Flatiron Building (Toronto)

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Image courtesy of www.aviewoncities.com

Note: There are several buildings referred to as the Flatiron Building.

The red brick Flatiron Building in Toronto, Ontario, Canada is located on the eastern edge of the city's financial district (east of Yonge Street), on the north side of the Front Street (St. Lawrence) neighbourhood wedged between Front Street and Wellington Street, where they join up to form a triangular intersection. Although a prominent landmark both for its colour and shape, it is only five stories high.

It was built in 1892, making it the first flatiron building. The previous building was shorter but in the same shape and the area was called the Coffin Block. It was built by architect David Roberts, Jr. and originally cost $18,000 to construct for distiller George Gooderham, son of the founder William Gooderham. It was the office of the Gooderham & Worts distillery until 1952 and sold by the Gooderham Estate in 1957.

It closely resembles Toronto's Distillery District.

It is well-known both for its narrow wedge shape, and for the mural on its back wall, which uses a trompe l'oeil effect to not only make the wall appear to have more windows than it does, but to also give it a more mobile effect by having its edges 'fluttering' away where they are not 'tacked' down. The mural, called Trompe.d'oille, was created by renowned Canadian artist Derek Besant. The mural is a picture of the Perkins Building, which is located directly across the street. Saved by David and Thomas Walsh, restoration took place in 1998 by the owners Michael and Anne Tippin. The building was declared a historic site in 1975 and is now managed and owned by Woodcliffe Corporation.

In addition to the fine architecture, there is a large patio, and a small pub in the basement. The building is open to view from Monday to Fridays at 9am to 5pm.

The Flatiron Building appeared in the film 'Bruiser' by George Romero.