Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

96

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

19 architectural drawings : 4 blueprints, 15 pencil on tracing paper, some hand col., pencil crayon ; 78 cm length or smaller and 10 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of several schemes for an apartment building with stores located on the ground floor, at 5 Manor Road West. Among the drawings are plans for a five storey apartment by architect W.J. Miller at the Yonge and Manor location. Elevation drawings, floor plans, sections and a lot plan are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission VII.

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

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

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

35

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1924

Physical Description

7 architectural drawings : blueprints ; 41 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of an apartment building located on Beverley St. for Mr. Benjamin Brown (in trust). Floor plans, sections and elevation drawings are included.

Places

Beverley Street (Toronto, Ont.)

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

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

1

File

5

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1920

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : 1 pen on linen weave and 5 pencil ; 54 x 54 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

File consists of Benjamin Brown's designs for a proposed synagogue. The designs were likely created before the congregation had purchased land or secured an architect. The congregation did not end up using Benjamin Brown as the architect. Included are floor plans, sections, and a rough sketch of the exterior.

Subjects

Synagogues

Physical Condition

Drawings are brittle and fragile. One drawing is badly torn.

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

78

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 74 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey building housing stores and apartments at the N.W. corner of Spadina Road and Montclair Avenue. The first floor contained three stores and a two bedroom suite, and the second floor contained two, one bedroom and two, two bedroom suites. Elevations, floor plans, detailing and sections are included.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

29

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1926

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Sol Wilks was the owner of a stationary store and two commercial/residential buildings. One building was located at the corner of Robina and St. Clair and the other at 1034 St. Clair, where he also resided.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings for stores and an apartment building located on the N.W. corner of Robina and St. Clair for Mr. Sol Wilks. The building was three stories high and contained one, two bedroom suite and four, one bedroom suites. Floor plans and elevations are included.

Places

Robina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Saint Clair Avenue West (Toronto, Ont.)

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

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

54

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1926

Physical Description

22 architectural drawings : 12 blueprints, 10 pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 55 cm length or smaller and 10 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a six storey apartment building designed in the Art Deco style. Elevations, floor plans and a block plan are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission V.

Physical Condition

Tracing paper is torn and fragile.

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

19

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1924]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. watercolour on cardboard ; 39 x 46 cm

Admin History/Bio

Mrs. Harry Farber lived at 45 Sullivan Street.

Scope and Content

File contains a watercolour drawing of a proposed residence for Mrs. Harry Farber.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

27

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1922

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : pencil and hand col. watercolour on cardboard backed paper ; 33 x 53 cm or smaller

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey house for Mr. M. Mendelsohn on Dunvegan Road. Elevation drawings and sketches of the stairs and main entrance are included.

Places

Dunvegan Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

82

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1930]

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 44 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Schipper Brothers was a large fur manufacturing company owned by Irving, Frank and Marcus Schipper. The brothers all lived at 84 Beverly Street. After the death of two brothers, the business was sold to Ben Krakower, Bert Shinwell and Syd Schipper. It closed shortly afterwards due to financial difficulty.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey apartment and an attached fur manufacturing factory for Schipper Brothers at 1323-1325 Bay Street. Sections, floor plans and elevation drawings are included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-83 for architectural drawings of additions to the factory in 1935.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

28

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1924]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. watercolour on cardboard ; 38 x 51 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of a high quality colour drawing of three, two storey houses for the New York Dress Company.

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Reference materials series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

5

File

12

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1932

Physical Description

8 architectural drawings : blueprints ; 55 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans and an elevation.

Notes

Building was designed by Kaplan and Sprachman.

Related Material

See File 49-3-85 for additions and alterations to this building.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1922

Physical Description

9 architectural and technical drawings : 8 blueprints, 1 pencil on tracing paper ; 53 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a four bedroom, two storey home for Mr. Ira Levy at 30 Dunvegan Road. The home also contained a sun room and an attached garage. Floor plans, elevations and a basement heating plan are included.

Places

Dunvegan Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

22

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1921-1922

Physical Description

71 architectural drawings : pencil, some hand col. pencil crayon, some on tracing paper ; 89 cm length or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Dr. Samuel Lavine was the first Jewish Doctor to practice in Toronto. He graduated from Trinity University Medical School in 1899 and opened up a practice shortly thereafter. He was one of a group of doctors that helped fulfill the medical needs of the largely immigrant Jewish community.

