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

97

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[between 1929 and 1930]

Physical Description

ca.100 architectural and technical drawings : blueprints, pencil on linen weave, some hand col. pencil crayon ; 95 cm or smaller

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 nine storey western building was designed by architects Bond and Smith in 1913. The six storey Hermant Annex and fourteen 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. The Hermant Building was initially built on Wilton Square - which was later renamed Dundas Square. Benjamin Brown's office was also located in the Hermant building during the 1940s.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of the eastern tower of the Hermant Building. Floor plans, cable plans, sections, elevations, detailing, sketches and technical drawings of structural elements of the building are included.

Physical Condition

Some drawings are fragile and torn.

Related Material

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

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 49-3-58 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 49-3-100 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

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

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

106

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1920

Physical Description

40 architectural and technical drawings : 3 blueprints, 9 pen on linen weave, 28 pencil on tracing paper ; 88 cm length or smaller

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 nine storey western building was designed by architects Bond and Smith in 1913. The six storey Hermant Annex and fourteen 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. Benjamin Brown's office was also located in the Hermant building during the 1940s.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of the Hermant Annex located at 254-256 Victoria Street. Foundation plans, floor plans, elevations, a roof plan, sections, a block plan and a lettering design for a building sign are included. Technical drawings of structural elements of the building as well as schedules for construction of the building are also included.

Physical Condition

Some drawings are fragile and torn.

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

Related Material

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

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 49-3-58 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.

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

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

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

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

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

86

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, a section, and elevation drawings of a six bedroom, two storey hotel for Mr. C. Calarco at 111-113 Elm Street. Plans for a new beverage room are also included.

Notes

Floor plans of a house are on the verso of the blueprint.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

71

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1940

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 73 cm length and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Link Brass and Copper Co. Ltd. was owned by Mr. K. Link.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a foundry and forge for Mr. K. Link. A foundation plan, floor plan and elevation drawings are included.

Related Material

See File 40-3-70, for architectural plans of main building at 108 River Street.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

99

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1925]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. watercolour on cardboard ; 42 x 39 cm

Scope and Content

File consists of a high quality watercolour elevation drawing of a seven storey building for the Goldberg Brothers and Mr. Hartman. The building is likely the Fashion Building, but Benjamin Brown was not the chosen architect for the project; the contract instead went to Kaplan and Sprachman.

Notes

Scope and content note: For many years, Benjamin Brown has been miscredited as the architect of the Fashion building, in part due to his work on other buildings in the area, most notably the Tower, Balfour and Commodore buildings.

Related Material

See photo #3307.

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

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

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

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

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

1

File

2

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1919-1922

Physical Description

136 architectural drawings : pencil, some hand col., watercolour, on linen weave and tracing paper ; 100 x 90 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The Henry Street Beth Jacob Synagogue was founded by Toronto’s Polish-Jewish Community, as the successor of an older, smaller synagogue on Elm Street. It was the first synagogue in Toronto that was designed by a Jewish architect, Benjamin Brown. Located at 23 and 23 ½ Henry Street, the synagogue was dedicated in 1922, at a cost of $156,000, and could accommodate up to eight hundred worshippers. It was built in Romanesque style and was notable for its stained glass windows and retractable roof that was used on Sukkoth. It also contained a vaulted ceiling capped by a large dome and four smaller ones. The building was eventually sold and converted into a church. It is the current site of the Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of Beth Jacob Synagogue. Contained within are basement, floor, stairwell and roof plans, load plans, sections, and elevation drawings. Also included are detailing of windows, the Ark, entrances and other structures and objects.

Notes

Most of the drawings are stored in four rolls, the remainder are encased in five sheets of Melinex. Due to the fragility of these drawings, the medium, extent and sizes of them are based on the descriptions compiled by Steve Speisman. It is recommended that a conservator examine these drawings.

Name Access

Beth Jacob Synagogue (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Synagogues

Repro Restriction

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

Physical Condition

Some drawings are frayed and torn.

Places

Henry Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

• 
• 
• 

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

102

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1929]

Physical Description

11 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 10 pencil ; 64 cm length or smaller - 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Built in 1929, the Commodore Building is a large office building that once primarily housed businesses in the garment industry. It was designated a heritage building in 2005.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of the Commodore Building, which is a ten storey building located at 317 Adelaide West. Floor plans of each floor and an elevation of the entrance are included.

