About this site

This site is an ongoing photographic project and archive focused on the built environment — abandoned sites, threatened structures, civic spaces, and urban history. The intent is to create a record of endangered spaces, like the properties destined to be destroyed for an airport that was never built. Or the many neighbourhoods in Toronto that will succumb to gentrification.

The project is divided into two primary collections:

• URBEX, documenting abandoned and inaccessible spaces.
• Heritage Toronto, focusing on historically significant architecture and public buildings.

Purpose

The images presented here represent a journey of twenty years. Starting in 2006 with the discovery of abandoned British telephone booths in a field in southern Ontario, my love of found objects and abandoned spaces was ignited. I knew deep down, these spaces needed to be preserved. The desire to document these spaces soon linked me up with like-minded souls. As a collective we explored abandoned, forgotten spaces in Detroit, Cleveland, Southern Ontario, Upstate New York and the rust belt. As a group,we soon realized that local, Toronto properties were in danger of being condemned, demolished and forgotten. To preserve the memory of these spaces, we proposed a project to Heritage Toronto: Building Storeys. This was a visual documentation and anecdotal exhibit of city's heritage buildings and sites. The exhibit showcased Toronto's industrial past, its transit infrastructure and endangered heritage buildings. This site is an attempt to keep a record of these sites.

The site is structured around geographic browsing and map-based exploration, allowing viewers to discover places by region and site type.

Ethics

This site does not provide access instructions or encourage trespass. The focus is historical and visual documentation. Visitors are expected to respect private property and local laws.

Contact

For inquiries, licensing, prints, collaborations, or research requests:
rick@rickharris.org