Ghost Buildings

september 25, 2010

2010-09-25T17:44:00.001-07:00

this is the end.

i've decided to terminate this blog -- at least for now -- and focus on my personal blog over at www.dieyuppieburger.tumblr.com

i will still post the type of content i've posted here, but also other, more diverse topics and images.

feel free to contact me at afgreenberg@gmail.com or anthony.greenberg@ryerson.ca if you so desire.

thanks.

5 september 2010

2010-09-05T13:12:00.000-07:00

for some thoughts on the complicated dilemma of where to settle, check out this posting from my personal blog.

August 26, 2010: "The Cube", Old Market Square, Winnipeg

2010-08-26T12:50:00.001-07:00

August 26, 2010: Antique Store, Exchange District, Winnipeg

2010-08-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

30 July 2010: fringes of cabbagetown

2010-07-30T07:21:00.001-07:00

3 July 2010: an afternoon in the park

2010-07-03T14:33:00.000-07:00

27 june 2010: the gardens of gore vale

2010-06-27T14:15:00.000-07:00

i really love everything about my storetop apartment right across from trinity bellwoods park, but i'd be lying if i didnt admit i covet the residential houses on gore vale avenue that border its eastern edge. i usually am biking down gore vale at a fast pace, so was pleasantly surprised today when i had a chance to walk down the street and recognize how beautiful the gardens are in front of some of the homes. i was thinking of writing up a post about an article i remember reading by a researcher in the united states who did a qualitative study about types of gardens, and how they tend to reflect the political leaning and sociological profile of the lawns owner; that non-manicured, natural lawn reflect left leaning politics, and more education. and i was thinking about how this is an interesting thought when walking through little portugal and comparing the types of lawns and how this can be a good visual signifier of gentrifyers and original inhabitants... but i think instead of delving into this i might just take my analytical hat off for a second and say, hey everyone, isn't summertime beautiful?

so, hey everyone. isnt summertime beautiful? aren't cities in the summertime really, really fucking beautiful?

enjoy.

27 june 2010

2010-06-27T14:08:00.000-07:00

ghost building along the west toronto railpath

24 June, 2010

2010-06-24T11:50:00.000-07:00

in liberty village.

21 April 2010

2010-04-21T06:06:00.001-07:00

Further to my post yesterday...

20 April 2010

2010-04-20T05:56:00.000-07:00

Sally Seltmann "Harmony to My Heartbeat" (Dir. Antuong Nguyen for MOOP JAW) from Moop Jaw on Vimeo.

Sally Seltmann (formerly New Buffalo) is one of my favorite songwriters/artists. She can be a bit too precious for some, but for me, i've always found the slightly 'off' instrumentation and unattached vocals to give her saccharine songs just enough edge.

This video for her new song 'Harmony to my Heartbeat' is so pretty and makes me want to have a pool party in a backyard real bad. Sally is Australian, and although Australia has never been on the top of my list of places to visit, recent years (and certain Australian roommates) have really increased my curiosity. While I know there are major urban centers in Australia, and I know Melbourne is considered the worlds most "livable" city with an amazing arts/design scene, when I think of Australia, the image I think of is suburban homes, pools, and the ocean. While i'm a decidedly 'urban' person, something about (older) suburbs has always piqued my interest. And as the banner of this blog shows, I find some real beauty in the lines and colors of older suburban homes.

This video does a great job of romanticizing that suburban backyard image. I'm going to start saving my pennies so I can show up on Sally's doorstep one day and ask if I can be invited to her next party.

13 April 2010

2010-04-13T07:57:00.000-07:00

I had to get get my bike fixed this morning. Even though I don't live in the area any longer, I still take my bike in to the bike repair shop on Bathurst Street between Bloor and Dupont, right across from Grapefruit Moon. This is the first area in Toronto I ever lived in, and while I dont know if i'd choose to live there again, I think that the Annex is--in a way--the quintessential Toronto neighbourhood. There's something uplifting about riding down its streets, especially in the spring and summer. The houses are so pretty. I wish all residential neighbourhoods in North America could be like it!

