Toronto Building Illusion (Updated 2017)

We are revisiting an earlier post on Moillusion.  This is the time we receive our very first illusion from our readers.  

Thanks to scienceduck, we got our first user-submitted illusion! I encourage you to submit all of your optical illusion material that you think we should publish here. As the title says, this one is taken in Toronto. I wasn’t sure at first if it is just a painting on the building wall, or is it something like billboard attached to its side. Jump inside this article and see another picture, this time is taken from different angle. Also be sure to visit scienceduck’s homepage for more wonderful images and optical illusions, taken by a camera.


We have come a long way since 2006.  Today we have a mini history lesson.

The Flatiron Mural by Derek Besant. Located in downtown Toronto, the Flatiron building built in 1891 by architect David Roberts was the first flatiron preceding the famed New York building.  In 1998, Canadian artist, Derek Besant painted a mural that mirrors the building directly across from it. The mural consists of over 50 panels attached to a steel frame mounted on the wall and gives off the effect that the painting is fluttering in the wind being held up by screws.

The Canadian building was actually an inspiration for the New York landmark.  This mural also paints the illusion that there are windows on the west facade of the Gooderham Building.  I think I see someone looking out.

Recently, the area has been hard at work to revamp urban spaces.  In addition, we see great animal illusions from the dog themed Berczy Park project that is complete as of June 2017.

animal illusion

animal illusion

The dogs you see are in fact sculptures hand painted by landscape architect Claude Cormie.  Very clever and a tribute to our four-legged pals.

33 Replies to “Toronto Building Illusion (Updated 2017)”

  1. does not suck.

    This is a landmark building in Toronto.

    The other side (the front) of it was used in Interview With A Vampire, so it will look familiar to those who saw the movie. Great bar (Down Under) below it. Also good patio, and all around great area of town.

    For those who have asked, it is an art installation that is mounted somewhat like a billboard would be – out about 6 inches from the actual wall. The windows in the center are real. The others are not.

  2. i agree with onepixel and l. also to dazed and confused: no, it’s a painting. u can see from the second picture because the paper thats still hanging has no shadow

  3. This Picture is the Picture of the Building that is in the Front of the Main Building Like a Mirror. But the Windows are Real.

  4. I’ve seen this building in Toronto. The building kind of thins out at the other side. Kind of like a triangular prism.

  5. This is on the back–or the short side–of the triangular Flatiron Building in Toronto, where Wellington meets Front and Church streets, in the theatre district. The building is just as fun from the pointy end. It’s much smaller than the one in NYC, but I think I like it more. This mural appeared briefly in Cronenberg’s The Fly, through the window of Gina Davis’ publisher’s office.

  6. its a painting but the guy who did it painted shadows on it la – duh! thats why its an ILLUSION!!!!!!
    <.<
    >.>
    =^^=

  7. Wow, this is cool. And to those of you who think this sucks, why don’t YOU try making an optical illusion then? See how easy it is is for you! If you can’t say anything nice, THEN DON’T SAY(or in this case, type)ANYTHING!

  8. This is so well done! It jumps strait at you, right outta tha wall! I wish I could see something like that everyday on my way to work. Very beautiful!

  9. its definatly painting, and it is great!if any of u have been to cannes in france(i think u all no dat)there is loads and they are really fantasically fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!

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