Symes at one point was an active transfer station in Toronto's waste management scheme, but now it sits unused, save for storage of waste and recycling bins. And random junk that for some reason found its way there.
Location | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Junction | ||||||
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada) | ||||||
Built :: Closed | Status | Difficulty | ||||
1933 :: 1996 | Formerly Abandoned | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ | ||||
Hazards Risk | Security Risk | AUE Rating | ||||
★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | ★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆ | ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ | ||||
Hazard Observations | Security Observations | |||||
PCBs | None Specified |
Toronto Works appears to store surplus goods inside, so they must come by on occasion, but generally there isn't anyone around on the property. The is a shack nearby that might have someone living in it, so be aware of this if you go to visit.
Inside is where the real hazards are. The power room at the one end contains PCB's (this is marked), there is asbestos in the building due to it's age, and the pigeons that have moved in have also brought their toxic droppings with them. There is also rust around the building, and in the area with the crane are large garbage pits with no way out of them. So don't go falling into them.
The building is interesting, due to the older architecture and machinery, and is worth a visit if you really want to see a random location. It's very much a sleeper location on the UE radar, which isn't a bad thing, as Symes still feels very much like it could have closed down yesterday.
MARCH 21, 2019 UPDATE
A little slow on the draw on this one... Symes hasn't been abandoned since early 2018, when Junction Brewing moved into the property and redeveloped it as their brewery and event space, complete with a public pub. Because the property is historic, they also ensured to preserve many aspects of it's former life, including the Art Deco exteriors and finishes. It's worth a visit if you want to see the fusion between old and new tastefully done.