26 March 2010

2010-03-26T08:36:00.001-07:00

The Sandpit from Sam O'Hare on Vimeo.

19 March 2010

2010-03-19T20:49:00.001-07:00

i feel like i've been living in libraries these last two months.

...i guess its not so bad when they're as beautiful as this.

...or this.

neither of these, i should mention, are libraries of the school i attend.

rather, i hunt for the libraries i dont mind spending 11 hours in.

good public libraries that people want to be in are really, really great. and really essential to a great city.

(and ESPECIALLY essential to a graduate student)

18 March 2010

2010-03-18T12:08:00.000-07:00

I was walking home from my dentist's this afternoon along King St West. The route from his office (around Portland St.) to my home (across from Trinity Bellwoods Park) is a bit of an odd one. The stretch is mostly newer condominium developments, a mix of the standard high rises as well as some contemporary townhouses, and while Im not a big fan of this type of architecture, the juxtoposition of the monotomous green glass alongside some of the neighbourhoods older building stock always catches my eye.

Yes. The odd remains of distressed red brick here and there really stands out among the turquoise high rises. Sprinkled here and there are oddities: a mid-centry modern building or details of art deco. A schizophrenic strip/area certainly... but one I've grown to appreciate for what its worth.

Once I got to Strachan, I turned north to zig zag back to my apartment on Queen. One thing I love about the area between Queen and King around these parts is the odd mix of residential homes, car garages, warehouses... its a true "Toronto" neighbourhood where you're not quite sure how what got built where. And thats precisely what I love about it.

Im often so hesitant about being in planning school because my favorite neighborhoods are the ones that seem so completely "un-planned". And how can one really plan for areas like these? While i can battle that challenge on my own... here's a look at the beautiful confusion:

Seafoam boxes. This building reminds me of the school from Winnipeg I posted in the fall. Seafoam buildings get me so excited!!

I've posted this ghost building before. But the Minto development sign was blocking it so I thought I might want to document it again.

This is Toronto's Stanley Park. I always walk down the alley/street bordering it to get down to my friend Sara's house. I dont know how well you can tell, but the alley has the odd house facing the park. I like the idea of my next door neighbour being a rear garage.

Speaking of Sara's house... this is it! Totally unlike the condos behind it, beside it, and across the street.

...new townhouses trying to mimic Sara's.

...and finally I arrive home. View from the back!

23 February 2009

2010-02-23T12:27:00.000-08:00

Im the worst blogger in the world.

Im hoping to carry my camera around more to take some more photos.

I'm deleting my facebook account today. Seems like a little thing, but I'm hoping to take it as incentive to start doing more productive things.

In the meantime, here is probably my new favourite love song ever (the song is not new, but my finding it is):

26 December 2009

2009-12-26T10:22:00.000-08:00

this was taken the beginning of last summer.

1 December 2009

2009-12-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

Here are some images that i love:

Work of the very talented (and totally foxy) Sarah Brown:

From my friend Melinda's blog; a glimpse into her workspace:

And, finally, a watercolour by an artist, Tristram Lansdowne, whom I've never met but was linked on My Love for You is a Stamped of Horses. Amazing representation of what I love best, abandoned buildings:

11 November 2009

2009-11-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

Stolen from my friend Bowen's facebook page:

'i saw this in the carrot drawer, and i thought -- now if that isn't the spitting image of little edie beale, i don't know what is. i truly don't.'

7 november 2009

2009-11-07T16:53:00.000-08:00

Found this photo I took few weeks ago near Dundas West and Lansdowne. I love the color contrast.

wednesday october twenty eight two thousand nine

2009-10-28T12:42:00.000-07:00

I am having a really nice day.

Right now -- I can honestly say -- that im probably more happy with my life than i've ever been. I just had a crazy two weeks of school (three assignments and a mid-term) which drove me to crazy long full days of work and study, but now things have calmed down and im really letting myself enjoy the non-stressful elements of school, catching up with readings relating to the reason i entered this program, dialoguing with my classmates, getting to know them better.

