One Saturday afternoon a couple weeks ago, I joined a walking tour, German Walk Toronto, which highlighted some of the German connections in Toronto.
It was a two hour walk starting at Berczy Park in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood at Front and Church. After a brief introduction to the tour and some information about Berczy and the park, we walked through Brookfield Place to the TD Centre buildings on King Street.
Brookfield Place
We were told the German connection for the TD Centre – the architect, Mies van der Rohe, who designed this building plus others in New York and Chicago, is from Germany.
The walk continued to City Hall. We explored the plaza, the roof top garden, and were given some bits of information about City Hall. The German connection here, we were told, is that the reflecting pond contained a piece of the Berlin Wall.
City Hall
Nathan Philips Square
We had a final two stops – the Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre and 401 Richmond. When the group made its way to the performing arts centre we stood on the strip in the middle of University Avenue. We stood in front I the statue of Adam Beck who was the German connection at this spot.
Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre
Adam Beck Statue, University Ave. and Queen St.
The 401 Richmond’s connection is the Zeidler family who owns this building plus several others in Toronto. This building houses several arts and culture companies including galleries, music studios, and magazines.
It was a fun walk to do despite the cooler weather and rain. I learned lots both new information and stuff I knew.
