The Great Canadian Gas Station Thread - Page 2

niwell · #21 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 1:42 PM**

The Island Park Drive pair in Ottawa were the first to come to mind for me as well. I actually wonder if this independent station near me looked the same before recladding at some point:

https://goo.gl/maps/i4WHmmu8NPQoDxtg7

Not quite as compact as the Euro examples, but I did see some interesting ones tucked away under buildings in South Africa (most are the exact same suburban model as here):

https://goo.gl/maps/SZnGnns3QwqHdxzCA

https://goo.gl/maps/J7AfVdTLXJopc4ca6

https://goo.gl/maps/EY7Z1KXCJNTatsYa8

I wonder if Australia has similar - it could be a bit of a European holdover in more urban areas. The building area overhead of pumps would be very difficult to get approved under our building code, much less zoning.

Proof Sheet · #22 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 2:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by niwell

The Island Park Drive pair in Ottawa were the first to come to mind for me as well. I actually wonder if this independent station near me looked the same before recladding at some point:

https://goo.gl/maps/i4WHmmu8NPQoDxtg7

Not quite as compact as the Euro examples, but I did see some interesting ones tucked away under buildings in South Africa (most are the exact same suburban model as here):

https://goo.gl/maps/SZnGnns3QwqHdxzCA

https://goo.gl/maps/J7AfVdTLXJopc4ca6

https://goo.gl/maps/EY7Z1KXCJNTatsYa8

I wonder if Australia has similar - it could be a bit of a European holdover in more urban areas. The building area overhead of pumps would be very difficult to get approved under our building code, much less zoning.

Exactly what I thought about building code issues. I saw gas pumps tucked under buildings in Barcelona as well. I haven't noticed them in the UK where I've travelled a lot outside of London....see below

https://goo.gl/maps/TARe58BbNk6KTykF8

esquire · #23 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 3:08 PM**

This trend of gas stations disappearing from downtown landscapes is interesting. With so many cars in every downtown area, you would think there would be a need for at least a handful of them. The "official" downtown Winnipeg doesn't have any left, although there are maybe half a dozen just outside the official downtown boundaries.

Also, much like what you see in the big European cities, Asia also does a bang up job with compact gas stations. I'm surprised that these kinds of small stations tucked into buildings never became a thing in Toronto or Vancouver, although I suppose code issues make sense.

WhipperSnapper · #24 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 4:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

Seems like the right time to post the greatest gas station that Canada ever had and ever will see... the Mies Esso station in Montreal:

Source: https://divisare.com/projects/191913...on-nuns-island

If a gas station could ever move you to tears with its austere beauty, it's this one. Is it still there?

I was not expecting to see something like this. That is awesome. Weird. I must have driven past it. I just don't remember it. Thanks for posting

SignalHillHiker · #25 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 4:30 PM**

It really is oddly beautiful. Makes me want to sit and enjoy a refreshing glass of gasoline.

WhipperSnapper · #26 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 4:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

This trend of gas stations disappearing from downtown landscapes is interesting. With so many cars in every downtown area, you would think there would be a need for at least a handful of them. The "official" downtown Winnipeg doesn't have any left, although there are maybe half a dozen just outside the official downtown boundaries.

Also, much like what you see in the big European cities, Asia also does a bang up job with compact gas stations. I'm surprised that these kinds of small stations tucked into buildings never became a thing in Toronto or Vancouver, although I suppose code issues make sense.

Codes on the storage of fuel is probably even stricter than 20 years ago in Toronto. Barbecue refill stations were a dime a dozen. No one bothered to check the dates on the tanks either. The only way to get propane in my neighbourhood now is through an exchange program.

I assume Europeans aren't anymore lenient on the storage of fuels. My guess these stations don't store the fuel on site. It's pumped in from another site which wouldn't be worth to build in Toronto. Based on observation, the focus when it comes time to rebuild isn't on increasing gasoline or car maintenance
revenues. It makes me question if a roadside pump connected to a small storage tank would be a worthwhile investment if the regulations allowed it.

WhipperSnapper · #27 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 4:39 PM**

The before and after of one of downtown Toronto's gas stations

Before
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6664...!7i3328!8i1664

After
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6664...7i16384!8i8192

J.OT13 · #28 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 5:22 PM**

Petro-Canada in Ottawa's Chinatown, including an entrance on the street and both English and Chinese (but oddly no French) signs.

https://www.google.ca/maps/@45.41149...i8192?hl=en-GB

Innsertnamehere · #29 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 6:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

Codes on the storage of fuel is probably even stricter than 20 years ago in Toronto. Barbecue refill stations were a dime a dozen. No one bothered to check the dates on the tanks either. The only way to get propane in my neighbourhood now is through an exchange program.

I assume Europeans aren't anymore lenient on the storage of fuels. My guess these stations don't store the fuel on site. It's pumped in from another site which wouldn't be worth to build in Toronto. Based on observation, the focus when it comes time to rebuild isn't on increasing gasoline or car maintenance
revenues. It makes me question if a roadside pump connected to a small storage tank would be a worthwhile investment if the regulations allowed it.

Propane storage was really tightened after the Sunrise Propane explosion in 2008 from my understanding. It's really lucky that that explosion didn't cause more harm than it did - the thing was massive.

Innsertnamehere · #30 Posted **Sep 1, 2020, 6:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhipperSnapper

The before and after of one of downtown Toronto's gas stations

Before
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6664...!7i3328!8i1664

After
https://www.google.com/maps/@43.6664...7i16384!8i8192

That rebuild really improved the appeal of that station. I used to drive by it to go visit friends who lived in midtown to grab last minute party snacks and whatnot on the way up at the convenience store. That or the other station further up on Mount Pleasant near Davisville.