Notes

USE CONDITION NOTE: Researchers wishing to access interior drawings must first 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.

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

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

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

1

File

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1940

Physical Description

12 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 48 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Founded in the 1920s, Camp Yungvelt was originally situated on Lake Wilcox. Two years later it moved to Pickering, where it operated until it closed in the 1950s. It was established by the Workmen's Circle, as a Yiddish summer camp for Jewish children. Camp Yungvelt was known for accepting the children of poor immigrants for a small fraction of the regular fee.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of several new buildings that were erected at Camp Yungvelt. Floor plans, a foundation plan, and several elevation drawings are included.

Subjects

Camps

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Pickering (Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

• 

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

88

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1921-1924

Physical Description

44 architectural drawings : 4 blueprints, 40 pencil on tracing paper ; 81 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Dr. Max Kates was a Jewish dentist, his office was located at 218 1/2 Queen Street West. He was married to Lillian Kates, who was the founder of Camp Arowhon. They had two children, Eugene and Shyrle.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey building containing stores for Dr. Max Kates at Dundas and Elizabeth Streets. Sections, elevations, detailing, floor plans, a block plan and a roof plan are included. An early perspective drawing shows the building designed as three-storeys instead of the built two-storey structure.

Notes

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

Access Restriction

Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.

Repro Restriction

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

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

65

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1930

Physical Description

9 architectural drawings : 8 pencil, 1 hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 49 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey restaurant for Mr. Alexander Good. Elevations, sections, floor plans, a roof plan and a block plan are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XIV.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

67

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 62 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Samuel Godfrey was the owner of S. Godfrey tailor supplies and trimmings.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a three-storey factory for Mr. Samuel Godfrey on King Street West. Elevations, floor plans, a roof plan, and a section are included.

Subjects

Factories

Related Material

See File 49-5-14 for plans of a house for Mr. Samuel Godfrey designed by Douglas E. Kertland.

Places

King 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

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

64

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : 3 blueprints, 2 pencil on tracing paper, 1 pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on verso of blueprint ; 56 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to a two storey building located at 123-125 Yonge Street for Arcade Florists Limited, which was owned by George and Ben Yavner. Sections, elevation drawings and floor plans are included.

Notes

One drawing is located on the verso of a discarded blueprint.

Formerly listed as Commission XIII.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

70

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1940

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

Link Brass and Copper Co. Ltd. was owned by Mr. K. Link.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a building for Link Brass and Copper Co. Ltd. at 108 River Street. Sections, elevation drawings and floor plans are included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-71 for architectural plans of a foundry and forge building for Mr. K. Link at the rear of this building.

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

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

25

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1919-1920

Physical Description

56 architectural drawings : 13 pen on linen weave, 1 blueprint, 42 pencil, some on tracing paper ; 74 cm length or smaller

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Mendel Granatstein was a prominent member of one of the early Jewish families of Toronto. In 1895, he founded M. Granatstein and Sons, Ltd., a junk dealing company, and by the early 20th century, he had become one of the most prosperous Jews in Toronto. Mr. Granatstein was also a community leader, having a hand in the foundation of Beth Jacob Synagogue.

In 1919, Mr. Granatstein commissioned Benjamin Brown and Robert McConnell to design a three storey Classical Georgian style house located at 42 St. George Street. This house also contained a retractable roof used on Sukkoth. In 1947, the house was acquired by the University of Toronto and was used for a variety of purposes until it was demolished in 1999. The Bahen Centre for Information Technology now stands in its place.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of the three storey, six bedroom mansion of Mr. Mendal Granatstein at 42 St. George Street. In addition to the bedrooms, the house contained a sunroom, a study, an enclosed porch, a large living room and a large dining room. Servants' quarters were located in the attic. Floor plans, sections, elevation drawings and drawings of alterations to the porch design are also included.

Notes

Drawings are located in two rolls, one containing the linen weave drawings, which are in good condition and the other containing the remainder, which are in very poor condition. Due to the fragility of these drawings, the description is partially based on the item level descriptions of Steve Speisman.

Repro Restriction

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

Physical Condition

Many drawings are torn and in poor condition.

