Looking southeast towards the back of the Gooderham “Flatiron” Building from Wellington St E and Scott St in the Old Town, St Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto.
Since 1892, the wedge-shaped building has stood at the unique corner and originally served as the head office of the liquor distilling company Gooderham & Worts Limited. Today, the heritage-designated architectural landmark is one of the city’s most photographed buildings.
The current photo taken from the west side of the building, overlooking Berczy Park, features an impressive trompe-l’oeil mural. This artwork, created in 1980 by Canadian artist Derek Michael Besant, appears as if it is pinned to the building and blowing in the wind. With its three-dimensional effect, the mural depicts the windows of the neighbouring Perkins Block located at 41-43 Front St E, which can be seen in the centre-right of the archive photo.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 49 Wellington St E
- Heritage Toronto: Gooderham “Flatiron” Building 1892 plaque
- Canada’s Historic Places: 49 Wellington St E
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
