Visiting 111 Queen Street East, Toronto, Ontario: a very tastefully restored property

This tasteful property in Toronto, Ontario, is a brick and beam, office/retail building, dating from the 1850s, but which has recently undergone careful restoration.

In fact, 'restored' is probably too neutral a word to describe the painstakingly crafted input which this property has received. 'Elevated metamorphosis' would better express it. It is also a lesson in the way some of Toronto's districts have been transformed in character.

The frontage of this attractive building reminds me of the kind of properties one finds in well-established, Dutch towns, where prosperous merchants' houses line clean and compact streets, with buildings which are bright and accessible.

The building is classified as a mid-rise loft property. In the 19th century, this structure served as a factory.

What started life with a somewhat prosaic — if worthy — function would now not look out of place as a backdrop for the counsels of chancery: as an embassy for a major power.

Today, limousines and taxis deliver not plenipotentiaries but diners, and other visitors. The George Restaurant (George on Queen) is a quality business, which, among various others, is now based at 111 Queen Street East. The restaurant, which can receive up to 200 diners, includes a very private, inner courtyard. It also has some very tasteful wrought iron working in the windows, in Art Nouveau design, which give an understated sense of screen privacy for guests. Other features of the restaurant include high quality wood flooring and some antique doors.

Also worth seeing

Also in the Downtown area of Queen Street, Toronto , are a number of outstanding buildings (marked E. or W.); these include Old City Hall (W); the United Metropolitan Cathedral (E), Osgoode Hall (W); Campbell House ; the internationally renowned Eaton Centre (W), attracts a very large numbers of shoppers.

Further afield at 1444 Queen Street East, is the Ashbridge Estate (distance: 4.4 kilometres).

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How to get there: Air Canada, flies to Toronto Pearson Airport, with wide North American and other connections, from where car rental is available. However, visitors to Downtown Toronto will find many sights to be easily walkable. Some facilities may be withdrawn without notice. For up to date information, please check with the airline or your travel agent. For any special border crossing arrangements which may apply to citizens of certain nationalities, please refer to appropriate consular sources.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.