Places

Saint George 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

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

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

93

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1937

Physical Description

6 architectural and technical drawings : 4 blueprints, 2 pencil on tracing paper ; 58 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. Benjamin Brown's office was located in the Hermant Building in the 1940s,

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey factory for Imperial Optical located at the S.W. corner of Dundas and Ontario Streets. Included are elevations, lot plans, sections and detail of footings. Also included are technical drawings of structural elements of the building as well as schedules for the construction of the building.

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 49-3-37 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 building for Imperial Optical at 270 Ontario Street.

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

17

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1925]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pastel on verso of blueprint ; 47 cm length and 3 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mrs. Celia Cherry was the wife of Isadore Cherry, who was the owner of several ladies clothing shops along Dundas and Bloor. Mrs. Cherry died in 1927, aged 39.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of Cherry's clothing store at 1014 Bloor St. West. Contained within are a floor plan and a high quality pastel drawing of the front exterior, on the back of a previously used blueprint.

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Bloor 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

13

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1925]

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 43 cm length or smaller and 3 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of alterations to the rear of the single storey home of Mrs. D. Jaffey. Contained within are a floor plan, an elevation drawing, and a block plan.

Notes

The name that appears on the project is Mrs. D. Jafey.

Places

Richmond Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

92

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1924

Physical Description

25 architectural and technical drawings : 1 blueprint, 24 pencil, some hand col., pastel, some on tracing paper ; 63 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Phillip Berenbaum was the owner of Grace shoe and slippers manufacturers.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural and technical drawings of a four storey shoe and slipper manufacturing factory for Mr. Phillip Berenbaum at the S.W. corner of Niagara and Portland Streets. Elevations, floor plans, sections, a roof plan and technical drawings of structural elements of the building are included.

Notes

Due to the fragility of these drawings, the description and extent are partially based on the item level descriptions compiled by Steve Speisman.

Access Restriction

Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.

Physical Condition

Very poor condition, a conservator should examine these drawings before further handling.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Reference materials series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

5

File

3

Material Format

textual record

Date

1913-1931

Physical Description

1 folder of textual records

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

43

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1924

Physical Description

14 architectural drawings : 3 blueprints, 11 pencil, some hand col., pencil crayon, 8 on tracing paper ; 58 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Mooney Mirochnick was a Jewish druggist who owned several drugstores in Toronto at various times. Stores were located at 472 College Street, 267 Queen Street West, 162 Palmerston Avenue and 50 Arthur Street. Mr. Mirochnick died in November 1945.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of additions and alterations to a two storey building containing stores and apartments for Mr. Mooney Mirochnick. Floor plans, a lot plan, a section and elevation drawings of the building are included.

Notes

811 Dundas Street West was an alternate address for this building.

Related Material

See File 49-3-44 for the architectural drawings of additions and alterations to the store located at 50 Arthur Street,

See File 49-3-45 for drawings of the garage of the Arthur Street building.

Places

Palmerston Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

44

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1917

Physical Description

11 architectural drawings : 4 ink on linen weave, 7 pencil on tracing paper ; 64 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Mooney Mirochnick was a Jewish druggist who owned several drugstores in Toronto at various times. Stores were located at 472 College Street, 267 Queen Street West, 162 Palmerston Avenue and 50 Arthur Street. Mr. Mirochnick died in November 1945.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings for alterations and additions to a three storey building located at 50 Arthur Street for Mr. Mooney Mirochnick. The first storey included two stores, one of which was Mr. Mirochnick's drugstore. The second and third stories each contained one large residential suite. Floor plans and elevation drawings are included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-43 for the architectural drawings of additions and alterations to the store located at 162 Palmerston Avenue.

See File 49-3-45 for drawings of the garage of the Arthur Street building.

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

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

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

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

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

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

45

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1920]

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : ink on linen weave ; 59 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Mooney Mirochnick was a Jewish druggist who owned several drugstores in Toronto at various times. Stores were located at 472 College Street, 267 Queen Street West, 162 Palmerston Avenue and 50 Arthur Street. Mr. Mirochnick died in November 1945.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a new garage for Mr. Mirochnick at 50 Arthur street. Drawings were completed by Benjamin Brown and Robert McConnell, whom at the time were partners. Floor plans, a section, elevation drawings and a foundation plan are included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-43 for the architectural drawings of additions and alterations to the store located at 162 Palmerston Avenue.

See File 49-3-44 for drawings of additions and alterations to the Arthur Street building.

Source

Archival Descriptions