Queen's Quay Terminal

Photo Source - Wikimedia Commons

Photo by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted June, 2011

Plaque coordinates: 43.63940 -79.38079

Here, in the ground level hallway of Queen's Quay Terminal, are 11 historical panels spaced out along the walls. Each can be seen below with photos and transcriptions by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted June, 2011.

The Engine Room for the Ice Plant circa 1937

This view of the "heart" of the Terminal Warehouse Cold Storage Plant illustrates just one small corner of the engine room and ice making plant. Staffed by highly trained technical experts, researching all revolutionary developments in modern technology, the refrigeration equipment of the Terminal Warehouse stood second to none on the Continent.

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cold storage

Typical Office Suites of the Terminal Warehouse circa 1937

The wide array of services provided at the Terminal Warehouse building were complimented by deluxe office suites, providing a dignified address within easy reach of the financial district, a tradition which continues to this day.

Laboratory facilities circa 1937

Some of the world's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers sought out the Terminal Warehouse building for its state-of-the-art sprinkler and ventilation systems - a virtual guarantee against fire damages. The laboratories and light manufacturing rooms were adaptable to almost any type of work.

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pharmaceutical manufacturers

Truck Deliveries Under Cover circa 1937

The Terminal Warehouse building was able to guarantee the safety of shippers' orders in all kinds of weather with enough sheltered loading bays to accommodate up to one hundred trucks at a time.

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loading bay

The Special Guarding of Bonded Merchandise circa 1937

One of the many highly prized facilities deep within the walls of the Terminal Warehouse building was the specially guarded section for bonded goods, such as tea and tobacco. This section was personally protected by the Minister of Customs & Excise and Government agents.

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bonded goods

Processing and Manufacturing Plants circa 1937

On-site manufacturing was a very attractive and specialized service available to companies contemplating Canadian production and distribution. By the mid-thirties, there were more American and British companies manufacturing in Toronto than any other Canadian city. Terminal Warehouse was home to several local operations, including the Canadian Doughnut Company Ltd. (pictured).

View from the roof of the Toronto Harbour Commission building
circa 1947

In its early days, Terminal Warehouse was much more than a storage facility. It also housed small manufacturing units as well as offices for prominent Canadian companies, such as Elizabeth Arden cosmetics. The warehouse was also home to Black & Decker's repair department and stock room.

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Elizabeth Arden
Black & Decker

Cold Storage Facilities for Meat Products 1950

Inside the Terminal Warehouse cold storage section, automatic recording thermometers ensured that different products could be kept as cold as necessary, from mildly cool to almost frozen. This area was also monitored for the correct humidity to preserve fresh produce and meat in an ideal environment.

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cold storage

Display of Water Pumps of the fireboat William Lyon Mackenzie
circa 1965

The importance of Terminal Warehouse as a marine terminal waned in the 1960s, when container shipping headed to the new, eastern port of Toronto. Instead, the building was occupied with a mix of storage, manufacturing, sales and showrooms, shared by sugar refinery, meat packing, frozen food, liquor, cosmetic, interior design, publishing and department store enterprises.

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container shipping
port of Toronto

Development of Harbourfront circa 1975

The Canadian Government created the Harbourfront Corporation in 1972, and in 1975 purchased the Terminal Warehouse property as part of its plan to develop a 37 ha park along Toronto's central waterfront. The neighbouring Direct Winters Building, built by early owners of Terminal Warehouse, was the main complex for Harbourfront's recreational activities.

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Harbourfront

The Modern Face of Queen's Quay Terminal 2001

Today, Queen's Quay Terminal houses some of the most luxurious condominiums in the country. It also boasts a selection of specialized shops and restaurants on the first floor, while the upper levels are home to some of Canada's most prestigious companies. Queen's Quay Terminal will be at the heart of future waterfront redevelopment and will continue to serve Toronto's thriving downtown for years to come.

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Queen's Quay Terminal

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