- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 27
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- [ca.1910]-1968
- Physical Description
- 345 architectural drawings and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- Harold Solomon Kaplan (1895-1973) was a Toronto-based architect who, in partnership with Abraham Sprachman in the firm Kaplan & Sprachman, was well-known for the design of Art deco and Art moderne movie theatres in the 1930s and 1940s and for designing buildings for Jewish communities across Canada from the 1930s to the 1960s.
- Kaplan was born 10 Sept. 1895, in Bucharest, Romania. At the age of three, he and his widowed mother, Tillie Hohan, moved to London, England, and in 1902 they moved to Toronto where his mother subsequently married Frank Kaplan. While in his teens, Kaplan spent time in Philadelphia living with an uncle and studying draftsmanship. Upon returning to Toronto, Kaplan attended Toronto Technical School where he took courses in architecture and building construction. He also served an apprenticeship with the architect Henry Simpson. In 1919-1920, Kaplan worked for the firm of Page & Warrington, before establishing Kaplan & Sprachman with Abraham Sprachman in 1922. In 1923, he married Dorothy Spain. They had two daughters, Phyllis (Pepper) and Ruthetta (Reiss).
- Kaplan & Sprachman were best known for their more than 300 movie theatre projects completed from the 1920s to the 1960s, designing and renovating theatres across Canada in progressive "modern" styles and using innovative building materials. In 1937, they were awarded the bronze medal in the Sixth Biennial Toronto Exhibition for their interiors to the Eglinton Theatre (400 Eglinton Ave. W.) in Toronto, considered to be the finest example of their Art deco design work.
- Over the course of their careers, they designed many synagogues for the Jewish community, such as the Anshei Minsk and Shaarei Shomayim synagogues in Toronto, Beth Israel Synagogue, Edmonton, and Beth Israel Synagogue in Vancouver. They also designed the new Mount Sinai Hospital, the Oakdale Golf & Country Club, the Jewish Home for the Aged (Baycrest), and the Jewish Community Centres of Toronto and Hamilton. Their design for the Oakdale Golf & Country Club was chosen as a Canadian entrant in the Arts Competition of the 14th Olympic Games in London, 1948.
- In addition to the projects already mentioned, Kaplan & Sprachman worked on retail stores, warehouses and factories, apartment buildings, and single family residences. Their partnership continued until 1965, when the firm of Kaplan & Sprachman was dissolved as of 30 October 1965. Kaplan continued to work as an architectural consultant for several years after this date. Harold Kaplan died 1 April 1973 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- Kaplan was a member of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, the Ontario Association of Architects, and the Province of Quebec Association of Architects. Kaplan & Sprachman's contribution to the architecture profession was recognized by the Ontario Association of Architects when both Kaplan's and Abraham Sprachman's names were entered on the Honor Roll for prominent members of the profession, established by the association in 1989.
- Scope and Content
- The fonds documents Kaplan's work as an architect from the 1930s to the 1960s with Kaplan & Sprachman and some of the consulting work he undertook after the dissolution of the partnership in 1965, primarily through architectural drawings and photographs. The preponderance of the materials relates to a series of renovations of Loew's Yonge Street Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto, now the Elgin Theatre) and the Uptown Theatre (764 Yonge St., Toronto, just South of Bloor St.) between the 1930s and 1960s, and Kaplan & Sprachman's design of the Primrose Club (Russell Hill Rd at St. Clair Ave., Toronto) in 1958-1959. There is also a large number of photographs by commercial photographers of movie theatres designed or renovated by Kaplan & Sprachman.
- Project records are arranged chronologically, with sub-sub-series defined for successive projects at the same site. Some of the materials document project proposals which were not carried out (e.g., proposed renovations of the Winter Garden Theatre).
- Other series in the fonds contain business correspondence and newspaper clippings concerning Kaplan & Sprachman projects, and a small amount of personal material such as family photographs, awards Kaplan received over the years for his design work and a colour photocopy of the invitation to Kaplan's stag party in 1923.
- Notes
- Includes: 132 photographs (131 b&w, including 8 negatives; 1 col.), 8 cm of textual records, and 1 bronze medal.
