Queens Quay's history: Canada Malting Co. Silos

This week, Toronto's going to celebrate its 175th anniversary. Here at Queens Quay Life, we thought it'd be a good idea to look back at some of the landmarks in the area and give you a bit of history. Today, the Canada Malting Co. Silos.

The silos were built in 1928 and 120 metres high. It influenced European industrial architects. They've been abandoned since the 1980s.

Says a city of Toronto site.

The original silo component contains 15 grain storage bins clustered in three rows and stands 120 feet high. The 1944 silo extension contains 14 bins arranged in two rows and stands 150 feet high.

Some related blog posts here and here. And an excerpt from BlogTO.

The Canada Malting Co. silos and plant facilities at the foot of Bathurst Street is the most visible reminder of Toronto's past waterfront industrial heritage. Listed on Toronto's inventory of historic properties since 1973, it is the most intact remnant of the original silo complexes that took advantage of the harbour.

From Infiltration.org, a nice recap about the silos. It's an interesting inside look.

Inside the tower you will find the shaft for an old cage-like elevator. The other half of the shaft is inhabited by a wacky metal spiral staircase — hop on and start climbing. If heights bother you, be warned that this staircase ascends the entire length of the shaft, probably 10 or more storeys. Only a single iron handrail provides protection. If you get tired or dizzy from going in circles (I've had eerie dreams of climbing these stairs), there are doorways at every floor where you can get off and explore some very cool rooms and derelict machinery. Keep in mind that these rooms are the areas where you may encounter gaping holes in the floor. There are many great views of the city skyline all the way up, too.

Read more here.

There have been proposals that it would be a music hall of fame or a museum showcasing the city's history.

Here's a city web site that mentions the Silos as the potential museum site.