Hello and welcome to my blog! I’m glad you’re here. It’s week 18 in 2022 and I’m hosting Weekend Coffee Share linkup #68. Come on in for a cup of coffee or tea and let’s chat.
Last week I took a self-guided architecture walk at Exhibition Place to revisit some of the buildings and public artworks. I’ve shared a few structures on the grounds of Exhibition Place on my blog before such as the Princes’ Gates, Fort Rouillé, Scadding Cabin, and Liberty Grand.
Dufferin Gate
On this walk, I started from Dufferin Gate, located at the north-west end of Exhibition Place, to visit the Gouinlock buildings first.
This gateway to Exhibition Place has been rebuilt three times (1895, 1910, and 1959). Before the Princes’ Gates were built, the Dufferin Gate served as the main entrance to the grounds. In 1959, construction of the Gardiner Expressway necessitated the demolition of the 1910 gate, which was replaced with the current parabolic arch.
Exhibition Place website
Gouinlock Buildings
From 1905 through 1912, fifteen elaborate structures by architect George W. Gouinlock were constructed in the west end of Exhibition Place. The five still standing buildings are designated as a National Historic Site of Canada in 1988. The oldest is the Press Building with its façade in Beaux-Arts style.
Other Buildings
Walking towards the east end of Exhibition Place, I chose the following buildings for their unique architectural styles:
The British army established a military post here in 1840-41 to replace aging Fort York. Known as the New Fort, it consisted of seven limestone buildings around a parade square, and a number of lesser structures. Massive defensive works were planned for the perimeter but never built. In 1893 the fort was renamed Stanley Barracks in honour of Governor General Lord Stanley. Canadian forces assumed responsibility for the post in 1870 and garrisoned it until 1947. The barracks then served as public housing until the early 1950s, when all but this building, the Officers’ Quarters, were demolished.
Text from the Stanley Barracks plaque
Exhibition Place has many buildings and public artworks. I enjoyed my Architecture walk on a sunny spring day. The approximate distance was 5 km (3 miles). I’ll be back for an Art walk.
Shared with #ThursdayDoors, #PPAC, #CellpicSunday, #Jo’s Monday Walk.
How has your week been?
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Natalie the Explorer 
What marvelous old architecture. Love that parabolic arch ☕
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Thank you, JP. That arch also looks nice at night with the lights on.
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OMW I can just imagine 😊
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Love the different architectural styles! You live in a beautiful city.
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Thank you, Janet. I do love living in Toronto.
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Natalie, it’s great to be back to see and read what you’ve been up to. Lots of walking, taking pics and we share your experience. Thank you. I was doing a bit of a scroll through some photos from when we lived in Sydney, and I did a photo walk around the city snapping buildings of interest and I note that there seems to be similar architectural style from the past. Warm wishes from a rapidly cooling evening here. Denyse
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Denyse, Yes, from some of the pictures of buildings in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that I saw, there seems to be similar architectural style in cities in Canada and Australia. Thank you for joining me virtually. Have a great week!
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I loved the domed roofs Natalie and it’s also amazing that the fire department is still using their 100+ year old building rather than going to something new and modern. Nice to see some history being preserved and still functioning so well.
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Leanne, Toronto does preserve some of the historic buildings. That Fire station is fully functioning with the latest fire fighting equipment. In my photo you can see the tail end of a fire truck. The firemen left on a call a few minutes after I took my photos.
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This is a wonderful collection, Natalie. I love the history and the fact that they’ve taken steps to preserve the remaining buildings. I love the Railways/Music Building with its angled sides.
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Thank you, Dan. I’m glad you like this collection. Most of the buildings at Exhibition Place are quite large; each can house from hundreds to thousands of people plus huge space for exhibits.
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Thank you for linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare this week.
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Your photos are lovely. These historic buildings are worthy of note. How do you get pics of them without people in them? That’s my bugaboo when I try to photograph large buildings.
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Good question, Ally. I dislike taking pictures with strangers in them so I go on weekday mornings and on days when I know there is no big event scheduled. Ontario just lifted pandemic restrictions for in-person large events a few weeks ago so Exhibition Place is not yet flooded with people. Fast forward to August when the annual Canadian National Exhibition is on, this place will be super busy for 3-4 weeks straight.
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Indeed you live in a beautiful city, Natalie. Gorgeous architecture. Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Terri, for your comment. It’s fun for me to explore older buildings in Toronto and learn more about them and the city.
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Lovely walking tour of some interesting buildings. You have inspired me to take more note of the buildings in Wellington!
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I’m pleased to inspire you. I’m sure some of the buildings in Wellington have interesting history and architectural styles.
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They’re some lovely buildings. That arch is interesting – engineering-wise (or maybe I just know nothing about engineering?)
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It’s proof that concrete can be bent 🙂
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So many lovely architectural design elements and eras here! It looks like you had a lovely walk.
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Yes, I did. It’s fun to to explore older buildings in Toronto and learn more about them and the city.
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Your posts always have a wonderful way of making me homesick. I especially love this area — so rich with history and unique architecture. Thank you for sharing this!
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Hi Donna, I’m glad to share an area that you love. There is a new soccer stadium (BMO Field) at Exhibition Place that you may not have seen since you were last in Toronto.
