Before the storm.

We were there to watch the band, but the sky stole the show.

True blue.

Well, I confess that the photos of this Thursday’s Doors are mostly windows. But they have fake shutters that look like doors, so…

 

In Waterloo today, I took a few minutes to wander past the Seagram Lofts.

These buildings, part of the former Seagram’s Distillery, housed storage facilities for whiskey barrels starting in the early 1900s. (An informative post about the history of the buildings can be found on the City of Waterloo’s Foundations blog here).

 

Nearly twenty years ago the buildings were converted into lofts, with some commercial units as well. They’re beautiful. (At least from the outside. When I make a friend who lives there and invites me over, I’ll let you know about the interior. But I’m guessing I won’t be disappointed).

 

The small windows, with their stationary blue shutters, add striking interest to the simplicity of the architecture. Larger, modern windows (not pictured here because I find the miniature ones more compelling) line the sides of the buildings. The landscaping is minimalist and modern, and the location – in thriving Uptown Waterloo – is vibrant and convenient.

 

I just love the lines of these windows.

Seagram Lofts are a lovely example of adaptive re-use.
Thanks for sticking with me, door-lovers, despite this post being pretty heavy on the windows. 😊

Back in time.

For Norm’s Thursday Doors this week, I wanted to share a photo of a humble but hardy local building.

This lovely little log structure, the first schoolhouse in Waterloo, Ontario, is nearly 200 years old. Built by Pennsylvania German Mennonite settlers in 1820, its function as a school was short-lived – it served the community for 22 years before being declared too small for the growing population.

c. 1900. Photo from Waterloo Public Library.

It was sold, relocated to Kitchener, and utilized as a residence. From 1891 to 1894, the building sat vacant. The Waterloo Park Board purchased the structure and moved it once again, to its current location in Waterloo Park. The schoolhouse has been beautifully restored and it was formally designated as a Heritage Property in 2012.

I wonder if those who laid the logs of this building knew it would last. I wonder if they’d ever have guessed that that we’d be analyzing their materials and techniques to try and define, and understand, and preserve a culture and a lifestyle that are now obsolete.

Can’t help but wonder what future generations will make of us.

 

For the history buffs, click here and here and here for more about this building.