The image above is a photograph by Bernd and Hilla Becher. I dont know much about them, but my friend Erin introduced me to them. From what I understand, their photos focussed on industrial buildings, often in a straight-on matter, and often with many seperate structures grouped together in a grid (like the image above), so that the viewer can view the intricacies and differences of each building that otherwise, without the comparison, seem very similar. What I find beautiful is the framing of the buildings; the presentation of industrial structures in a new, respectful, light. Thanks Erin for bringing this pair into my life!

I'm sitting right now in Saving GiGi at Bloor and Ossington. Its a cafe thats just been taken over by my oldest best friend, Amie. I'm so proud of her fearlessness in taking over this place and the changes she's already made and the improvements she's done. If you've never been there and are in the neighbourhood, I highly suggest dropping by. The coffee is delicious and the atmosphere is more friendly and inclusive than any other coffee shop i've experienced in Toronto. I'm not just saying this because the owner is like a sister, I'm saying this because its commendable how much of a community has been created within a single establishment.

Even though I've been busy with school, I've managed to get out of the house to see a few really great shows. The highlights were definitely The Raveonettes at the Phoenix and Broadcast at Lee's Palace. Both artists used visuals to accompany their performance. In the first case, the Raveonettes used really simple lighting (basic colours: white, red, blue, yellow) in rhythm and timing perfectly placed with the beats and pauses of their songs. Being at that show made me think that if this urban planning thing doesnt work out, I'd love to become a lighting designer.

The Broadcast show featured projections created by the artist responsible for all their artwork, Julian House. The first half of their set, I believe, was the music created particularly in conjunction with these images. its just been released on a 'mini album entitled Broadcast & Focus Group Investigate Witch Cults of the Radio Age. For the second half of their set, they played material from their past albums. Since I discovered Tender Buttons in 2005, Broadcast have become one of my absolute favorite bands and I've been enjoying the fall listening to their work. They manage to make really beautiful pop music -- at times experimental -- using really dynamic/bizarre/beautiful sounds.

Here's a couple videos. One from Broadcast; One from the Raveonettes. Neither capture the energy of the performance (nor provide stellar sound quality), but exemplify what I said to a certain degree I hope.

I hope everyone is having a nice fall. I need to go get ready for a pumpking carving party. Im feeling uninspired as to what creative pumpkin image i can conjure... ill probably just end up creating something that looks like a five year old created it.

saturday october seventeenth two thousand nine

2009-10-17T09:38:00.000-07:00

i'm up to my ears with schoolwork. i have three major assignments due next week and am in major panic mode. thank god, then, that part of my assignment requires me to visit this place on a saturday morning:

if you've never been to the brick works, go NOW. its so pukingly gorgeous in the autumn, and its a really nice 'getaway' in the middle of the city.

i cant type much, because i need to go make a 'formal presentation' about this place. i probably cant say things like 'its so pukingly gorgeous' though...

THATS WHY I HAVE A BLOG!

lolz,

anthony

sunday october eleventh two thousand nine part two

2009-10-11T18:58:00.001-07:00

like i mentioned, im in winnipeg this weekend for thanksgiving. ingela is with me and we spent the afternoon wandering around the city's chinatown and exchange district. while the photos below aren't leftover silhouettes on the side of existing, buildings (like the definition of 'ghost buildings' i gave a few posts ago), one could describe the whole remaining downtown as a collection of ghost buildings in another sense: so many old old buildings, unused and untouched. while its clearly depressing that this downtown is so barren, these artifacts of a once thriving mid-century canadian city are pretty awe-inspiring.

sunday october eleventh two thousand nine

2009-10-11T08:02:00.000-07:00

is anyone else obsessed with google maps streetview? i think i've spent way too many hours "wandering" the streets of toronto. the map below is of this amazing strip of warehouses im looking at for a school assignment. they're on niagara street where it curves east and crosses with tecumseh. the architecture is out of this world bananas (i've decided im going to talk about city buildings the same way rachel zoe talks about vintage couture)they remind me of the sort of warehouses you'd find in soho, and they're some of the very few warehousebuildings in toronto that have managed to keep their character, without being converted into condominiums.