- Name Access
- Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973
- Kaplan & Sprachman (Firm)
- Loew's Yonge Street Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
- Primrose Club (Toronto, Ont.)
- Uptown Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
- Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
- Physical Condition
- Some of the blueprints and drawings are torn or water-damaged. All of the architectural drawings are currently stored in rolls.
- Related Material
- Accession 2003-7-1 contains additional photographs of buildings designed or renovated by Kaplan & Sprachman, as well as a copy of a published inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman movie theatre projects, compiled by Mandel Sprachman from Kaplan & Sprachman records
- Mina Sprachman, widow of Abraham Sprachman, discusses Kaplan & Sprachman in oral history recording AC-142
- Kaplan & Sprachman records can also be found in the Mandel Sprachman fonds, at the City of Toronto Archives
- Creator
- Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- 2004-3-4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- graphic material
- textual record
- Date
- 1913-1968
- Physical Description
- 348 architectural drawings
- 123 photographs
- 2 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- The series consists primarily of architectural drawings and photographs of buildings designed or renovated by Kaplan & Sprachman, or by Harold Kaplan following the dissolution of Kaplan & Sprachman in 1965. Many projects are documented through only a few interior and exterior photographs of the building or photographs of architectural models and drawings. The architectural drawings include floor plans, elevations, sections, mechanical and electrical plans and lot plans. Approximately a third of the drawings are originals done in pencil, while the remainder are blueprints, blueline prints and other reproductions.
- The series is organized chronologically into sub-series by the buildings worked on: Loew's Theatre, 189 Yonge Street, Toronto (now the Elgin Theatre); Loew's Uptown Theatre, 764 Yonge Street; Loew's Winter Garden Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto); the Jewish Home for the Aged; the Kaplans' homes in North York and in an apartment or condominium bulding, Park Towers; Atlas Radio Corporation; R.J. Sapera's store at Sheppard Ave. E. and Willowdale Ave.; Mr. & Mrs. P. Cooper's residence (Pembroke); the Primrose Club, Russell Hill Rd. & St. Clair Ave., Toronto; Precast Building Products (Vaughn Township); Thorncliffe Theatre (East York); and, Mr. & Mrs. S. Greenberg's residence, 19 Dellbank Drive.
- Sub-sub-series are defined for the series of projects undertaken at Loew's Theatre, and at the Uptown Theatre. These sub-sub-series are organized by the original project reference code or by date when a reference code is not available.
- In some cases, the project materials include plans prepared by other architects who carried out earlier work on the building in question, or by contractors for Kaplan & Sprachman projects. The sub-sub-series for Uptown Theatre projects includes, for example, photostatic reproductions of the 1919 theatre plans by Thomas W. Lamb.
- Notes
- The Thorncliffe Theatre plans were created by Mandel Sprachman, architect, son of Abraham Sprachman. Harold Kaplan's role in this project is not known.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 1
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1927
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 14 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of storefront.
- Notes
- Title based on content of photograph and an inscription.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1934?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on the content of the photograph, inscriptions on the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
- Name Access
- Pringle & Booth
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 3
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1931]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 15 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the theatre in early stages of construction.
- Notes
- Title based on inscription on the photograph and information found in series 2 newspaper clippings.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1932]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
- Name Access
- Pringle & Booth
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 5
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1935
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1936?]
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- File contains 3 exterior shots of the theatre and 1 of the auditorium.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Three of the photographs were taken by the photographers Pringle & Booth. The fourth print is of a later date, and is from an exposure made ca. 1938, based on the release dates of the films showing at the theatre.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 7
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1935?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph, Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996), and information accompanying a reproduction of the photograph in John Sebert's book, The "nabes" (p. 81).
- Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
- Name Access
- Pringle & Booth
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Danforth Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 8
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1937?]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- One exterior shot of the theatre and one of the theatre lobby. Additional businesses featured in College Street view photograph include Altman's, Sugar Bros., Custom Tailoring, and York Furniture.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs, Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996), and information accompanying a reproduction of the photograph in John Sebert's book, The "nabes" (p. 104).
- Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
- Name Access
- Pringle & Booth
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 9
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1937?]
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm glued to sheets 22 x 28 cm
- Scope and Content
- 4 interior shots of the theatre lobby and auditorium.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Sarnia (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 10
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1940] (original exposures 1937)
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 4 interior shots of the theatre lobby and auditorium.
