The
R C Harris Filtration Plant takes water from Lake Ontario and processes potable water for Toronto.
The building was named for Rowland Caldwell Harris, Commissioner of Works for the Toronto 1912-1945.
It was built from 1932-1941 and the
original plant and additions in the 1950s to increase the capacity were designed by and the construction was supervised by the consulting engineering firms of H G Acres Limited and Gore and Storrie Limited.
For a water filtration plant, it has some very nice decoration including this 'WTW' monogram.
Hi David, great photos. I must say that R C Harris Filtration Plant is one of the places I like a lot. I don't know why but the architecture has been always agreeable to me. I'm proud that Toronto has building like this one.
ReplyDeleteGood luck,
Julie
Thanks Julie
ReplyDeleteI didn't know what to expect when I read the name but I'm glad I made the detour to have a look. It is a fantastic place.
David
stunning, I love the cream brickwork
ReplyDeleteStunning indeed
ReplyDeleteImagine: in those days they made filtration plants to look like wonderful public buildings worth visiting. Now they make public buildings to look like filtration plants.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly took pride it all types of buildings back then.
ReplyDeleteThe interior of this building is stunning too. Toronto hosts an annual public Doors Open program and this is often on the tour.
ReplyDeleteThanks Andy. I was lucky enough to view The Carlu at Toronto Open Doors 2009 but didn't make it inside the R C Harris Filtration Plant. I hope the 2010 version was sucessful (http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen/).
ReplyDeleteMelbourne has it's own Open House weekend on 24th & 25th July 2010 and I'm looking forward to it. (http://melbourneopenhouse.org/)
I believe the monogram is actually TWW for Toronto Water Works.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lawrence, that makes a lot of sense.
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