check them out:

View Larger Map

im in winnipeg right now (AGAIN) for thanksgiving. im trying to get some work done but ingela is here and its hard when you just want to go out and eat at your old favourite noodle houses. ill post some photos and more details sometime soon...

sunday october fourth two thousand nine

2009-10-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

schoolwork is more fun when you do it with bridgette sullivan.

life is more fun when you're listening to this song:

wednesday september thirtieth thousand nine

2009-09-30T07:07:00.000-07:00

part of the reason i wanted to start this 'blog' was with the hope that it would encourage me to take more photos. i've never been much of a photo taker, and since misshapes, party blogs, social networking sites, etc... i've almost consciously avoided being that type who take photographs only to load them on the internet the next day (while secretly hoping, i admit, that someone ELSE has taken a photo of ME to make my new facebook profile picture). HOWEVER, through the years, i've also probably passed up on taking some photos of some pretty inspiring and exciting things.

so... i've started carrying a digital hand-me-down camera in my back pack so that when i see something i like i can capture it, share it on here, and continue that whole 'documenting my life thing' so i can remember i exist. its not a fancy camera. nor am i as talented as my many photographer/artist friends, but its a start.

anyhow. i was in winnipeg last weekend. i've always paid attention to winnipeg's differences to other cities, but since beginning my urban planning degree, i think i was extra attentive this visit. i had never noticed just how much of winnipeg's architecture consists of 50s and 60s buildings like the school below. but more interesting, how they look like they havent been touched. i bet toronto has lots of these too, but i imagine they're more spread out towards the outskirts or suburbs and not visible in the downtown i live in. as i was driving through the city's north end i noticed this school and it just blew my mind. i love the font on the signage and that amazing color.

another highlight of my time in winnipeg was being able to go to my cousin piper's third birthday party. pipers the daughter of my first cousin mika -- more like a sister -- so piper seems more of a niece than a cousin to me. watching her grow up is one of the only things i really miss about winnipeg (along with the rest of my family). anyhow i was invited over for pizza and cake... but when i arrived i learned it was GONDOLA pizza and CUPcakes. non-winnipeggers dont know what gondola pizza is, but basically its the most greasy, crispy, flat crust pizza that hasnt changed its recipe or logo since the time that building up above was probably built. i hadnt had it in years and it was a nice surprise. i was in food heaven. look below:

arriving back in winnipeg, i had to complete my first assignment for school which consisted of me running around the city trying to figure out what the fuck a 'figure-ground diagram' was and learn how to make a 'plan map' to scale. dont know what im talking about? me neither. but i bought pencil crayons. anyhow, in one of my many excursions to shoppers drug mart, i rode by this lot on king st. west just east of strachan. that outline and discolouration of brick on the side of that building is from another building that once stood beside it. i read in spacing magazine a few issues ago that these leftovers are called "ghostbuildings." this is what this blog is named after. i love the idea of this visual remnant of what once was built form, and that -- for whatever reason -- now doesnt exist. ghostbuildings are a sort of eerie and sad reminder of what has been lost, but at the same time, an exciting sign of the everchanging city landscape.

do i sound like a grad student yet?

monday september twenty first two thousand nine

2009-09-21T20:42:00.000-07:00

school has already begun to consume me. i go between feeling completely in over my head and completely elated. i dont know if i'll do well or not; i feel like up till now i've been trained and educated in a completely different world. all i know is i love nothing more than discussing cities with my new classmates and not having to face actors and models on a daily basis.

unrelated, here a few songs for fall:

tuesday september fifteenth two thousand nine

2009-09-15T19:36:00.000-07:00

watch this whole video. watch it fullscreen. beautiful colors.

