The Last Stand

After seeing @lynne__1 post on Instagram (see link below), the juxtaposition of New World Laundry when viewed across the road from St. James Cemetery TTC’s bus stop has inspired me to create this post.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9kh26xAWw_

Toronto is such a face-paced city. It is always developing and building (at the same pace as people’s driving!), hence occasionally creating these extreme contrasts between old and new.

This late Victorian house once belonged to Lucio Casaccio (see below old photo from Toronto Archives Facebook), who ran a tailoring business in Cabbagetown for over half a century.

Refusing to sell, the developers went ahead and tore down all the buildings surrounding his house, including 598 Parliament Street, which was a semi-detached house connected to Casaccio’s house.

With new Y-shaped condo towering the old house, Casaccio did not give up and launched a legal battle against the developers for violating its “air right” during the construction.

The Casaccio family eventually sold their business. Today, it is home to Toronto’s coolest laundromat.

For those of you that haven’t followed yet, please check out @lynne__1 it is a lovely account for old architecture enthusiasts. Thanks again for the inspiration.

600 Parliament Street, Cabbagetown