Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

15

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935-1936

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Related Material

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

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

Places

Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

78

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

29

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1926

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Places

Robina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Saint Clair Avenue West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

57

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1935

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission II.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

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

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

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

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

30

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Euclid Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

41

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca. 1935]

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

Drawn on the verso of a discarded blueprint.

Places

St. Clements Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

50

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1933

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XVII.

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

26

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

[ca.1924]

Physical Description

4 architectural drawings : pencil ; 57 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. Sam Lichtman was the owner of a confectionery store at 2343 Dundas West and lived on the second floor above his store.

Scope and Content

File consists of a floor plan, a section and elevation drawings of stores and dwellings for Mr. Sam Lichtman at 2343 Dundas West.

Notes

Formerly listed as Commission XIX.

Places

Dundas Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

88

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1921-1924

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

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

Access Restriction

Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.

Repro Restriction

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile.

Source

Archival Descriptions

• 
• 

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

1

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1933

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

Tracing paper is torn.

Places

Ossington Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

16

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1936

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Repro Restriction

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

Places

Bathurst Street (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

32

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

Material is slightly torn and fragile.

Related Material

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

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

Places

Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

38

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

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

Admin History/Bio

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

Scope and Content

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

Related Material

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

Places

Brookfield Road (Toronto, Ont.)

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

7

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1919

Physical Description

6 architectural drawings : 5 pen on linen weave, 1 pencil on tracing paper ; 49 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.

Admin History/Bio

Mr. J. Pearlman was the owner of a drygoods store and residence at 261 Danforth Avenue in the 1910s. In the 1920s, Mr. Pearlman moved his residence and business to 525 Danforth Avenue.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural plans for alterations and additions to a three storey building for Mr. J. Pearlman at 261 Danforth Avenue. The first floor contained stores and a billiards room, and the second and third floors contained accommodations for a five bedroom dwelling. Floor plans, sections, elevation views, and a block plan are included. This project was one of Benjamin Brown's earlier commissions.

Places

Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

36

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1934

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Physical Condition

Material is fragile, somewhat torn.

Places

Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)

Source

Archival Descriptions

Part Of

Benjamin Brown fonds

Commercial building plans and drawings series

Level

File

Fonds

49

Series

3

File

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

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

101

Material Format

architectural drawing

Date

1930

Physical Description

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

Scope and Content

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

Notes

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

Formerly listed as Commission III and XII.

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

Physical Condition

Some drawings are torn and fragile.

Related Material

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

Source

Archival Descriptions

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

49

Material Format

architectural drawing

graphic material

Date

1929

Physical Description

10 architectural and technical drawings : 1 blueprint, 9 pencil, 1 hand col. pencil crayon, 1 on tracing paper ; 55 cm length or smaller and 7 cm diam

1 photograph : b&w ; 25 x 20 cm

Admin History/Bio

Cumberland Hall was built in the late nineteenth century. In the late 1920s, the first floor was renovated by Benjamin Brown. At that time, the building was home to Uptown Cleaners and Dyers, Rosedale Sweets Tea Rooms and the Canadian Brotherhood of Chauffeurs. The building was torn down and replaced by a large commercial building around 1967.

Scope and Content

File contains architectural drawings of alterations to the first floor of Cumberland Hall at 824 Yonge Street for University Investments Limited. Floor plans, elevation drawings and technical drawings of structural elements of the building are included. A photograph of the building exterior is also included.

Related Material

See File 49-3-101 for architectural drawings of a store and office building at the N.E. corner of College and Spadina for University Investments Limited.

Source

Archival Descriptions