Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

22

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Places

College Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

7

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile and badly torn.

Related Material

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

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

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

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

Places

Lowther Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

10

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1932

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission IV.

Related Material

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

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

Places

Austin Crescent (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

11

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1933

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Places

Castlefield Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

2

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1928

Physical Description

16 architectural drawings : 7 blueprints, 9 pencil on tracing paper ; 39 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Jacob Tenenbaum, along with Samuel Clayman, were owners of Tenenbaum & Clayman Fur Co., a fur manufacturing business.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, a section, and elevation drawings of a four bedroom, two storey home built for Mr. Jacob Tenenbaum at 43 Turner Road. The home also included a billiards room and a conservatory.

Notes

Mr. Tenenbaum's last name was spelled Tennenbaum on the architectural drawings.

Places

Turner Road (Toronto, Ont.)

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

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

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

24

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1935]

Physical Description

19 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, some hand col., pencil crayon ; 88 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a housing project for Hagerty Construction Co. at 463-469 St. Clements Avenue. The project contained eight, two storey dwellings and four double garages. A block plan, drainage plan, elevation drawings and detailing are included.

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

19

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1921

Physical Description

10 architectural drawings : ink on linen weave ; 51 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Nathan Rosenberg was the owner of several ladies' and children's clothing stores in downtown Toronto. Nathan, along with his brother Simon, were the co-owners of the Dainty Dress Company at 317 Adelaide West. He also owned the Exclusive Ladies Garment Company at 221 Richmond Street and was the president of the Exclusive Children's Cloak Company, which was headquartered at 44 York Street.

Scope and Content

File consists of various floor plans, sections and elevation drawings of a large three storey clothing store for Mr. Nathan Rosenberg on Dundas Street West. In 1925, Nathan Rosenberg owned Campbell Women's Wear, located at 124 & 130 Dundas St. West. These may be the drawings for this building.

Places

Dundas 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

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

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

Level

Item

Fonds

49

Series

4

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1920]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. watercolour with a cardboard backing ; 44 x 49 cm

Scope and Content

Item is a high quality watercolour sketch of the interior of a house.

Subjects

Dwellings

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Reference materials series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

5

File

14

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1927

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : blueprints ; 43 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans and an elevation.

Related Material

See File 49-3-67 for plans of a factory for Mr. Godfrey.

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

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

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

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

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

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

51

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1923

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : pencil ; 43 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey building for Mr. Charles Pusitz at 329 Queen Street East. The building contained a store on the ground floor and a two bedroom dwelling on the second floor. Floor plans, a block plan and an elevation drawing are included.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

77

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 1 pencil on tracing paper ; 55 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Henry Adelberg was the president of H. Adelberg Ltd., a cloak manufacturing company.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, a section and detailing of a public garage for Mr. Henry Adelberg at 33 Dundas St. West.

Related Material

See File 49-3-38 for architectural drawings of additions and alterations to store and dwelling for Mr. Henry Adelberg at Queen and Brookfield.

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

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

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

5

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1923

Physical Description

5 architectural drawings : pencil, 1 hand col., watercolour, 2 on tracing paper ; 46 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of alterations to the two storey house, and a new garage for Mr. Frank S. Hutner. It is unknown whether the new garage was completed, since similar plans exist for a new garage to be shared by Mr. Hutner and Mr. Doidge at about the same time. Elevation drawings, a section, a block plan and watercolour drawings of windows and stairs are included.

Related Material

See File 49-2-12 for plans of garage to be shared by Mr. Hutner and Mr. Doidge.

Places

Brunswick Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

33

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

36

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile, somewhat torn.

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

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

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

59

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1922

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil, one hand col. pastel ; 44 cm length or smaller and 3 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Harry Karlin owned a ladies ready to wear clothing company at 211-213 Queen Street East and resided in the same building.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans, a section and elevation drawings of alterations to two stores at 211-213 Queen Street East, one of which was Karlin's, a ladies ready to wear clothing store.

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

6

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission VIII.

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

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

42

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1925]

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : blueprints ; 54 cm length or smaller and 3 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans and elevation drawings.

Related Material

See File 49-3-9 for architectural drawings of a gasoline service station for Mr. John H. McKnight.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

28

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1924]

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Repro Restriction

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Jewish community building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

1

File

6

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1915]

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil and hand col., watercolour, 1 on cardboard backed paper ; 52 x 41 cm or smaller

Admin History/Bio

The Chevra Tehillim congregation was established in 1887 and held services at various locations until it moved to its permanent home at 69 McCaul Street in 1905. Around 1910, the congregation had the McCaul premises remodeled. The synagogue remained on McCaul Street until 1952, when it merged with Goel Tzedek to form the Beth Tzedek synagogue, currently Canada's largest. The Beth Tzedek synagogue is currently located on Bathurst Street. The McCaul Street premises was demolished in the late 1950s.

Scope and Content

File consists of two colour drawings of a proposed new Ark for the McCaul Street Synagogue. They were drawn by Benjamin Brown as a proposal for redesigning the Ark during the 1910s. According to an interview with Brown in 1973, this ark was his first commission after he opened his office at 600 Bay St.

Notes

It is possible that Item #16 is a design of the Ark for the Beach Hebrew Institute.

Subjects

Torah arks

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

24

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

Fragile and badly torn.

Places

Bay Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

73

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1947

Physical Description

2 architectural drawings : pencil, 1 hand col., pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 55 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Scope and Content

File consists of floor plans of additions to a factory at 104 King Street East.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Residential building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

2

File

15

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1930]

Physical Description

3 architectural drawings : 2 pencil on tracing paper , 1 pencil and hand col., pencil crayon and watercolour, on verso of blueprint ; 66 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Henry Greisman was a real estate developer and the owner of the King Suspender and Neckwear Company at 240 Richmond Street West. He lived at 104 Admiral Road.

Scope and Content

File consists of architectural drawings of three houses for Mr. H. Greisman, two of which were on Van Horne Street. The first house is two storeys with three bedrooms and the second and third houses are two storey duplexes containing two, three bedroom residences. Floor plans and elevations are included.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XXI.

Related Material

See File 49-3-40 for architectural drawings of The Spadina Building at 129 Spadina Avenue for Mr. H. Greisman.

Places

Van Horne 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

9

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1921]

Physical Description

1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on cardboard ; 42 x 54 cm

Admin History/Bio

Originally named the Cosmopolitan Club, the Primrose Club was as an elite Jewish men's club (women were allowed to join in later years) that was founded in 1909 by prominent members of the Jewish Community. The building housing the club was located at 41 Willcocks Street, and was originally built in the 1880s as the residence of the Campbell family. In 1921, the home was redesigned by Benjamin Brown and Robert McConnell as the new home of the Primrose Club. In 1959, it was appropriated by the University of Toronto and is currently the home of the University of Toronto Faculty Club. It was designated as a heritage building in 1980.

Scope and Content

File consists of an elevation drawing of the Primrose Club at 41 Willcocks Street.

Notes

See - http://magazine.utoronto.ca/feature/history-of-faculty-club-u-of-t/ - for a more detailed history of the building.

Name Access

Primrose Club (Toronto, Ont.)

Subjects

Clubs

Places

Willcocks 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

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

54

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1926

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission V.

Physical Condition

Tracing paper is torn and fragile.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

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

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

15

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935-1936

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Related Material

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

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

Places

Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions