Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Level

Fonds

Fonds

49

Material Format

multiple media

Date

1902-1949

Physical Description

ca. 1500 architectural and technical drawings

6 photographs : b&w ; 38 x 30 cm or smaller

16 cm of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Benjamin Brown (ca. 1888-1974) was the first practicing Jewish architect in Toronto. Born in what is now Lithuania, he arrived in Toronto at an early age and soon after, quit school to take a job in a garment manufacturing factory to help out his impoverished family. Not finding this career to his liking, Brown enrolled in the Ontario School of Art and Design with the intention of becoming an artist. When this profession proved financially unfeasible, Brown decided to pursue a career in architecture. After completing his high school equivalency, he enrolled in the University of Toronto architectural program, graduating in 1913. Soon after, Brown opened up a practice with fellow architect Robert McConnell, which lasted until the early 1920s. After the partnership ended, Brown set up an independent practice, which he maintained until his retirement in 1955.

Scope and Content

The fonds documents Brown’s design work and renovations of existing buildings through his original drawings, renderings, and building blueprints. The fonds consists of approximately 1500 drawings that are organized into about 150 projects. These projects include single-family residences, apartment buildings, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as synagogue and other community buildings. Many of Brown's buildings were designed in the Art Deco style, with some containing Georgian, Craftsman, Colonial Revival, Tudor and Romanesque elements.

Brown's most important commissions include the Beth Jacob Synagogue located on Henry Street, which was one the largest synagogues in Toronto, and the Balfour Building, an office tower built in the Art Deco style. The designs of Mendel Granatstein’s mansion, which contained a retractable roof for Sukkoth, and a colour sketch of the Primrose Club, which is currently the University of Toronto Faculty Club, may also be of interest to researchers. The fonds also includes some of Brown's files containing articles and illustrations from architecture and design journals of the early twentieth century, which he used as a resource to assist him with his work.

Fonds includes six photographs, one of the Balfour Building, one of Cumberland Hall, and four of Brown as a young man.

Notes

Architectural plans of a lead mine in Burnt River Ontario have been sent to the Kawartha Lakes Archives.

Name Access

Brown, Benjamin, 1890-1974

Subjects

Architects

Creator

Brown, Benjamin, 1890-1974

Accession Number

1975

1987-9-3

1989-10-6

2004-5-109

2004-5-139

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[1915]-1940

Physical Description

174 architectural drawings

Scope and Content

Series consists of Benjamin Brown’s architectural plans and drawings of significant buildings designed or renovated for Toronto‘s Jewish community, including proposals that were never implemented. Contained within are renovation plans of the Beach Hebrew Institute synagogue, an ark design for the McCaul Street Synagogue, and the complete designs of the Henry Street Synagogue. The last of these projects is of particular significance, because it was the first synagogue in Toronto designed by a Jewish architect and was one of Brown‘s largest commissions. Drawings of the Primrose Club (a Jewish men’s club) and the Brunswick Talmud Torah Day School, as well as plans of Camp Yungvelt (a Jewish summer camp) are also included. Additionally, several preliminary sketches of synagogue facades are contained within.

The majority of these drawings are on tracing or drafting paper, several of which are in colour, and the remainder are either blueprints or drawn on cardboard. Floor plans, elevations, sections, foundation plans and sketches of building exterior facades and interiors are included. Additionally, there are drawings of windows, doors and synagogue arks.

Physical Condition

Several drawings and plans are in poor condition. See file level descriptions for further details.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

2

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1919-[1935]

Physical Description

327 architectural and technical drawings

Scope and Content

Series consists of Benjamin Brown’s architectural drawings of personal residences that were either designed or renovated for real estate developers, landlords or the occupants themselves. The majority of the buildings were designed for a Jewish clientele, many of whom were prominent citizens, including Louis Gelber and Mendel Granatstein. Brown also created designs for his own personal residence on Castle Frank Crescent, however the home was never completed. Most of the houses he designed or renovated were located in the Annex, Forest Hill, Casa Loma or Hillcrest neighborhoods. Many were designed with elements of Georgian, Craftman, Colonial Revival and/or Tudor architectural styles. They ranged from three storey mansions to small duplexes and single story homes. The vast majority of his commissions were standard three or four bedroom two storey homes.

The majority of these drawings are on tracing or drafting paper, several of which are in colour and the remainder are either blueprints or drawn on cardboard. Plans, sketches, elevations, sections, detailing and technical drawings of the residences are included.

Subjects

Dwellings

Physical Condition

Several drawings are in poor condition. See file level descriptions for further details.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

3

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

textual record

Date

1919-1949

Physical Description

ca. 1000 architectural and technical drawings

2 photographs : b&w ; 38 x 30 cm or smaller

1 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

Series consists of architectural and technical drawings of commercial buildings that Benjamin Brown either designed or altered. Most of Brown’s clients were Jewish owned businesses, several of which were run by prominent members of the community. These businesses included Imperial Optical, Gelber Brothers Woolens, the City Dye Works, Schipper Brothers Furs, and the Empire Clothing Company.

Architectural plans of apartments, warehouses, theatres, service stations, banks, restaurants, stores, office towers, a bakery and a laundry are included. Several of these buildings are now designated as Toronto heritage buildings. These include the Balfour Building, the Hermant Building (eastern tower), the Hermant Annex, the Commodore Building and the Standard Theatre. Also included are plans of the headquarters of Famous Players Canada, which later became a subsidiary of Cineplex Odeon.

The majority of the drawings are either blueprints or pencil drawings on tracing or drafting paper, several of which are also in colour. Some are on linen weave or cardboard. Plans, elevations, sections, sketches, detailing, photographs of building exteriors, building specifications, and technical drawings of the buildings are included.

Physical Condition

Several drawings are in poor condition. See file level descriptions for further details.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1933

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 2 pencil on tracing pape r; 43 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of alterations to a two storey building for Mrs. I. Tohn. The building contained a confectionery and tobacconist store on the ground floor, and a two bedroom dwelling on the second floor. Floor plans, a block plan and several elevation drawings are included.

Physical Condition

Tracing paper is torn.

Places

Ossington Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

2

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1934]

Physical Description

5 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 4 pencil, 1 on tracing paper ; 48 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Established in 1898, National Trust was a financial institution that managed the assets of trust funds and estates. It was headquartered at 20 King St. E., and merged with Scotiabank in 1997.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, sections and elevation drawings of a two storey building for National Trust at 28 Atlantic Avenue.

Places

Atlantic Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

3

Material Format

architectural drawing

textual record

Date

[ca.1935]

Physical Description

9 architectural drawings : 6 blueprints, 3 pencil ; 44 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

1 folder of textual records

Admin History/Bio

Joseph and Abraham Lewis were the joint owners of the Dominion Printing Company, whose head office was at 259 Spadina Avenue.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of a two storey residence being converted into a single storey printing facility at 92 McCaul St. for Mr. Joseph Lewis. Several floor plans, sections, and elevation drawings are contained within. Also included is a fourteen page specification booklet detailing the work to be done on the building.

Name Access

Lewis, Joseph

Places

McCaul Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

6

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : blueprint ; 54 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Morris Rubinoff was the owner of a drygoods store.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of additions and alterations to a store and dwelling for Mr. Morris Rubinoff at 510 Queen St. West. Sections, floor plans and an elevation drawing are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission VIII.

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

8

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 42 cm length and 2 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Toronto Macaroni was an Italian owned company, located at 2738 Dundas West. One of the owners was Domenico Viggiani, who sold his wife's spaghetti sauce under the Mamma Bravo label. In the 1960s, Toronto Macaroni was bought by General Mills. The Mamma Bravo label was later sold to Heinz.

Scope and Content

File contains the plans of a four gate garage at the rear of a building on Hook Avenue for the Toronto Macaroni Company. Floor plans, a block plan, elevation views and sections are included.

Places

Hook Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

9

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

3 architectural and technical drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 46 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

John H. McKnight had an office at 600 Bay Street, in the same building as Benjamin Brown.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, sections, elevation views and the design of a gasoline and oil interceptor.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Related Material

See File 49-3-42 for architectural drawings of a machine shop for Mr. John H. McKnight.