Scope and Content

File consists of several different schemes for a two or three storey dwelling and garage for Dr. Samuel Lavine at 30 Dunvegan Road. Floor plans, elevations, sketches, sections and detailing of the interior, windows and porch are included.

Notes

Due to the fragility of these drawings, the description is partially based on Speisman's earlier item level descriptions.

Drawings are in six seperate rolls.

Physical Condition

Drawings are fragile, some are torn.

Places

Dunvegan Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Reference materials series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

5

File

11

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : blueprints ; 50 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of elevations, detailing, a foundation plan and floor plans.

Notes

Building was designed by Herbert G. Duerr.

Places

Kingston Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

95

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1935]

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, some hand col., pencil crayon ; 68 cm length or smaller

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a three storey office building containing a Bank of Nova Scotia and several stores at 292 Spadina Avenue. Floor plans and elevations are included.

Notes

Drawings are located in two separate rolls.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

105

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

Date

1929-1930

Physical Description

41 architectural and technical drawings : some pencil, some blueprints ; 81 cm length or smaller and 9 cm diam.

1 photograph : b&w ; 38 x 30 cm

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 crowned by a two storey tower. It is considered one of the finest examples of Art Deco architecture in Toronto. Initially, many Jewish garment businesses were located in the building. It currently houses offices for several graphic design and advertising firms, shops and a post office. The Balfour Building was declared a heritage building by order of City Council in July of 1989.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of the Balfour Building. Floor plans, a roof plan, detailing, sections, elevations, electrical plans and drawings of the entrance are included. Also included is a photograph of the exterior in the early 1930s.

Notes

Photograph is mounted on cardboard and encased in Melinex.

Due to the fragility of this material, the description and extent are partially based on Steven Speisman's item level descriptions.

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

See photo 3308 for a copy print of the Balour building photograph in this file.

See File 49-3-34 for alterations to Lazar's restaurant in the Balfour Annex at 125 Spadina and File 49-3-32 for alterations to Balfour Annex stores for Messrs. Shiffer, Hillman and Lichtman.

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

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

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

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

75

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1919-1924

Physical Description

20 architectural drawings : 7 blueprints, 13 pencil, some on tracing paper ; 45 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

The Mavety Theatre was located at 215 Mavety Street, which is near the intersection of Dundas and Keele. In 1919, Joe Nevin created plans to convert the theatre into a cinema. In 1924, Benjamin Brown was commissioned by Mr. R. Thornton to make alterations to the theatre. It is unknown if these plans were implemented. The theatre was the site of several political rallies promoting workers' rights in the 1920s.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to the Mavety Theatre. In addition to Benjamin Brown's drawings, file also includes proposed plans to convert the theatre into a cinema drawn by architect Joe Nevin. Floor plans, sections, detailing and elevation drawings are included.

Notes

Due to the poor condition of these drawings, the description is partially based on the item level descriptions created by Steve Speisman.

Name Access

Mavety Theatre

Thornton, R.

Access Restriction

Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.

Physical Condition

Material is fragile and badly torn.

Related Material

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

14

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1925]

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 51 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Irving Stone was the president of Stone Clothing Company Limited.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a four bedroom, two storey house and a garage for Mr. Irving Stone at 10 Admiral Road. Floor plans, a cross section and elevation drawings are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XVI.

Places

Admiral Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

17

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 61 cm length or smaller and 3 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of alterations to the two storey residence of Mr. Nicholas Rico at 1819 Davenport Road. Floor plans, a section, a lot plan and detail of footings are included.

Places

Davenport Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

87

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1940

Physical Description

17 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 71 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Morris Alspector was a Jewish real estate agent and developer.

Scope and Content

File consists of sections, elevations, detailing, floor plans, a foundation plan and a section of a two storey hotel for Mr. Morris Alspector on Lakeshore Road at Jackson Point on the south side of Lake Simcoe.

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

68

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1923

Physical Description

27 architectural and technical drawings : 1 blueprint, 26 pencil, some hand col., pencil crayon ; 74 cm length or smaller and 11 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 streets, and a public garage at 287 Spadina Avenue. After the brothers died, the family sold the woollen business and invested in real estate.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of a public garage for the Gelber Brothers at 287 Spadina Avenue. Included are elevation and section drawings, floor plans and a roof plan. Technical drawings of the windows and door frame are also included.

