Looking out of Hart House

The next stop on Doors Open Toronto is Hart House on the University of Toronto campus. Hart House is sort of like a student union, but in the early days it was open to men only. Now any student can become a member to access things like the swimming pool and gym. There is also a study library, music rooms and the campus radio station broadcasts from here as well. There will be more of Hart House tomorrow!

PS: Happy Independence Day to my American readers!

Theatre crest

There were so many details at the Elgin - too many to catch them all! But I did like these two fairies holding a crest. I hope you've enjoyed this look inside the theatre, tomorrow it's on to another location that I visited during Doors Open. Until then, you can find more signs at Signs, Signs.

Vaudeville look

The flats were not the only vaudeville relics found during theatre renovations - there were also lots of lovely costumes. These two are recreations of some of the models that were found, but you can see some of the originals during the backstage tour.

July theme day: Theatrical facade

And we're back to the Elgin Wintergarden Theater! When the theatre was being renovated, they discovered lots of remnants from the vaudeville days, like this old flat. This garden backdrop would have been used for light, musical numbers. I can just imagine the ladies twirling a parasol and singing a light ditty in this scene. For more murals, take a look at Monday Murals and you'll see more interpretations of facades from around the world here.

PS: Happy Canada Day to my Canadian readers!

The Winter Garden

 

Now the really special thing about the Elgin is that it's two theaters in one! Back then (and even today), real estate was expensive on Yonge Street so the original owner built upwards - there is actually a second theatre right above the Elgin and it's called the Winter Garden. We were told during the presentation that there are only a few of these "double-decker" Edwardian type theatres left in the world and Toronto is lucky to have one of them! In the vaudeville days, the lower theatre would be an open-seating type show with tickets costing around 10 cents while the upper theatre was slightly more refined with assigned seating and tickets costing  25 cents or more.

I only wish my photos did this space justice because the atmosphere was really something. Those wonderful leaves hanging from the ceiling are real (although they have been treated with some kind of preservative) and you get a wonderful feeling as soon as you walk into the space. I hope to come back here one day to see a show.

Details of the Elgin Theatre

Here's another look at the inside of the Elgin theatre. Wouldn't you love to sit in one of those opera boxes? I think they're amazing!

 

They even look good in black and white. I'm so glad this place has been saved and preserved. It started as a vaudeville house, became a movie theater and now broadway-style shows are housed here. Check back tomorrow when I'll show you something really special about the Elgin.

Theatrical details

Here's a look at the beautifully restored ceiling of the Elgin theater. The Elgin was originally a vaudeville house which was later converted to show "talkies". Unfortunately many of the wonderful details were lost during the transition, but now that the theater has been designated as a historical landmark, it has been restored and renovated back to its former glory. I'm only sad my photos don't really do the place justice. I'll show you more of this wonderful location tomorrow!

Theatrical mural

It's on to the second stop of Doors Open Toronto - the Elgin theater! This place was just fantastically beautiful and the volunteer who gave a talk about the theater's history was so interesting and really knew his stuff. What you're looking at is the fire curtain of one of the two theaters housed in the building. I'll show and tell you more about it this week. Until then, you can find more murals at Monday Murals.

Big reflections

Here's a look at the outside of the pumping station. You'll remember those big windows from yesterday's shot. They make great mirrors for the main building and the bit of sunny blue sky we had that day! For more reflections, head to Weekend Reflections.

PS: Happy Friday!!!

Pumping station

Just behind the main building I showed you yesterday is a secondary building where they actually pump the water right out of Lake Ontario. Once it's brought in, it goes up to the main building where it goes through several treatment steps before being sent out to Torontonians to drink!

The pumping station was quite impressive - all those motors running were really quite loud! But I love to see how things work and it was also fantastic that such a wonderfully decorative building still has a practical use today. 

Grand entrance

The main entrance into the water treatment plant was grand! Just look at that beautiful arch and windows - and all those fantastic art deco details. It's a shame they don't build them like this anymore.

Doors open Toronto!

Toronto once again opened its doors to let visitors see spaces that typically aren't open to the public. My first stop was the RC Harris water treatment plant. Everyone had told me how wonderful it is, an old Art Deco style building with loads of great details. The building definitely didn't disappoint and I'll be showing you more of it this week. Until then, enjoy this view of the main hallway that overlooks the holding tanks.

Collective mural

I found this colorful cyclist on a wall just off Queen West street. The bright colors were what attracted me initially. But when I went to the Collective Spaces website, I liked it even better. Apparently the works on this wall will be changed periodically to showcase different talents. I definitely think it's cool to keep things fresh! If you enjoy murals, head to Monday Murals.

Natural lines

A shot of the leaves shooting out on the mulberry tree in my yard. We had an exceptionally short spring this year, but my mulberries are finally fully leafed out. I wonder if the hard winter will mean more berries? 

Do you like it better in color or black and white? I can't decide!

Cocky sign

I love anything with a rooster on it, maybe it's because I equate this symbol with France.  So when I saw this coffee shop window on Queen Street West, I knew I had to catch it! The bikes are an added bonus. For more signs, head to Signs, Signs.