Places

Bay Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

10

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936-1937

Physical Description

14 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 3 hand col., pencil crayon ; 62 cm length or smaller and 10 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a six storey apartment building at 10 Moir Ave. for W. J. Lovegrove Limited. Floor plans, elevation views, a section and a block plan are included.

Physical Condition

One drawing is torn.

Places

Moir Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

11

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934-1935

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 46 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of proposed alterations to the Calanco-Tywon Hotel at 78-80 Centre Avenue. The hotel was a two storey structure located in Chinatown near Dundas and University. Floors plans and elevation drawings are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XXV.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Places

Centre Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

12

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 44 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey building that was converted into a hotel, situated at 628-632 Bloor St. West. Floor plans and an elevation drawing are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XXVI.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Places

Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

13

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

9 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 7 pencil on tracing paper, 3 hand col. pastel, 1 on verso of blueprint ; 47 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Owned by Mr. A. Levy, Levy Auto Wreckers was one of Canada's largest auto wreckers during the 1930s. The head office was located at 735/737 Queen Street West and it had a branch office at 464 Queen Street East.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of the head office of Levy Auto Wreckers. Floor plans, elevations, and sketches are included.

Physical Condition

Drawings are fragile, one is torn in half.

Related Material

See File 49-3-27 for plans of a branch office at 464 Queen Street East.

See File 49-5-10 for plans of stores for Mr. A. Levy on St. Clair Avenue that were designed by E. Telfer Arnoldi.

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

14

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 54 cm length and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of "The Alps" restaurant at 2872 Dundas Street West. Included are two elevation drawings and a floor plan on a single sheet.

Physical Condition

Drawings are fragile and torn.

Places

Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

15

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935-1936

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 46 cm length or smaller and 3 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Morris Spring was a Jewish real-estate agent and developer. In 1932-33, Mr. Spring purchased and developed several properties in the Hillcrest and Casa Loma areas, as well as the Bloor-Landsdowne area.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of three connected buildings containing stores and dwellings commissioned by Mr. Morris Spring. They were located at 1248-1252 Bloor St. West. The buildings were all two storeys high and had shops on the ground floor and dwellings on the second floor. Floor plans, sections and elevation drawings are included.

Notes

Originally was separated into two projects - Commission no.XXII and XXXII - according to Speisman's finding aid.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Related Material

See File 49-2-3 for the plans of a residence for Mr. Spring at 43 Hillcrest Drive.

See File 49-2-10 for the plans of a residence for Mr. Spring at 19 Austin Crescent.

Places

Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

16

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : pencil and hand col., watercolour, on verso of blueprints ; 38 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of three high quality drawings of the interior and exterior of "My Valet", a single storey clothing store located at 1492 1/2 Bathurst Street for Mr. C. W. Fountain.

Repro Restriction

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Places

Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

39

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1930]

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : pencil, 1 on tracing paper ; 50 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of a ground floor plan, front elevation and a longitudinal section of a proposed three storey apartment building at 4 Spadina Road.

Places

Spadina Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

22

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 53 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans of a three storey rooming house at 1077 College Street.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Places

College Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

24

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 47 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Nelson and Tanz Furriers was a fur manufacturing company jointly owned by Abram Nelson and Louis Tanz. The company was headquartered at 167 Richmond St. W. in the 1920s, and moved to 600 Bay Street in the 1930s.

Scope and Content

File consists of one floor plan for the headquarters of Nelson and Tanz Furriers at 600 Bay Street.

Physical Condition

Fragile and badly torn.

Places

Bay Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

27

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1932

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings and technical drawings : 2 blueprints, 2 pencil on tracing paper ; 53 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Owned by Mr. A. Levy, Levy Auto Wreckers was one of Canada's largest auto wreckers during the 1930s. The head office was located at 735/737 Queen Street West and it had a branch office at 464 Queen Street East.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, a block plan and drawings of joist framings for Levy Auto Wreckers at 464 Queen St. East.

Related Material

See File 49-5-10 for plans of stores for Mr. A. Levy on St. Clair Avenue that were designed by E. Telfer Arnoldi.

See File 49-3-13 for plans of the head office, located at 735/737 Queen Street West.