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

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

79

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1937

Physical Description

7 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 76 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of two attached, two storey buildings for Mr. Bebell at 2014-2016 Yonge Street. The building contained a fur storage vault, several stores and several apartment suites. Floor plans, sections, elevations and a block plan are included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-74 for architectural drawings of a building at Avenue Road and Bernard Avenue for Mr. Bebell.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

74

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1937

Physical Description

14 architectural drawings : pencil, some hand col., pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 45 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

William F. Bebell was the manager of the British-American Coal and Coke Company which was located at 143 St. Leonards Avenue.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey building at the corner of Avenue Road and Bernard Avenue for Mr. William F. Bebell. Among the drawings are floor plans of several different layouts for the building, containing various arrangements of apartments, offices and stores. Detailing, sections, and elevation drawings are also included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-79 for stores and apartments for Mr. Bebell at 2014-2016 Yonge Street.

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

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

37

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1946]

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : blueprints ; 40 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Percy Hermant was born in Mogilev, Russia in 1882. In 1897, he immigrated to Canada, arriving in New Brunswick, where he began working as a drygoods peddler. In 1900, he founded the Imperial Optical Company, the first prescription lens business in the Maritimes. This 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. In addition to his successful business, Mr. Hermant served as the director of both the Mount Sinai and Runnymede hospitals. He was also a member of the Toronto Board of Trade and other established societies such as the Primrose, and Empire Clubs.

Mr. Hermant was very active in philanthropy and involved in the funding and establishment of the Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA), and in the funding of the Associated Hebrew Universities. Mr. Hermant also established several scholarships at the University of Toronto, including the Percy Hermant Fellowship in Ophthalmology for graduates of Medicine who wish to pursue ophthalmology as a profession. Mr. Hermant died in 1959 and was survived by his wife Dorothy, son Sydney and four grandchildren.

Scope and Content

File consists of two block plans for a storage building at 179 Ontario Street for Percy Hermant.

Notes

Benjamin Brown's office was also located in the Hermant building during the 1940s.

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 49-3-58 for the architectural plans of a factory for Imperial Optical Co. at 270 Ontario Street and for an administrative history of Imperial Optical.

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

Places

Ontario Street (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

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

89

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1945]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 109 cm length and 7 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of a floor plan for a proposed addition to the Genosha Hotel at King and Mary Streets in Oshawa, Ontario. Additions include a powder room, smoking room and two large beverage rooms for ladies and men respectively.

Notes

Due to the fragility of these drawings, the description is partially based on the item level descriptions created by Steve Speisman.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

23

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1930

Physical Description

58 architectural and technical drawings : 6 blueprints, 51 pencil and 1 pen. some on tracing paper ; 102 cm length or smaller

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of a proposed house for Benjamin Brown at 37 Castle Frank Crescent. The house was completed and Brown lived in it from 1931-1932. The plans contain drawings of a two storey, three bedroom home that included servant quarters. Floor plans, lot plans, sections, elevation drawings, interior sketches, detailing and technical drawings of structural elements of the building are included.

Notes

An elevation drawing is on the verso of the ground floor plan.

Formerly listed as Commission XXVIII.

Repro Restriction

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

Physical Condition

Drawings are fragile, some are torn.

6/16/2015: Records were sent out for conservation treatments.

Places

Castle Frank Crescent (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

60

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1920

Physical Description

7 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 58 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, sections and elevation drawings of proposed additions and alterations to a single storey building on Simcoe Street for Mr. H. Goldstein.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

5

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1929

Physical Description

8 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 7 pencil on tracing paper, some hand col. pencil crayon ; 44 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Joseph Goldenberg was the owner of a dwelling and kosher restaurant located at 63 Elizabeth Street. After selling it in 1925, he purchased a new kosher restaurant at 275 Spadina Avenue. Alterations and additions to the restaurant were made in 1929 and 1934 respectively.

Scope and Content

File consists of several floor plans and elevation drawings.

Related Material

See File 49-3-84 for the architectural drawings of the 1934 alterations to Mr. Goldenberg's restaurant at 275 Spadina Avenue.