I've Got You and You've Got Me - New Buffalo Remixed by Broken Social Scene from Karen Abad ♥s Dinosaurs. on Vimeo.

sunday september thirteenth two thousand nine

2009-09-13T19:50:00.000-07:00

so yesterday i actually did a real person thing. i had a bunch of friends over and made them all a big fat jewish brunch. im not actually too certain how jewish it was but there was lox & bagels involved so we'll just say it was. i think everyone -- myself included -- was pretty surprised i managed to pull a brunch of this caliber off. pat self on back.

i served: cheese pie (family recipe), lox from st. lawrence market and montreal style bagels from kensington bakery, challah and cinnamon loaf from the harbord bakery, a big mediterranean-y salad (pretty basic), a fruit salad, and scra

mbled eggs. LOOK!:

overall, it felt pretty nice to start off my weekend being so

productive... and to treat my very capable and talented friends who always host me to nice parties to a nice event of my own.

it was also nice to do something my last weekend as a free man. tomorrow, my friends, i start grad school. AAAHHHH! im horrified, but excited. wish me luck!

anthony

thursday september tenth two thousand nine

2009-09-10T15:20:00.001-07:00

classmate: "so, how did a THEATRE STUDENT get into the program?"

me: "um, i don't know. we'll see how it goes!"

sunday september sixth two thousand nine

2009-09-06T13:22:00.001-07:00

so right now i am in montreal. i flew here friday, instead of flying back to toronto to end my western canada adventure. i decided i should have a fun weekend before i become a student again and to hang out with ingela who'd be here for a wedding. and i guess to see becky and walter. or whatever.

its actually been a lower key weekend than i initially thought it would be, but i dont mind. i've had a fun few days 'bixie-ing' around. for those who dont know, 'bixie' is the new city-wide bike rental system that montreal has just adopted. like similar systems in a lot of european cities there are tons of little stations all over the city where you just swipe your credit card, grab a bike, ride around, and drop it off at any other location. its amazing for visitors, and i think it would be great to have in your hometown if ever your own bike has a flat tire or is in the shop or something.

when im an urban planner im totally going to insist on installing 'bixie' in whatever city im working for.

anyhow, enough about 'bixie'. i'd rather talk about BABY. i got to meet my nephew for the first time while i was in manitoba last week. there's not much to type about except for the fact that this little baby (who many of my friends have noted looks like a little old man) certainly won me over. i was a bit cynical going in to this whole 'hanging out with BABY' business... but this little bastard is so happy and cute and FAT that i couldnt resist holding him and taking tons of photos on photobooth. so im just going to post them here and call it a day. so i present to you, ilyah shalom arnon, also known as, BABY:

wednesday september second two thousand nine

2009-09-02T16:07:00.000-07:00

i was thinking the other day how i have no real journal or record of my daily life. because i dont have a personal journal and i dont take any photos, i really have no way of recording or archiving anything i've done so far this mediocre life of mine.

seeing as im on the internet 24 hours a day, i thought i may as well try out a blog. to basically keep my friends and family all over the world in 'the loop' of what im doing. and maybe it'll encourage me to take more photos. even if no one reads it, i can look back at it and remember what i've been up to.

i promise i wont pour my feelings out. i think its kind of creepy to do that, because god knows who's reading this thing. its also pretty self-indulgent to do that, in my opinion. so if anyone finds me doing that, just tell me to fuck off, ok?

also, i never want to seem like that fucking julie chick from 'julie & julia'. fuck me if i ever turn out like that.

ok... im going to go finish this caesar my dad made for me (im at the lake!) but i can guarantee either later tonight or maybe tomorrow i will be posting my adventures with BABY. then after i've got that out of my system, i will never mention babies or animals on this blog again. EVER.

anthony

p.s. that polaroid at the top was taken by katherine mcfarlane. i love it. i've always loved it. when im back in toronto im going to ask her permission to use it and maybe even to photoshop the name of the blog on the bottom. hopefully she obliges. if not ill take it down and it'll look a lot uglier.