Places

Queen Street East (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

3

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1933]

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : 5 blueprints, 1 pencil on tracing paper ; 45 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Morris Spring was a Jewish real-estate agent and developer. In 1932-33, Mr. Spring purchased and developed several properties in the Hillcrest and Casa Loma areas, as well as the Bloor-Landsdowne area.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a four bedroom, two storey home, and a garage for Mr. Morris Spring. The residence was located at 43 Hillcrest Drive. Floor plans, foundation plans and elevation drawings are included.

Notes

Numbers 31 and 106 in Speisman's finding aid have been merged into this project.

Related Material

See File 49-3-15 for the plans of stores and residences for Mr. Spring at 1248-1252 Bloor St. West.

See File 49-2-10 for the plans of a residence for Mr. Spring at 19 Austin Crescent.

Places

Hillcrest Drive (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

23

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 1 pencil on tracing paper ; 44 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a single storey factory building for Diamond Cleanser & Soaps, Ltd., located on Van Horne Street. Floor plans and elevation drawings are included.

Places

Van Horne Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

30

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil, 1 hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 36 x 58 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Harry Trachter was the owner of a creamery and grocery store at 800 Dundas St. West, where he also resided. In 1934, the building was badly damaged by fire. Mr. Trachter died in 1982.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of stores (one of which was Trachter's Groceteria), an apartment and an office, located on the northwest corner of Dundas St. and Euclid Avenue. The first floor consisted of two stores, and the second floor consisted of a four bedroom dwelling and an office. Floor plans and a sketch of the building exterior are included.

Repro Restriction

Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.

Places

Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Euclid Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

32

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : 2 blueprints, 4 pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 73 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

The Balfour Building is a Toronto landmark and designated heritage building that is located at 119 Spadina Avenue. It was designed by Benjamin Brown and was one of his most important commissions. Built in 1930, the building is twelve storeys high and is crowned by a two storey tower. It is considered one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in Toronto. The Balfour Building was declared a heritage building by order of City Council in July of 1989. It currently houses offices for several graphic design and advertising firms, shops and a post office.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of additions and alterations to two stores located in a single storey Annex to the Balfour Building, at 125 Spadina Avenue. One of the stores was Shiffer-Hillman Men's Clothing Manufacturing, owned by Elsig Shiffer and Benjamin Hillman. The other store was the Blue Bird Dress Company, owned by Mr. Sam Lichtman. Floor plans, elevations, a block plan, a foundation plan, and a sketch of the storefront are also included.

Physical Condition

Material is slightly torn and fragile.

Related Material

See File 49-3-34 for alterations to Lazar's restaurant in the Balfour Annex at 125 Spadina.

See File 49-3-105 for architectural drawings of the Balfour Building itself.

Places

Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

33

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 60 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, sections and elevations of a laundry building for Mr. Peter Kin at 71 Queen St. West.

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

34

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 3 pencil, 1 hand col. pastel, 2 on verso of blueprints, pencil and hand col. watercolour ; 35 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Lazar Levinson was the owner of two Jewish restaurants in downtown Toronto. The original restaurant, named Lazar’s "Old Spain" restaurant and delicatessen specialized in catering, and was located at 128-130 Queen Street West. In the 1930s, a second restaurant was established in an Annex to the Balfour Building at 125 Spadina Avenue.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of additions and alterations to Lazar's restaurant, located in a single storey Annex to the Balfour Building at 125 Spadina Avenue. Floor plans and elevations are included.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile, slightly torn.

Related Material

See File 49-3-32 for alterations to Balfour Annex stores for Messrs. Shiffer, Hillman and Lichtman.

See File 49-3-105 for architectural drawings of the Balfour Building and for a description of the building.

Places

Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

38

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

5 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 4 hand col. pastel ; 32 cm length or smaller and 3 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Henry Adelberg was the president of Adelberg Limited, which manufactured cloaks and suits and was located at 221 Richmond St. West.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of additions and alterations to a three storey building containing a store and four bedroom dwelling for Henry Adelberg at the N.E. corner of Queen St. West and Brookfield Road. Floor plans and elevations are included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-77 for architectural drawings of a public garage for Henry Adelberg at 33 Dundas St. West.

