Geez, I park on that street everytime I come downtown, and I never would of figured that building would be so aesthetically pleasing in a photo.

A blurb from my girlfriend (the architect) about this building: the concrete was created by pouring the concrete into wooden formwork, retaining the texture and color of the wood - a style called deconstructionism. From me: Great shot!

hey rod!

(from me, civil-engineer-in-training) actually, concrete is ALWAYS used in this manner (ie poured into wooden formwork) and always retains the texture to some extent...

:)

Is that the same building that a few weeks ago had an enormous add of a mountain climbing lady?
If so, I like it better this way!

Oooh, some crazy color contrast you got there. What is this building used for? Is is a museum or some kind of shopping center?

If I remember correctly this was supposed to be another office building. But then the office real estate market tanked, and they abandoned the project. The finished the parking garage, however, so it's a sexy-ugly parking garage. (This is going back 8 or 9 years.)

fantastic color contrast! very interesting architecture, reminds me second world war bunkers hidden in woods in my country, Poland :)

Indeed, as someone mentioned, this is the foundation and start of the elevator shaft for what was to be the Bay-Adelaide Centre. When the office market tanked in the early 90s, the construction people just left...

This looks like a post-apocalyptic IKEA. I can almost imagine Charlton Heston holing up here at night, fighting off all manner of mutants, ala Omega Man. And sitting in very stylish, European furniture all the while ...

Good eye to find this shot.

Very cool shot.

Con

You sure Room 101 isn't in here?

Very cool building, beautiful photograph. Think I gotta post this one!

Pretty, but very sad too.

i like

Nice one, Sam. I do like that building. Peter in Toronto: the ad is still there, on the other side of the building. You can see pictures of that at these URLs:

http://groundglass.ca/archives/2004/03/30/adelaide.php
http://www.wickens.ca/sm/archives/000611.html

Awesome picture Sam! I've passed by this building before but never looked at it the you have captured it. Nice work.

oha ... looks a bit scary somehow. I wouldn't want to live there ... but what a find and shot!

Raw concrete, that is raw in its poured form (exposed concrete is an entirely different matter), was an accepted and celebrated aesthetic for the latter half of the twentieth century. The effect was in its heydey in the 1950's-60's in the form of brutalism. It's most famous use comes from the architect Le Corbusier.

As an architect, I can tell you that it is difficult to achieve that kind of accidental beauty that this photo captures and, indeed many people (poor souls) might not not consider it beautiful. The editing device of the photographer's eye brings much to create that beauty, and not by accident.

This photo, in mood although not light, reminds me of a famous photo (maybe by Cartier-Bresson?) of a mostly blank wall with small dark openings... mediterranean light... boys playing in front... ring any bells with anyone?

I have visited Toronto at least 20 times in the past ten years but have never seen this. I will definitely have to see it on my next trip.

Thanks for making me homesick for my favorite city!

nice shot uncle sam. i have to remember seeing it next time i pass Bay street.

Great mix of the rough, cold concrete and the modern soothing lighting. I used this photo as an example for a photography class that I'm teaching.

very nice photo, where is this place anyway??

maybe i should've read your comments at the bottom before posting..

-- that wall reminds me of tulip

Ask any homeless ppl in that area. That's the way they see the streets.

I've always been curious whether the PATH was tunneled here.

So, for the person who asked where this is, the Bay-Adelaide center is, shockingly, at the corner of Bay and Adelaide. :) Downtown.

As for the PATH, yes, it was _supposed_ to go there, but they never finished it. Which is why I've never been able to figure out how to get from First Canadian Place to the Eaton Center totally underground. Perhaps it is indeed possible but the bay-adelaide center has always thwarted me.

Having seen this building several times, the photo makes it look a lot more striking than it really is. Great shot.

nice

From First Canadian Place, head west towards the Exchange Tower, but before you hit the Exchange, take a right (a.k.a. head North) and walk to the Richmond Adelade centre. Keep walking North 'til you get to the Sheridan Hotel, then turn right (head East). Keep heading East 'til you get to The Simpsons/The Bay building. Then turn left (a.k.a. North) and you'll be at the Eaton Centre.

It's difficult, but worth it. Good luck!

Very good shot. Nice contrast.

You know Sam it really looks like the rebel's base in the moon of Endor, if I remember correctly, in episode IV. The entrance is different of course :-)

I wana club night away with trance in that building :)