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

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

84

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

5 architectural drawings : 2 blueprints, 3 pencil on tracing paper ; 61 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Joseph Goldenberg was the owner of a dwelling and kosher restaurant located at 63 Elizabeth Street. After selling it in 1925, he purchased a new kosher restaurant at 275 Spadina Avenue. Alterations and additions to the restaurant were made in 1929 and 1934 respectively.

Scope and Content

File consists of a block plan, sections, floor plans and elevation drawings of alterations to a restaurant at 275 Spadina Avenue for Mr. Joseph S. Goldenberg.

Related Material

See File 49-3-5 for the architectural drawings of the 1929 alterations to Mr. Goldenberg's restaurant at 275 Spadina Avenue.

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

66

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1930

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col., pencil crayon ; 68 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to three attached buildings at 76-80 Spadina Avenue for Mr. D. L. Smith. Each building was two stories and housed a store on the ground floor. Elevations, sections, floor plans and a foundation plan are included.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

69

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1929

Physical Description

8 architectural and technical drawings : blueprints ; 76 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

The Empire Clothing Company, co-owned by Mr. William Leibel and Mr. A. M. Schiffer, manufactured men's clothing and sold it wholesale. Leibel and Schiffer were also close neighbors, living only a few houses apart. The headquarters of Empire Clothing was located at 197/199 Spadina Avenue.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of a building for the Empire Clothing Company at the corner of Spadina Avenue and Adelaide Street. The building is likely the Balfour Building, which was commissioned by the Empire Clothing Co., Sam Lichtman of Blue Bird Dress, and the Shiffer-Hillman Co. Many of the plans are of a structural nature. Floor plans, footing plans, schedules for placing support columns and detailing are included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-94 for plans of additions and alterations to the office headquarters of the Empire Clothing Company at 197/199 Spadina Avenue.

See File 49-2-4 for plans of private garage for Mr. A. M. Schiffer.

See File 49-2-6 for plans of alterations to home of Mr. William Leibel. Elevations and floor plans of an unknown building are on the verso of two of the blueprints.

See File 49-3-105 for plans of the Balfour Building.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

94

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1923-1926

Physical Description

66 architectural drawings : 16 blueprints, 50 pencil on tracing paper ; 79 cm length or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The Empire Clothing Company, co-owned by Mr. William Leibel and Mr. A. M. Schiffer, manufactured men's clothing and sold it wholesale. Leibel and Schiffer were also close neighbors, living only a few houses apart. The headquarters of Empire Clothing was located at 197/199 Spadina Avenue.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings for additions and alterations to the office headquarters of the Empire Clothing Company at 197/199 Spadina Avenue. Elevations, detailing, sections, floor plans and a roof plan are included. Also included are the drawings for the original factory, completed by Brown in 1923.

Notes

Due to the fragility of these drawings, the description and extent are partially based on Speisman's earlier item level descriptions. The drawings are contained in two rolls.

ACCESS RESTRICTION NOTE: Researchers wishing to access interior drawings must be granted written permission by the property owner.

Access Restriction

Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.

Repro Restriction

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

Physical Condition

Drawings are fragile and torn.

Related Material

See File 49-2-4 for plans of private garage for Mr. A. M. Schiffer.

See File 49-2-6 for plans of alterations to home of Mr. William Leibel.

See File 49-3-69 for plans of a building for Empire Clothing at Spadina Avenue and Adelaide Street.

Source

Archival Descriptions

• 

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

101

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1930

Physical Description

57 architectural and technical drawings : 5 blueprints, 51 pencil, some on tracing paper ; 94 cm length or smaller

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of a two storey, store and office building at the northeast corner of College and Spadina for University Investments Limited. Floor plans, elevations, sections, framing plans, detailing and building sketches are included. Also included are technical drawings of structural elements of the building.

Notes

Due to the fragility of some of these drawings, the description and extent are partially based on Speisman's earlier item level descriptions. The drawings are contained in two rolls.

Formerly listed as Commission III and XII.

Speisman's original finding aid notes Nelson and Tanz Furriers, 600 Bay St. as a connection to this commission.

Physical Condition

Some drawings are torn and fragile.

Related Material

See File 49-3-49 for architectural drawings of alterations to stores at Cumberland Hall located at 824 Yonge St. for University Investments Limited.

Source

Archival Descriptions