Places

Brookfield Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

20

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1930]

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 39 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Located at 605 Danforth (Danforth and Gough), the Iola Theatre operated as a movie theatre until closing in 1954.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans and elevations of the Iola Theatre, located at 605 Danforth. These drawings are probably related to a proposed renovation. An incomplete elevation of the Iola Theatre drawn by A. A. Abraham is also included.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile and torn.

Related Material

See File 49-5-11 for architectural plans designed by Herbert G. Duerr of a theatre on Kingston Road.

Places

Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

36

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 58 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a store located at 1482 Queen St. W. for Mr. Louis M. Stern. Floor plans, a lot plan, a section and an elevation drawing are included.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile, somewhat torn.

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

4

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 62 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings for the conversion of a three storey building into a hotel at the S.W. corner of Queen and Augusta for Mr. Max Sherman. Floor plans and elevation drawings are included.

Name Access

Sherman, Max

Physical Condition

Material is fragile and somewhat torn.

Places

Augusta Avenue (Toronto. Ont.)

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

7

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

11 architectural and technical drawings : 4 blueprints, 7 pencil, 1 hand col., watercolour, 6 on tracing paper, 1 on cardboard ; 51 x 64 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Louis Gelber was born in what is now Austria on November 8, 1880. He immigrated to Canada in 1896, marrying Sarah Leah Morris in 1904. Around this time, he and his brother Moses co-founded the Imperial Clothing Company, which became Gelber Brothers Woollens. The head office was located at 217-225 Richmond St. W. from 1912 until the 1960s.

Mr. Gelber was very active in the Jewish Community and was a founder of the Hebrew Free School, Primrose Club and was president of Goel Tzedek. He died in December 1968 and was survived by his four children.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of the home of Mr. Louis Gelber at 133 Lowther Avenue. Included are floor plans, elevation drawings, a colour sketch of the interior and detailing of the living room ceiling, bookcases and mantel.

Notes

Due to the fragility of this material, the description is partially based on Steven Speisman's description.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile and badly torn.

Related Material

See File 49-3-68 for architectural drawings of a public garage at 287 Spadina Avenue for the Gelber Brothers.

See File 49-3-91 for architectural drawings of the New Textile Building for the Gelber Brothers at 205 Richmond Street West.

See File 49-3-90 for the architectural drawings of a woolens warehouse for the Gelber Brothers at 355-359 Adelaide Street West.

See File 49-3-46 for architectural drawings and plans of a service station for the Gelber Brothers at the corner of Richmond and Simcoe streets.

Places

Lowther Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

8

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

13 architectural drawings : 8 pencil on tracing paper, some hand col., pencil crayon and watercolour, 5 on verso of blueprints ; 55 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of the two storey, three bedroom home of Mr. Bernard Weinberg at 1593 Bathurst Street. Floor plans, sections, elevation drawings, a drawing of the detailing on the main entrance, and a high quality colour drawing of a mantelpiece are included.

Notes

5 drawings are on the verso of discarded blueprints.

Physical Condition

Some materials are slightly torn.

Places

Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

9

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 3 pencil, 1 hand col., watercolour, 2 on tracing paper ; 56 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of plans of a four bedroom, two storey duplex for Wells Brothers. Elevation drawings and floor plans are included. It is unknown whether this building was completed.

Physical Condition

One drawing on tracing paper is torn.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

40

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1930]

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : 1 pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on verso of blueprint, 1 pencil on tracing paper ; 63 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to The Spadina Building for Mr. H. Greisman. Floor plans and an elevation drawing are included.

Notes

One drawing is located on the verso of a discarded blueprint of a building for Power Investments Ltd. on 55 Charles St. West.

Places

Charles Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

41

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on verso of blueprint ; 58 cm length and 3 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Simon Ramm was the owner of The New Fashion Shop, a high-end clothing store located at 496 St. Clements Avenue.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of The New Fashion Shop clothing store, located on a single sheet. Included are floor plans and several high quality elevation drawings.

Notes

Drawn on the verso of a discarded blueprint.