- Notes
- Title based on photograph content and labels attached to photographs.
- One photograph bears a stamp reading: "This photograph printed from exposure made Nov. 1937".
- Photographers: Hands Studio.
- Name Access
- Hands Studio
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Ottawa (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 11
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1937?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photograph bears inscription: "Parkdale Toronto before remodelling.".
- Photographers: Pringle & Booth.
- Name Access
- Pringle & Booth
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 12
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1937?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 13 x 18 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- The Tivoli Theatre (previously the Allen Theatre) was at 17 Richmond St. E., Toronto.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 13
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1938?]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee and interior shot of auditorium.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 14
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1939?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph.
- Location of this theatre is uncertain. Judging from the photograph in John Sebert's book, The "nabes", p. 117, it is not the Alhambra Theatre which was located at 568 Bloor St. W., Toronto.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Bloor Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 15
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1939?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph.
- Location of this theatre is uncertain. Release date for the movies showing at the theatre in this photograph was 1939, and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996) lists a Capitol Theatre project in Welland, Ont., for 1939.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Welland (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 16
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1939
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 1 exterior view of theatre marquee and 1 interior view of the theatre lobby or entrance-way.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based an inscription on one photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- The interior shot may be incorrectly identified, based on a comparison of the door designs in the two photographs. Also, the movies advertised in the lobby posters were released in 1936.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Edmonton (Alta.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 17
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1939?]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 2 exterior shots of theatre marquee, one at night and the second in daylight.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: Robertson-Steele.
- Name Access
- Robertson-Steele
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Physical Condition
- A section of one of the photographs is missing.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 18
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1939?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: Robertson-Steele.
- Name Access
- Robertson-Steele
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 19
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1939?]
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 2 exterior shots of the theatre marquee: one at night and the second during the day.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and an inscription.
- Photographers: Brigdens.
- Name Access
- Brigdens
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 20
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1939?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996) states that Kaplan & Sprachman renovated the Pylon in 1944. The probable creation date is based on the release date for the advertised movies. John Sebert's book, The "nabes", states that the Pylon was built in 1939 and designed by the architect Ben Swartz.
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of the theatre marquee.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photograph and an inscription.
- Photographers: Robertson-Steele.
- Name Access
- Robertson-Steele
- Kaplan & Sprachman (Firm)
- Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 21
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1940
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 3 exterior views of the theatre marquee (2 in daylight), and one view of the theatre lobby.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on the content of the photographs, an inscription on one of the photographs, and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: Brigdens.
- Name Access
- Brigdens
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- St. Catharines (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 22
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1940?]
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of one exterior shot of the theatre marquee, two interior shots of the auditorium, and two interior shots of the lobby.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs. This theatre is not listed in Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: C.W. Sillence & Co.
- Availability of other formats: Photographs have been scanned and are also available as digital images.
- Name Access
- C.W. Sillence & Co
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Courtenay (B.C.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 23
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1939, 1940
- Physical Description
- 7 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm and 13 x 18 cm
- Scope and Content
- 2 views of the theatre's exterior, 2 of the lobby, and 3 of the auditorium.
- 1 of the photographs taken in the lobby is a group photo of Leo Hatch (air conditioning contractor), Peter McForty (general contractor), and Harold Kaplan.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and inscriptions, and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Sault Ste. Marie (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 24
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1940
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 5 photographs of the theatre's interior: the lobby, auditorium, dressing room, and airconditioning room.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and inscriptions, and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographer: Leonard Frank Photos.
- Name Access
- Leonard Frank Photos
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Vancouver (B.C.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 25
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1940
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 11 x 13 cm
- Scope and Content
- 2 views of the theatre auditorium.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and inscriptions, and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Vancouver (B.C.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 26
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1941?]
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- One exterior shot of the theatre marquee, one of the auditorium, and two of the theatre lobby.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs and inscriptions and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: Commercial Engravers.
- Name Access
- Commercial Engravers
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Hamilton (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 27
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1941?]
