- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 75
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1919-1924
- Physical Description
- 20 architectural drawings : 7 blueprints, 13 pencil, some on tracing paper ; 45 cm length or smaller and 8 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- The Mavety Theatre was located at 215 Mavety Street, which is near the intersection of Dundas and Keele. In 1919, Joe Nevin created plans to convert the theatre into a cinema. In 1924, Benjamin Brown was commissioned by Mr. R. Thornton to make alterations to the theatre. It is unknown if these plans were implemented. The theatre was the site of several political rallies promoting workers' rights in the 1920s.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to the Mavety Theatre. In addition to Benjamin Brown's drawings, file also includes proposed plans to convert the theatre into a cinema drawn by architect Joe Nevin. Floor plans, sections, detailing and elevation drawings are included.
- Notes
- Due to the poor condition of these drawings, the description is partially based on the item level descriptions created by Steve Speisman.
- Name Access
- Mavety Theatre
- Thornton, R.
- Access Restriction
- Closed. Records are closed for conservation reasons.
- Physical Condition
- Material is fragile and badly torn.
- Related Material
- See File 49-5-11 for architectural plans designed by Herbert G. Duerr of a theatre on Kingston Road.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 52
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1933
- Physical Description
- 4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 40 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- The Colonial Theatre was established in 1919 and occupied the main floor of the Franklin Building, across the street from Old Toronto City Hall. It was owned an operated by Henry Franklin. The theatre was later renamed the Bay Theatre and closed in 1965. The building itself was torn down shortly thereafter. The site is currently occupied by the Simpson Building.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of plans of the balcony, gallery, lobby and foyer.
- Physical Condition
- Poor condition, plans badly torn.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 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
- 20
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- [ca. 1930]
- Physical Description
- 2 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper, 1 hand col. pencil crayon ; 39 cm length and 4 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Located at 605 Danforth (Danforth and Gough), the Iola Theatre operated as a movie theatre until closing in 1954.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of floor plans and elevations of the Iola Theatre, located at 605 Danforth. These drawings are probably related to a proposed renovation. An incomplete elevation of the Iola Theatre drawn by A. A. Abraham is also included.
- Physical Condition
- Material is fragile and torn.
- Related Material
- See File 49-5-11 for architectural plans designed by Herbert G. Duerr of a theatre on Kingston Road.
- 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
- 104
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1921-1922
- Physical Description
- 27 architectural and technical drawings : 26 blueprints, 1 pencil and paint ; 81 cm length or smaller and 9 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Located at 285 Spadina Avenue, the Standard Theatre was the first purpose-built Yiddish theatre in Canada. Described as the finest Yiddish theatre in North America, it contained seating for 1500 and included a balcony. The Standard held its opening performance and ceremony on August 31, 1922. It became the site of a variety of Yiddish plays, musical performances and other entertainment. The theatre was also the scene of political activity during this period, including a 1929 gathering to commemorate the death of Lenin. In 1935, due to poor attendance, the theatre was converted into a movie theatre renamed the Strand. Over the next several decades, the theatre was used for a variety of purposes, including as a Chinese movie house and even as a burlesque house for a time. Most recently, the main floor of the building has been converted into a bank, while the upper balcony has been closed. The Standard was designated as a heritage building in 2007.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings by J. M. Jeffrey of the Standard Theatre located at 285 Spadina Avenue. Elevations, floor plans, sections, detailing, a heating plan, a roof plan, a colour drawing of a theatre sign and technical drawings of structural elements of the building are included. These drawings are the original permit plans that would have been used onsite during construction. Although Jeffrey is the name on the drawings, Benjamin Brown has also been credited as the architect for the theatre according to an August 31, 1922 Globe and Mail article detailing the opening night.
- Name Access
- Jeffrey, J. M.
- Standard Theatre
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Physical Condition
- Drawings are torn and wrinkled. A conservator should examine these drawings before further handling.
- 2023-11-28: Some drawings are still very fragile after conservation treatments. They should be handled with extreme care.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 2
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- [ca.1934]
- Physical Description
- 5 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 4 pencil, 1 on tracing paper ; 48 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Established in 1898, National Trust was a financial institution that managed the assets of trust funds and estates. It was headquartered at 20 King St. E., and merged with Scotiabank in 1997.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of floor plans, sections and elevation drawings of a two storey building for National Trust at 28 Atlantic Avenue.
- Places
- Atlantic Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 25
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1949
- Physical Description
- 3 architectural drawings : 2 blueprints, 1 pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 19 x 30 cm (folded)
- Admin History/Bio
- The Imperial Bank of Canada, which was founded in 1875, became one of the primary banking establishments in Canada. The bank underwent several mergers during its history. It merged with the Niagara District Bank in 1875, the Weyburn Security Bank in 1931, and Barclays Bank in 1956. The bank finally merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1961 to form the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.
- Scope and Content
- File contains floor plans for proposed alterations to a branch office of the Imperial Bank of Canada at 21 Dundas Square.
- Physical Condition
- Some rust on blueprints.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 12
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1934
- Physical Description
- 1 architectural drawing : pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on tracing paper ; 44 cm length and 4 cm diam.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of a two storey building that was converted into a hotel, situated at 628-632 Bloor St. West. Floor plans and an elevation drawing are included.
- Notes
- Formerly listed as Commission XXVI.
- Physical Condition
- Material is fragile.
- 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
- 14
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1934
- Physical Description
- 1 architectural drawing : pencil on tracing paper ; 54 cm length and 5 cm diam.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of "The Alps" restaurant at 2872 Dundas Street West. Included are two elevation drawings and a floor plan on a single sheet.