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A stunning walk, Natalie! and such beautiful weather as well. There is just an incredible number of lovely buildings – you photograph them all so engagingly!
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Thank you, Ju-Lyn, for your kind comments. Exhibition Place is good for cycling, walking, and photography. The weather forecast is sunny and warm next week so I’m looking forward to taking more outdoor walks.
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Thank you so much for sharing all these lovely buildings. I love looking at architecture, and this is so many different styles. The windows of old houses is usually what catches my eye first. Thank you or sharing this with us. Have a lovely weekend.
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You’re welcome, Maria. I’m glad you enjoy the virtual architecture walk. I love looking at architecture, read the history of the building or the place, and take pictures at different angles. Have a wonderful weekend!
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Gorgeous weather and I love the architecture, Natalie. Thank you for taking us on your walk. Enjoy your weekend and explorations. x
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Hi Sue, Yes, the local weather forecast is sunny this weekend and the full week ahead. I’ll be outdoors exploring for sure. I’m pleased you love the architecture that I shared. Thank you for linking up. Have a wonderful week!
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A lot of cool architecture. The exhibition place sounds like great place to explore.between events. I hope you are having a good weekend 🙂
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Thank you, Trent, for stopping by. Exhibition Place is a good place to cycle, jog, or walk between events. There is a dedicated bike path and the sidewalks are wide. Have a great weekend!
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Thanks for joining in Weekend Coffee Share this week.
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These are beautiful buildings, Natalie. It’s amazing how well they are built and how the styles changed through the years. Did you have a favorite? Mine was the Press Building built in 1905. Thanks so much for including PPAC. I’m linking to my last post and my next one. 🙂 Have a great week, Natalie. Here’s my post. https://alwayswrite.blog/2022/05/07/my-coffee-bounced-into-the-street/.
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Thank you, Marsha, for your comment and linking up with #weekendcoffeeshare. The Press Building in Beaux-Arts style is beautiful and easy on the eyes with its symmetry. I like all of the buildings that I shared in this post and visit them often to study their architectural details. I guess you’re back at home? Have a wonderful weekend!
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Are you taking art or architectural classes? I think you have a talent in that direction. Yes, I’m back home. Starting next week I’m back on schedule. thanks again for contributing to PPAC this week. 🙂 You’re a star.
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No class, Marsha, just self-study for fun. I’m interested in architecture and history so I read, visit buildings, admire the style and details and photograph some of them 🙂 I’ll link this post to your upcoming PPAC.
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Thanks, Natalie. I actually linked it to the last one as well, so I will link it in my Featured Section. 🙂 I appreciate all you do for the blogging world, Natalie. You’re a gem. 🙂
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Thank you, Marsha. Your positive comments encourage me to keep blogging 🙂
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Good, they are meant to do that! With your every post, I’m a success! YAY!
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Hi Natalie
I always enjoy sitting still long enough to enjoy how so many older buildings were designed to be both functional & eye-popping unique and interesting 😀
Thanks another great collection.
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Thanks Gary for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed viewing my building collection. Exhibition Place is a cool place to visit. Have a great weekend!
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Such a beautiful place. Very nice. I would love to visit there. Thanks for the tour.
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Thank you, Patrick, for joining in. Have a great Sunday!
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Loved learning yet a little more about Toronto’s historic buildings through your post. Thanks for hosting #weekendcoffeeshare.
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Thank you Astrid for joining me virtually. Have a great week ahead!
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Great tour!
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Thank you Jackie. These buildings have interesting history.
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Very cool and expected
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Thank you, Antoinette. Happy Mother’s Day weekend to you!
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Another interesting walk, Natalie. I love the blue sky. And that there’s such a thing as “military style” when it comes to buildings. 🙂
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Hi Liesbet, The weather in Toronto is gorgeous today and all of next week. Blue sky and flowers in bloom everywhere. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful week!
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Very interesting virtual walk, Natalie!
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Thank you, John.
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Lovely photos. I like these colonial style buildings. They are the same the world over; the British seemed to have made no concession to weather. The Horse Palace is interesting, quite different from the others. I like that inviting arch. Toronto is in my bucket list, and your photos nudged it up a little.
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I’m pleased to hear you have Toronto on your bucket list. There are lots to see and do here. The Horse Palace was built in 1931, one of the finest equestrian facilities in Canada. Now it’s home to the Toronto Police Mounted Unit and the Exhibition Riding Academy. If you zoom in my photo, there are figures of horses rendered in the masonry on the exterior of the building. Dufferin Gate parabolic arch looks nice at night, too.
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I enjoy my walks. Because LA is so sprawled, on some weekends I’ll drive to a neighborhood just to walk and enjoy a different scenery.
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Glad to hear you enjoy your walks in LA. A change of scenery is good for our senses.
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What a great walk past so many beautiful buildings.
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Thank you, Susan. I’m glad you think the buildings are beautiful.
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It’s always good to be out under a bright blue sky, Natalie. Thanks for joining me.
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I agree, Jo. The local weather is sunny this week, ideal for walking and being outdoors. I hope to join you again next week.
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