Junction Triangle

Ground floor

On December 7th 2009 I had the opportunity to do something I've wanted to do since moving in to this neighbourhood: I explored the Tower Automotive building Sterling Rd. Four of us from the TLR Club photography group spent the snowy Monday afternoon wandering through the building, admiring the architecture and views, and of course taking many photos.

The Tower Automotive building on Sterling Road is a fascinating place. Because of its height and location (no other tall buildings nearby) it's one of the most easily recognizable features of this neighbourhood, from miles around. I won't go into too much detail about the property or development plans, which you can read about here, so I'll just move on to the photo tour.

These first two photos were taken on the ground floor of the building. I'm not sure why, but the main level had a hardwood floor instead of concrete like everywhere else.

Castlepoint's Properties

Here are my notes from the January 18 2010 meeting about the ongoing developments at the former Tower Automotive properties. Hosted by Castlepoint Realty Partners (the property owners / developers) and the South Perth and Sterling Rd. Residents Association at the Church of the First Born, the meeting was certainly informative and interesting. It attracted about 40 people from all around this community (guessing, I didn't count).

My notes are just quick points that I jotted down at the meeting. If you have any of your own comments or corrections, please feel free to reply below.

Note: You can view the huge versions of the images by clicking on them. The fine details may still be hard to read.

Graphic by Castlepoint Realty Partners, photo by Vic Gedris, 2010-01-18.

Graphic by Castlepoint Realty Partners, photo by Vic Gedris, 2010-01-18.

Graphic by Castlepoint Realty Partners, photo by Vic Gedris, 2010-01-18.

Graphic by Castlepoint Realty Partners, photo by Vic Gedris, 2010-01-18.

Tower Automotive, 158 Sterling Rd.

Want to know what's happening with the vacant Tower Automotive property on Sterling Rd. south of Bloor St.? Castlepoint Developments is hosting a series of meetings to discuss plans with the community. Details about this first meeting were passed on to us by Phil from the South Perth and Sterling Road Residents Association:

We will be hosting the first of our Community Outreach meeting(s) for the Sterling properties owned by Castlepoint on January 18, 2010 - 7pm at the Church of the First Born (72 Perth Ave.) located directly next to our vacant property fronting on Perth Street. Parking is available on the vacant lands.

Coffee/Tea and cookies are provided

NOTE: I closed comments on this item. Discussion is over here where I posted the notes from the meeting.

The former Tower Automotive building on Sterling Rd., as seen from the West Toronto Railpath.

Photo by Vic Gedris, 2009-02-28.

Tower Automotive, Sterling Rd.: As seen from the West Toronto Railpath. Photo by Vic Gedris, 2009-02-28.

Jonathan Castellino of BlogTO recently wrote an article / photo essay about the Tower Automotive site on Sterling Rd.

"Overlooking Toronto's junction[sic] rests the shell of Tower Automotive. Built in the first quarter of the 20th century, and closed in 2006, the former sheet-casting facility is currently being redeveloped into studio space. Thankfully, the tower itself--a 10-story building which no one in the neighbourhood can miss--as well as the facade of the low-lying former machining areas, will be preserved."

Although this building and surrounding grounds are fully secured right now, it has been a notable place for urban explorers to visit and photograph. It seems that Jonathan has visited many times, and has collected a great series of photos of the buildings' interiors, as well as the view from inside the tower.

I have always wondered what it looked like behind those walls, and what our neighbourhood, and the city beyond, looked like from the windows on the top floor. Perhaps someday I will be lucky enough to have a tour, but for now at least I can rely on some intrepid explorers' photos.

Taking a break at the south end of the Railpath, at the corner of Dundas St. and Sterling Rd.

Photo by Vic Gedris, 2009-06-20. A complete gallery of photos from this event are on Vic's Website.

Other discussions of the Railpath opening parade are on the I Bike TO website.