- Physical Condition
- Drawings are fragile and torn.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Reference materials series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 5
- File
- 11
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1936
- Physical Description
- 6 architectural drawings : blueprints ; 50 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of elevations, detailing, a foundation plan and floor plans.
- Notes
- Building was designed by Herbert G. Duerr.
- Places
- Kingston Road (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 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
- 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
- 5
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1929
- Physical Description
- 8 architectural drawings : 1 blueprint, 7 pencil on tracing paper, some hand col. pencil crayon ; 44 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Mr. Joseph Goldenberg was the owner of a dwelling and kosher restaurant located at 63 Elizabeth Street. After selling it in 1925, he purchased a new kosher restaurant at 275 Spadina Avenue. Alterations and additions to the restaurant were made in 1929 and 1934 respectively.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of several floor plans and elevation drawings.
- Related Material
- See File 49-3-84 for the architectural drawings of the 1934 alterations to Mr. Goldenberg's restaurant at 275 Spadina Avenue.
- Places
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 11
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1934-1935
- Physical Description
- 4 architectural drawings : pencil on tracing paper ; 46 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of proposed alterations to the Calanco-Tywon Hotel at 78-80 Centre Avenue. The hotel was a two storey structure located in Chinatown near Dundas and University. Floors plans and elevation drawings are included.
- Notes
- Formerly listed as Commission XXV.
- Physical Condition
- Material is fragile.
- Places
- Centre Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 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
- 18
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1948
- Physical Description
- 4 architectural drawings : 3 pencil on tracing paper, 1 pen ; 55 cm length or smaller and 4 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- Union Bakery was a large Jewish bakery owned by Abraham Stancer. The bakery was previously known as Stancer Brothers.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of proposed alterations to a two story building for Union Bakery Co. at 779 Dundas St. West. Several floor plans and sections are included.
- Related Material
- See Photo #1511 for a photo of Abraham Stancer.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 64
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1935
- Physical Description
- 6 architectural drawings : 3 blueprints, 2 pencil on tracing paper, 1 pencil and hand col. pencil crayon on verso of blueprint ; 56 cm length or smaller and 5 cm diam.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of alterations to a two storey building located at 123-125 Yonge Street for Arcade Florists Limited, which was owned by George and Ben Yavner. Sections, elevation drawings and floor plans are included.
- Notes
- One drawing is located on the verso of a discarded blueprint.
- Formerly listed as Commission XIII.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 47
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1935
- Physical Description
- 1 architectural drawing : pencil ; 64 cm length and 5 cm diam.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of proposed alterations to a three storey hotel for Mr. E. Orlando at 636-638 Danforth Avenue. Floor plans and elevations are included.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 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
- 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
- 85
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1934-1935
- Physical Description
- 8 architectural drawings : pencil, some hand col., pencil crayon and watercolour on tracing paper ; 72 x 69 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- Doctor Leon J. Solway and Doctor Maurice Pollock were two of the earliest Jewish doctors to practice in Toronto.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of additions and alterations to the offices of Doctor Leon J. Solway (a cardiologist) and Doctor Maurice Pollock (a general practitioner) at 425 Bloor Street West. Sections, floor plans and elevation drawings are included.
- 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
- Condition is poor, several drawings are badly torn.
- Related Material
- See File 49-5-12 for Kaplan and Sprachman's designs of the building.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 94
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1923-1926
- Physical Description
- 66 architectural drawings : 16 blueprints, 50 pencil on tracing paper ; 79 cm length or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- The Empire Clothing Company, co-owned by Mr. William Leibel and Mr. A. M. Schiffer, manufactured men's clothing and sold it wholesale. Leibel and Schiffer were also close neighbors, living only a few houses apart. The headquarters of Empire Clothing was located at 197/199 Spadina Avenue.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings for additions and alterations to the office headquarters of the Empire Clothing Company at 197/199 Spadina Avenue. Elevations, detailing, sections, floor plans and a roof plan are included. Also included are the drawings for the original factory, completed by Brown in 1923.
- Notes
- Due to the fragility of these drawings, the description and extent are partially based on Speisman's earlier item level descriptions. The drawings are contained in two rolls.
- ACCESS RESTRICTION NOTE: Researchers wishing to access interior drawings must be granted written permission by the property owner.
- Access Restriction
- Partially closed. Researchers must receive permission from the OJA director prior to accessing some of the records.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. Please contact the archives to obtain permission prior to use.
- Physical Condition
- Drawings are fragile and torn.
- Related Material
- See File 49-2-4 for plans of private garage for Mr. A. M. Schiffer.
- See File 49-2-6 for plans of alterations to home of Mr. William Leibel.
- See File 49-3-69 for plans of a building for Empire Clothing at Spadina Avenue and Adelaide Street.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Benjamin Brown fonds
- Commercial building plans and drawings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 49
- Series
- 3
- File
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 72
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- [ca.1940]
- Physical Description
- 5 architectural drawings : 2 blueprints, 3 pencil on tracing paper ; 78 cm length or smaller and 6 cm diam.
- Admin History/Bio
- The Jolly Miller Hotel is a designated heritage building that was built in the late 1850s by the Hogg family. It is currently known as the Miller Tavern.
- Scope and Content
- File consists of architectural drawings of additions and alterations to the two storey Jolly Miller Hotel at 3885 Yonge Street. Elevation drawings, sections, floor plans and a foundation plan are included.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions