Roundhouse Park in Toronto. Compare the scales of different centuries. #presinpink

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Up and up in Toronto. #presinpink

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Church Turned Condos in Toronto

Large churches struggle to find alternative uses once they no longer serve as houses of worship. Whether located in a small town or a large city, too many churches sit empty and abandoned. Once in a while you’ll come across a success story. This church in Toronto has been converted into condos. Take a look at the photos and let me know what you think.

The Victoria Presbyterian Church converted to condos.

Only being able to see these from the outside you can see that floors have been added. The balconies are clear glass. The original windows have been removed, but the fenestration remains.

Another view of the church, now condos.

A bit about the Victoria Lofts:

Converted from a turn-of-the-century church into 38 gorgeous units, this building is beautiful, rooted in history, and ideally located.  Boasting soaring ceilings and gorgeous architecture including a dramatic sloping roof, a copper-trimmed steeple, romanesque arches and curved brick columns, suites range from 600 to 1800 square feet over one or two storeys.  Originally the West Toronto Presbyterian Church, this stunning building has been a vital part of the Junction neighbourhood since 1885, when it first opened its doors.  Renamed the Victoria Presbyterian Church to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897, this structure is one of several historic buildings in the area.  Located near the West Toronto Rail Path, a multi-use 4km path that links several Toronto neighbourhoods, the Junction is well-connected and a haven for any one seeking to reduce their carbon-footprint.  Spend an afternoon checking out the Junction Arts Festival, a neighbourhood display of music, dance and visual art, or take a fifteen-minute stroll south to High Park.

Apparently, converting churches into lofts is a thing in Toronto. Check out this post and this post. Do you want to live in a church? What do you think? A good idea? I’d like to see the inside. But, from the outside it looks pretty good. The windows would be better intact, but perhaps that wouldn’t work for the residences. In that case, the structure remains as a landmark in the neighborhood and it is legible.

Do you have a church in your town that could serve as a residence?

With Your Coffee (Monday Edition)

Set your sights high! This is the CN Tower in Toronto. I have many more Toronto photos to share this week. 

Good Monday morning, everyone! Hope you had a lovely weekend. Anything fun? It was a fairly quiet weekend around Vermont. Having just finished week two of a new job, I am still catching up on sleep! Now I am working as a Preservation Planner for VHB, an engineering + environmental firm. {My views remain my own on PiP.} It’s great! But, of course, all new jobs are exhausting in a good way. Week Three, here we go! What’s new in your world? Here are a few links from around the internet to give you inspiration for the week. The list begins with a few photos on Twitter, something easy. It’s going to be a good one! Coffee cheers, friends.

• If you went to Mary Washington and studied Historic Preservation, you know and love Professor Gary Stanton. He’s retiring after this semester. Send him some love! We’ll all miss his wisdom, friendship, and fiddle playing.

• Manhattan, from above.  Side note: I love @historyepics on Twitter, but they never include the source of the photo and it drives me crazy. Anyone else?

• Benches built on hills. Brilliant! 

• Dreaming of summer? Or of a Friday? Join the UVM Historic Preservation Alumni Association on a Preservation + Wine tour. Friday June 19, 2015.

• We’re talking cars, but… finally, some recognition that millenials aren’t the only people in the world, shaping it. And, not all millenials are the same, anyway! 

• Listen to: why Pioneer Girl (by Laura Ingalls Wilder) is such a success.

• Instagram recommendation of the week: @timhagley for beautiful midwestern shots.

• And @presinpink is public on instagram. Meaning, you don’t have to sign up to see the photos.

Talk to you soon!

Doors, Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, Montreal, QC. #presinpink

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The Oasis Diner became El Cortijo in Burlington. It’s preserved, delicious, and the front entrance remains. #presinpink #ihavethisthingwithfloors

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Layers and stories of Montreal. #presinpink

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With Your Coffee

Good weekend morning, everyone! How was your week? It felt like springtime here in Burlington. Sunsets cast a beautiful glow over the city (see that photo – it’s taken at Perkins Pier).  Here are some links to enjoy with your Sunday morning coffee. Have anything good to share? I hope you are having a lovely weekend. What’s going on in your world?

• Look at this beautiful Queens bungalow. It can change owners, but nothing else. Would you want it? 

• Is your neighborhood changing streetlights to LEDs? Aren’t they way too bright in a bluish short of way? 

• Japan is building a train that goes 366mph! How? Magnetically levitating! 

• Are you among most of us who rely way too much on our cars and spend too much on cars? 

• Street furniture shaped like tulips! Every city should have them! 

• Housing takes on all forms these days. What about shipping container homes? 

• America’s Public Lands at night. Makes me want to travel and camp all summer. 

• Monday April 20th is the Boston Marathon. Will you be watching? 

• Need another Instagram account to follow? Have you seen Preservation Fail (@preservationfail). Pointing “fails” that will make you cry because of neglect or cringe because of the carelessness. Excellent conversation fodder. 

Enjoy! Coffee cheers.

Hope you’re not stuck under traffic lights today. Happy weekend! #presinpink

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Chittenden County Courthouse, VT. #presinpink #ihavethisthing withdoors

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