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Gooderham Building

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Landmark
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Gooderham Building (Canada)

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The Gooderham Building, popularly known as Toronto's 'Flatiron Building', is a historic landmark located in the St. Lawrence neighborhood. Completed in 1892, it was commissioned by George Gooderham, president of the Gooderham & Worts Distillery, to serve as the company's head office. Situated at the acute intersection of Front Street and Wellington Street, its distinctive wedge shape was dictated by the city's street grid. Built with bustling red brick in the Romanesque and Gothic Revival styles, it remains one of the finest examples of late Victorian architecture in Canada. The building is famous for the large trompe-l'œil mural on its western facade, created by artist Derek Besant, which depicts a mirror image of the Perkins Building across the street. Interestingly, it predates the more famous Flatiron Building in New York City by ten years. Today, it stands as a designated heritage site, maintaining its prominence as a focal point of Toronto's historic district amidst the surrounding modern skyscrapers.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

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Avg °C-3-31611182222181251
Rain mm544953717371755966746663

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Gooderham Building is an iconic flatiron building in Toronto that can be viewed from the outside. The interior is an office building not open to the public.
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Typical hours
The exterior is accessible at any time as it is a public building. No visiting hours for the interior since entry is not allowed.
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Photography
Photography from outside is allowed anytime - the best view is at the corner of Front and Wellington Streets. Watch out for traffic while taking photos.
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Time needed
Allow about 10 to 15 minutes for a photo stop. The building is quick to see, but the surrounding architecture invites a longer walk.
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Combine with
Combine your visit with the nearby St. Lawrence Market or the Distillery District. The CN Tower is also not far away.
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Getting there
The building is in the heart of Toronto at Front and Wellington streets. Easily reachable on foot, by subway (Union station), or by car.
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Insider tip
Visit the building early morning or late evening for best light and fewer crowds. Cross the street to the opposite side for the classic flatiron building shot.

Geography

Coordinates
43.64890, -79.37080

Facts

  • Completed in 1892, designed by David Roberts Jr.
  • Built for a cost of $18,000 at the time.
  • It predates the New York Flatiron Building by a decade.
  • The iconic mural on the back was added in 1980.
  • The building features five stories and a basement.
  • Designated as a National Historic Site of Canada.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Distillery District, TorontoDistillery District, Toronto1 km · NExplore →
Toronto City HallToronto City Hall1 km · SExplore →
Toronto Financial DistrictToronto Financial District3 km · SExplore →
Casa Loma (History)Casa Loma (History)4 km · SExplore →
Ontario Science CentreOntario Science Centre5 km · NExplore →
Richmond HillRichmond Hill9 km · SEExplore →
MarkhamMarkham12 km · NExplore →
NewmarketNewmarket13 km · SEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Gooderham Building (8)

Van Gogh Exhibit🏛 museum

Van Gogh Exhibit is an immersive art exhibition featuring works of Vincent van Gogh.

'1871' Berkeley Church Event Venue🎭 culture

The '1871' Berkeley Church Event Venue is a former church from 1871 used as an event venue in Building.

Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre🏛 museum

Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre is an arts centre in the Cabbagetown neighborhood of Building.

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Museum of Illusions🏛 museum

The Museum of Illusions is an interactive museum of optical illusions in Building.

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Sugar Beach🌳 park

A park with an artificial sandy beach and pink umbrellas in Building.

Sherbourne Common🌳 park

A park with water features in Building.

Sculpture Gardens🌳 park

A park with outdoor sculptures in Building.

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts🎭 culture

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts is a theatre in gooderham-building-landmarks-v2, known for hosting performing arts events.

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Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is another name for the building?
It is widely known as Toronto's 'Flatiron Building'.
Where is the Gooderham Building located?
It is located at the intersection of Wellington and Front Streets.
What can be seen on the back of the building?
There is a famous trompe-l'oeil mural on its rear facade.
Is it older than the Flatiron Building in New York?
Yes, it was completed in 1892, ten years before the New York one.
What was the building originally used for?
It served as the office for the Gooderham & Worts distillery.
Gooderham Building: where is it located?
Gooderham Building is located in Canada.
Gooderham Building: what is there to see?
Highlights include Van Gogh Exhibit, '1871' Berkeley Church Event Venue, Cabbagetown Community Arts Centre.
Gooderham Building: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Gooderham Building: why is it worth visiting?
The Gooderham Building, popularly known as Toronto's 'Flatiron Building', is a historic landmark located in the St.
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