St. Lawrence in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Gooderham “Flatiron” Building
1892
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
1. Gooderham “Flatiron” Building Marker
This Toronto landmark was built for George Gooderham, the president of Gooderham and Worts - the largest liquor distillery in Canada and one of Toronto's biggest employers.
Front Street to your left once followed the historic shoreline of Lake Ontario. Here, where it met Wellington and Church Streets, it created an unusual triangular property. In 1891, Gooderham hired architect David Roberts to design an office building for the distillery and his own personal use there.
The five-storey Gooderham Building was built using red brick and Credit Valley stone in the Gothic Revival style. Gooderham's office was at the top of the semi-circular corner tower with a commanding view of the neighbourhood.
The Gooderham Building - known locally as the Flatiron because it resembles the famous skyscraper in New York - was renovated in 1976. Today, it is one of Toronto's best known structures.
Designated Under the Ontario Heritage Act, 1977
Erected 2019 by Heritage Toronto.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1892.
Location. 43° 38.913′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto and on the Golden Horseshoe. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 71 Front Street East (within shouting distance of this marker); 49 Front Street East (within shouting distance of this marker); Dixon Block (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Perkins Block (about 120 meters away); Toronto Sculpture Garden (about 150 meters away); Canada’s First Electric Telegraph / Premier Télégraphe Électrique Canadien (about 150 meters away); Mary Ann Shadd Cary (about 180 meters away); St. James' Cathedral (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
2. Gooderham “Flatiron” Building Marker
The Gooderham Building is under scaffolding in the background
Photographed by Tim Boyd, April 12, 2025
3. Gooderham “Flatiron” Building marker photos and captions detail (left side)
courtesy City of Toronto Archives
4. Gooderham “Flatiron” Building marker photo and caption detail (right side)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 4, 2021
5. Gooderham “Flatiron” Building, 2021
Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 272 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 13, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