Places

St. Clements Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

46

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1932

Physical Description

5 architectural drawings : 3 blueprints, 2 pencil on tracing paper ; 50 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

The Gelber Brothers, Louis and Moses, were born in what is now Austria in the late nineteenth century. Together they founded the Imperial Clothing Company, which later became Gelber Brothers Woollens. Their head office was located in the Gelber Building at 217-225 Richmond Street West. Although selling woollens was their main business, the brothers had other investments, including ownership of a service station at Simcoe and Richmond and a public garage at 287 Spadina Avenue. After the brothers died, the family sold the woollens business and invested in real estate.

Scope and Content

File consists of sections, lot plans and floor plans of a service station at the corner of Richmond and Simcoe streets for the Gelber Brothers.

Related Material

See File 49-2-7 for the architectural drawings of alterations and additions to the house of Mr. Louis Gelber as well as his biography.

See File 49-3-68 for architectural drawings of a public garage for the Gelber Brothers at 287 Spadina Avenue.

See File 49-3-91 for architectural drawings of the New Textile Building for the Gelber Brothers at 205 Richmond Street West.

See File 49-3-90 for the architectural drawings of a woolens warehouse for the Gelber Brothers at 355-359 Adelaide Street West.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

47

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil ; 64 cm length and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of proposed alterations to a three storey hotel for Mr. E. Orlando at 636-638 Danforth Avenue. Floor plans and elevations are included.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

50

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1933

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : blueprint ; 54 cm length and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to the rear of a confectionery store at 809 Dundas West for Mr. Morris Alter. Floor plans and elevation drawings are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XVII.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

10

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1932

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : blueprint ; 43 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Morris Spring was a Jewish real-estate agent and developer. In 1932-33, Mr. Spring purchased and developed several properties in the Hillcrest and Casa Loma areas, as well as the Bloor-Landsdowne area.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey home for Mr. Morris Spring at 19 Austin Crescent. The property was one of two that he purchased and developed on Austin Crescent in 1932, at a cost of $9000 each. A floor plan and an elevation drawing are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission IV.

Related Material

See File 49-3-15 for the plans of stores and residences for Mr. Spring at 1248-1252 Bloor St. West.

See File 49-2-10 for the plans of a residence for Mr. Spring at 43 Hillcrest Drive.

Places

Austin Crescent (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

52

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1933

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 40 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

The Colonial Theatre was established in 1919 and occupied the main floor of the Franklin Building, across the street from Old Toronto City Hall. It was owned an operated by Henry Franklin. The theatre was later renamed the Bay Theatre and closed in 1965. The building itself was torn down shortly thereafter. The site is currently occupied by the Simpson Building.

Scope and Content

File consists of plans of the balcony, gallery, lobby and foyer.

Physical Condition

Poor condition, plans badly torn.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

11

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1933

Physical Description

5 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing pape r; 38 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mrs. Sophia Rochman was the wife of Max Rochman, who was a building contractor and co-owner of Better Homes Limited. The company was involved in property development in the 1930s.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of two neighbouring houses for Mrs. Sophia Rochman on Castlefield Ave. The homes were built for the purpose of either sale or rental. Both are two storey, three bedroom homes. Elevations, block plans, and complete floor plans of both houses are included.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Places

Castlefield Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

56

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1935]

Physical Description

7 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 54 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Famous Players Canada was founded as a Canadian branch of the Famous-Players-Lasky Corporation (the precursor of Paramount Pictures) in 1920, when it merged with the Toronto based Regent Theatres. Over the next two decades, efforts were made by President N. L. Nathanson to wrestle control of Famous Players Canada from Paramount, but he ultimately failed. Famous Players Canada would remain a subsidiary of the American owned Paramount (which was purchased by Viacom in 1994) until 2005, when it was purchased by Cineplex Galaxy for 500 million dollars.

