Gone are the days of being able to get into the old 999 Queen St buildings, the Lakeshore mental health facility (Kipling at the lake), the old G&W distillery... even some of the CNE buildings - even Downsview AFB.
Great 'mood' places to try
Wycliffe College (the college of divinity - treat it with respect - probably the most gothic-mood building in North America)
Convocation Hall
The old Clark Institute
The old Orillia mental hospital
Check Toronto city hall for demolition permits - you will usually have about 45 to 60 days before actual demolition begins - remember these are private properties, get authorization.
Prince Of Serendip 1073 Yonge St
This is a fabulous antique shop owned by several personal friends (my Toronto home is furnished from here) - it's probably the most outlandish antique shops going - if you approach the people there appropriately you just might be able to rent some of the items.
They also have a massive offsite workshop/storage facility where they maintain many movie props. They have been known to let "a very select few" in after hours to do photo shoots (you might want to grease someone's palm)
They are also the principle source of movie props, period vehicles and period furnishings and clothing for the movie industry. Never hurts to ask where the current locations are
The Elgin/Wintergarden Theatre (and the fabled haunted 'third theatre') on Yonge.
You have to 'know someone' to get access here.
The old Eaton's College Theatre (Yonge and College)
This has been closed and unavailable to the public for many years.
You have to 'know someone' to get access here.
And then there's the ROM archives/storage facilities.
I won't even list the address but with a bit of work you can find it... and it's more than worth the detective work - ever done a shoot with a real mummy or a dinosaur?
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