in the bosom of Toronto's skyscrapers

The Flatiron Mural by Derek Besant

The view from the Church Street intersection

Even a reasonable facsimile of Lady Gaga has been seen near the building!

The building with the restaurants and patio's on the ground and basement floors is a historic landmark located just east of Yonge Street in the St Lawrence Market neighbourhood. You can buy the amazing building as it is currently up for sale but count your pennies because in 2005 it sold for $10 million dollars. Put your bid in to Brookfield by October 27, 2011.

The stark fire escape stairs run down the side of the brick building near the front of the wedge

Buskerfest 2011 begins

The popular festival of street performers has taken over the St Lawrence Market and already the crowds are filling the areas in giant circles around the acts. Sprinkled throughout are buskers like Silver Elvis and Katy Mior. Buskerfest runs from Thursday August 25 to Sunday August 28. Fun, fun, fun. Kromatik is providing fantastic and magical face painting (see one of their breathing artworks at top).

The historic St Lawrence Market sign is framed by a stage and star burst balloons.

The Flat Iron building is in the middle of the festival and a stage is set up beside the mural at Berczy Park.

Fran's Restaurant has a beer garden and I pick up a ice cold Canadian beer from the lovely bartender.

Three really cool giant insect monsters of XL Insects rest before (surely) ripping apart festival goers. See my YouTube video below.

See more fun festival photos after the jump.