Scope and Content

File contains floor plans of two different schemes for a proposed new headquarters of Famous Players Canada. The proposed building was to be three storeys high, containing many offices and a screening room. The plans appear to be in the preliminary stages and contain no addresses on them. It is unknown if these plans were ever implemented. File also contains a floor plan of Famous Players Canada offices on the twelfth floor of the Royal Bank Building.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

57

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

28 architectural and technical drawings : 6 blueprints, 20 pencil, some hand col. pencil crayon, 18 on tracing paper, 2 on verso of blueprints ; 57 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of a two storey building containing stores and apartments for Mr. Lorenzo Del Grande at the southeast corner of Eglinton and Elmsthorpe Streets. Floor plans, sections, elevations, lot plans, a drainage plan, structural plans of a door frame and detailing of the storefront are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission II.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

58

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1939

Physical Description

5 architectural and technical drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 51 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Imperial Optical was founded in 1900 by Mr. Percy Hermant and was the first prescription lens business in the Maritimes. Percy headed the company until his death in 1959, and under his leadership the company eventually grew to be the largest company of its kind in the British Commonwealth. The head office was located in the Hermant Building (named for Percy) at 21 Dundas Square. After Percy's death, the company passed into the hands of his son Sydney, who sold majority control to the Caribbean based Harcourt Carter Optical in 1965. By 1991, Harcourt Carter Optical had assumed total control of Imperial Optical.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, elevations, sections and a roof plan of a two storey building for Imperial Optical at 270 Ontario Street. Building contained a storage facility, a garage, janitor's quarters and an employees' restaurant.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission IX.

Related Material

See File 49-3-106 for the architectural drawings of the Hermant Annex.

See File 49-3-37 for the architectural plans of a proposed storage building for Mr. Percy Hermant at 179 Ontario Street, and for a biography of Mr. Hermant.

See File 49-3-63 for the architectural plans of alterations to the ground floor of the Hermant Building.

See File 49-3-97 for the architectural drawings of the Hermant Building.

See File 49-3-100 for architectural drawings of Montgomery's Tavern, located on the ground floor of the Hermant Building.

See File 49-3-93 for the architectural drawings of a factory for Imperial Optical at the S.W. corner of Dundas and Ontario Streets.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

55

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, one hand col. pencil crayon ; 45 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, foundations plans, a section and elevation drawings.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

31

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

5 architectural drawings : 3 blueprints, 2 pencil on tracing paper ; 72 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, sections and elevation drawings of a proposed battery and electric service station.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XVIII.

Places

Bay Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Walton Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

61

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 39 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans for a proposed two storey hotel located at 276 Spadina Avenue.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

62

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1935]

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil ; 38 cm length or smaller and 3 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, a section and an elevation drawing of a public garage for Mr. M. Rumack at 167-169 Ontario Street.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

63

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936

Physical Description

9 architectural and technical drawings : 2 blueprints, 6 pencil on tracing paper, 1 on verso of blueprint ; 51 cm length and 7 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

The Hermant Building, located at 21 Dundas Square is a designated heritage building that is actually composed of two connected office buildings and an annex. The 9 storey western building was designed by architects Bond and Smith in 1913. The 6 storey Hermant Annex and 14 storey eastern tower were designed by Benjamin Brown in 1920 and 1930 respectively. The building is named after Percy Hermant and served as the headquarters of his company, Imperial Optical, which for a time was the largest prescription lens business in the British Commonwealth. The buildings were designated as heritage buildings in 1990.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of an alteration to the ground floor of the Hermant Building at 21 Dundas Square. Elevations, floor plans, a block plan and technical drawings of structural elements of the building are included.

Notes

Benjamin Brown's office was located in the Hermant Building in the 1940s; at the time he created these architectural plans his office was located on Bay Street.

Related Material

See File 49-3-97 for the architectural drawings of the Hermant Building.

See File 49-3-106 for the architectural drawings of the Hermant Annex.

See File 49-3-100 for architectural drawings of Montgomery's Tavern, located on the ground floor of the Hermant Building.

See File 49-3-37 for the architectural plans of a proposed storage building located at 179 Ontario Street and a biography of Percy Hermant.

See File 49-3-58 for the architectural drawings of a factory for Imperial Optical at 270 Ontario Street.

See File 49-3-93 for the architectural drawings of a factory for Imperial Optical at the S.W. corner of Dundas and Ontario Streets.

Source

Archival Descriptions