Doors Open Toronto May 25 & 26 : Gallery 1313 is pleased to be part of DOORS OPEN Toronto Parkdale Arts and Cultural Centre- Gallery 1313

Arts & Cultural Centre, Built 1930-1939

1313 Queen St. West, Main (map)

416-536-6778

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Saturday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Last Admittance: 5:00 pm

Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Last Admittance: 5:00 pm

Architecture

Year: 1931

Style: Art Deco (1918-1940)

Original Architect: J.J.Woolnough

Building Description

The site at 1313 Queen St. West was constructed in 1931 as Division 6 for the City of Toronto's Police Force. It served as a police station until the early 1960s when it became emergency housing for a dozen years and then became a Metro property. In 1994, the community petitioned to have the building turned over to community use managed by Artscape. This goal was achieved in 1997 when the space was converted into spaces for artists and community organizations that today includes Gallery 1313, Students for Tibet, Kababayan Multicultural Centre, Parkdale BIA, Worker Bee Supply Company, and Beca Gilgan Photography. Gallery 1313 housed the original 12 holding cells for prisoners at Division 6. The building plays a critical role as a community hub with the gallery offering access to 25,000 visitors annually.

Visitor Experience

Visitors to the Gallery will see a blueprint of the building as a police station and framed clippings detailing its construction, which cost $85,000 in 1931. Visitors will see pictures of the area and a video of the building's interior. Guides will share the building's history and significance.