Approaching the corner of Atlantic Ave & Liberty St.
South Side of Liberty
25 Liberty St.
The building between Jefferson Ave. and Atlantic Ave. was built in 1901 by G.M. Miller for his Ontario Wind, Engine and Pump company. Wind power was used to pump water and grind farm animal feed at this location. It's now a work / live artist studio space.
Southeast Corner
Atlantic & Liberty
The Sunday farmer's market called "My Market Liberty Village" takes place in the parking lot from 9 am to 2pm every Sunday from the end of May to the end of October. Farmers from around Ontario’s Greenbelt bring fresh local Ontario produce to the area and local restaurants cook up specials on-site using the fresh produce.
Looking north on Atlantic Ave.
On the west side (98 Atlantic Ave.): The former Canadian Bank of Commerce Book Vaults (built in 1912) has a very interesting façade. It's now used by the City of Toronto restoration department.
On the east side at King St: This is the former site of Barrymore Furniture, which relocated to Caledonia Ave. & Dufferin about five years ago.
Northwest Corner
Artscape: 60 Atlantic Ave
Artscape Liberty Village is a very important part of the Liberty Village history. In 1991, Artscape opened 44 low cost artist studios and set up their head office here. Artscape provided artist support and reinforced and legitimized the underground artists that were working in Liberty.
Artscape is a not-for-profit, urban development organization that revitalizes buildings, neighbourhoods, and cities through the arts. Artscape projects provide affordable space for creativity while generating positive cultural, economic, social, and environmental impact.
Artists generally moved to Liberty Village in the mid 1990’s when industry moved out. The spaces offered inexpensive rent, because they were in a grimy industrial area cut off from the better parts of the city.
However, the buildings boasted beautiful large windows, which are perfect for artistic work spaces. Many photographers settled here because the high ceilings were perfect for their work.
American-Canadian journalist and author, Jane Jacobs believed that artists provide the catalyst for community building and neighbourhood revitalization. She was correct, as Artscape was pivotal in the rebirth of this community by offering affordable spaces so artists weren't forced out due to inflated rent.
After 21 years, Artscape Liberty Village closed its doors in November 2012. Artscape continues to provide affordable artist studio space in Toronto, including in the Distillery District and Wychwood Barns. 60 Atlantic Avenue has since been renovated by Quadrangle Architects.
The Artistic Horn on the Roof
The piece is entitled “Can you see what I hear” by Toronto artist Mitch Fenton. It was commissioned by Artscape as a piece of public art when Artscape Liberty Village opened in 1991. The 60 Atlantic building was originally a winery for St. David’s Wine Growers.
Northeast Corner
The John Brunswick Building: 99 Atlantic Ave.
The building was built in 1890 of post and beam construction. In 1905, the Brunswick Balke Collender Company bought the building and began manufacturing billiard tables, cues, balls and billiards accessories.
In 1910, the company bought Canada's oldest and largest manufacturer of billiard tables, the Samuel May Company. In 1959, the company moved its operations to Mississauga and the building was updated in the late 1980's for office use.
At the north end of the Brunswick Building was The Academy of Spherical Arts. It opened in 1991, but because the building was not zoned for restaurant use, the owner instead applied for a teaching facility permit, which was a permitted use; hence the name.
A small amount of pool instruction was offered to legitimize the food and drink being served. It was a unique and upscale 20,000 square foot billiards and dining establishment. The zoning changed in later years making it legal for restaurant use. The Academy of Spherical Arts closed in 2012.
