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| 'Cai Yuan pano 4' by Craig Jenkins; used with permission. View additional fire photos by Jenkins here. |
Work crews are now busy demolishing the structure, which housed the Cai Yuan supermarket and numerous residents above it. It’s unclear whether the building can be saved. We’ll see!
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| Work crews assessing the damage and and beginning demolition. |
This may eventually lead to a change in the tenor and character of the East Chinatown neighbourhood. I’m not going to pretend that it was a ‘pretty’ building; nevertheless the structure has anchored that corner for a century and is accordingly part of the fabric of the area. It has seen many uses and will be missed.
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| In 1914 the building was used by Fred Jacobs, chemist (pharmacist). Image courtesy City of Toronto Archives. (h/t: @wherethestory) |
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| A postcard view looking south on Broadview circa 1911. Image via Chuckman's collection |
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| Entry for Jacobs at 361 Broadview in the 1906 Might's City Directory for Toronto |
I’ve passed by this building countless times in the past couple of years, en route to my local climbing gym. While it may not be a designated heritage property, it has become a familiar mental landmark for me. I hope the former tenants are able to find a new place to live.
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| An oft-busy supermarket in Toronto’s east Chinatown Image courtesy Simon Fraser University |
While East Chinatown may appear somewhat ragged and run-down to the outside observer, it is really like a charming village. The atmosphere is laid-back and unassuming, a contrast to the bustle of the downtown core.
I hope that whatever takes shape on the intersection stays true to the neighbourhood — please, no stucco or glass monstrosities!