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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reference materials series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

5

File

10

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1932

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : blueprints; 50 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of elevations and a floor plan.

Notes

Building was designed by E. Telfer Arnoldi.

Related Material

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

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

Places

St. Clair Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

4

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Name Access

Sherman, Max

Physical Condition

Material is fragile and somewhat torn.

Places

Augusta Avenue (Toronto. Ont.)

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

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

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

26

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1921

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. watercolour on cardboard ; 44 x 48 cm

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Mandel Mehr was the owner of Mehr Scrap Iron and Metals.

Scope and Content

File consists of a watercolour drawing of the exterior of a house for Mr. Mandel Mehr.

Places

Lyndhurst Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

10

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936-1937

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

One drawing is torn.

Places

Moir Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

16

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 47 cm length and 3 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans of alterations to a dwelling to be converted into a duplex for Mr. S. Wineberg.

Name Access

Wineberg, S.

Places

Brunswick Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

21

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1921

Physical Description

24 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 23 pencil on tracing paper ; 89 cm length or smaller and 9 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Born in 1883, David Dunkelman was the founder of Tip Top Tailors, a high end men's clothing store, which currently has about one hundred branches nationwide. The business was sold to Dylex who subsequently sold it to Grafton-Fraser in 2000. David, and his wife Rose had six children; Joseph, a movie executive; Ernest, a manufacturer; Zelda; Veronica; Theodora; and Benjamin, who fought in both the Second World War and the Israeli War of Independence. David Dunkelman died in 1978.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of alterations to the residence of Mr. David Dunkelman. Contained within are sections, elevation drawings and a floor plan. Several sketches of the interior of the residence as well as detailing of windows, a mantle and the entrance are included.

Notes

Drawings are in three rolls.

Repro Restriction

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

Physical Condition

In need of conservation. Some drawings are badly torn.

Places

Rowanwood Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

103

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1935]

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 67 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey banana warehouse for Mr. Pasquale Meschino on St. Clair Avenue. Floor plans, sections, elevation drawings and a roof plan are included.

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

6

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1922

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 45 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Abraham M. Schiffer along with his partner Mr. William Leibel were the co-owners of the Empire Clothing Co., and Cornell Tailored Clothing Ltd. Both businesses were located at 197/199 Spadina Avenue in the Empire Clothing Building, which was named after their company.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of alterations to the home of Mr. William Leibel at 90 Admiral Road. A block plan, sections and an elevation drawing are included.

Related Material

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

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

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

8

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

5 drawings are on the verso of discarded blueprints.

Physical Condition

Some materials are slightly torn.

Places

Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

1

File

3

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1922]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col., watercolour, on cardboard backed paper ; 90 x 73 cm

Admin History/Bio

The Brunswick Avenue Talmud Torah Day School was established in 1907 and was originally situated on Simcoe Avenue. In 1922 the school received a charter from the Province of Ontario and relocated to Brunswick Avenue the same year. The new school opened in 1925 as a non-denominational afternoon school. It was the precursor to the Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto.

Scope and Content

File consists of one drawing of the exterior of the Brunswick Avenue Talmud Torah.

Repro Restriction

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

Related Material

See File 49-5-13 for plans of the Yorkville Talmud Torah Day School in New York, designed by Benjamin W. Levitan.

Places

Brunswick 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

4

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1924]

Physical Description

9 architectural drawings : pencil, 6 hand col. pastel, 7 on tracing paper ; 36 x 50 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The Brunswick Avenue Talmud Torah Day School was established in 1907 and was originally situated on Simcoe Avenue. In 1922 the school received a charter from the Province of Ontario and relocated to Brunswick Avenue the same year. The new school opened in 1925 as a non-denominational afternoon school. It was the precursor to the Associated Hebrew Schools of Toronto.

Scope and Content

File consists of Benjamin Brown's designs for the Brunswick Avenue Talmud Torah. Contained within are sketches of various entrances and frontages for the Brusnwick Avenue Talmud Torah. Designs of the Ark are also included.

Physical Condition

Drawings are fragile, several are torn.

Places

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

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

2

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1919-[1935]

Physical Description

327 architectural and technical drawings

Scope and Content

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

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

Subjects

Dwellings

Physical Condition

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

3

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

textual record

Date

1919-1949

Physical Description

ca. 1000 architectural and technical drawings

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

1 cm of textual records

Scope and Content

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

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

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

Physical Condition

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

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

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

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

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

Series

Fonds

49

Series

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[1915]-1940

Physical Description

174 architectural drawings

Scope and Content

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

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

Physical Condition

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

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

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

40

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1930]

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

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

Places

Charles Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

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

•