- Physical Description
- 3 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 3 photographs of the theatre's interior: the auditorium, lobby, and doorway.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on content of the photographs, inscriptions and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Kingston (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 28
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1944
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 1 photograph of the theatre in an early stage of construction, and 1 photo of the balcony of the completed theatre.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on information stamped on one photograph and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Stamped information reads: Casino Theatre: to be erected at 87-95 Queen St. W. for Casino Theatre Toronto Ltd.
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Queen Street West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 29
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1944
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- 5 interior photographs: 2 of the auditorium; 2 of the lobby, showing the candy bar and an alcove; and 1 of a hallway.
- Notes
- Title and creation date based on inscriptions on the photographs and Mandel Sprachman's published Inventory of Kaplan & Sprachman theatre projects (Historic Theatres' Trust Bulletin, Spring-Summer 1996).
- Photographers: Iris McCaig.
- Name Access
- Iris McCaig
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 30
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [1948?]
- Physical Description
- 5 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographs of Kaplan & Sprachman's architectural model for the Oakdale.
- Notes
- Title based on inscription on one of the photographs.
- Photographers: Panda Photography.
- Name Access
- Panda Photography
- Subjects
- Golf
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 31
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1950]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Exterior shot of the rear of the house.
- Notes
- Title based on inscription on the photograph.
- Creation date is estimated from the time period in which Kaplan & Sprachman commissioned other work from Panda Photography.
- Photographers: Panda Photography.
- Name Access
- Panda Photography
- Subjects
- Dwellings
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Places
- Strathearn Road (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 32
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1952
- Physical Description
- 12 photographs : b&w (8 negatives) ; 21 x 26 cm and 4 x 4 cm
- Scope and Content
- 9 exterior views (including the 8 negatives), 1 of the sanctuary, and 2 of a gymnasium.
- Notes
- Title based on inscriptions on the photographs.
- Photographers: Distinctive Commercial Photography.
- Name Access
- Distinctive Commercial Photography
- Subjects
- Architecture
- Synagogues
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Places
- Edmonton (Alta.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 33
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [195-?]
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 26 x 21 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of entrance to the building.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is not held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Places
- Saint Clair Avenue West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Spadina Avenue (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 34
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 2 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm and 18 x 36 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photographs of entrance to the store and showroom.
- Notes
- Title based on content of and inscriptions on the photographs.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 35
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- Photograph of the building front.
- Notes
- Title based on content of and inscriptions on the photograph.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1
- File
- 36
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Newspaper clippings on Kaplan & Sprachman projects series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1931-1962
- Physical Description
- 3 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- The series consists of articles cut from newspapers and trade papers which mention Kaplan & Sprachman projects. The clippings range from classified-ad sized announcements from building trade papers of project plans or construction tendering, to newspaper feature articles on the openings of new or renovated movie theatres in various Ontario cities and towns. Handwriting on some of the clippings suggest that the clipping was done by Kaplan himself. The bulk of the material dates from the 1930s and 1940s. The clippings have not been placed in any order.
- Name Access
- Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973
- Physical Condition
- The newspaper clippings are in poor condition.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Family photographs and other personal materials series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 4
- Material Format
- textual record
- object
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca.1910]-[ca. 1968]
- Physical Description
- 2 cm of textual records
- 10 photographs : b&w and col. (1 negative) ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
- Scope and Content
- The series consists of the following materials:.
- 4 prize cards (9x12 cm) won by Kaplan in drafting or design competitions at the Canadian National Exhibition in 1916, 1918, and 1919.
- 5 photographs of stores on Dundas Street near Bay Street, probably dating from the mid-1910s.
- A colour photocopy of the invitation to Kaplan's stag party, 13 Dec 1923.
- A participant's medal from the 1948 Olympic Games in London, England, where Kaplan & Sprachman's design for the Oakdale Golf & Country Club was entered in the Arts Competition.
- An undated typescript of a speech given by Kaplan to the Council of Jewish Women, entitled What to look for in building or buying a home.
- 4 family photographs.
- A pamphlet and button from the Save the Eglinton Theatre Committee, and an article on the Eglinton Theatre from the Toronto Star, 26 Apr 1996. These materials were added to the fonds by Kaplan's daughter, Phyllis Pepper.
- Name Access
- Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- 2004-3-4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Family photographs and other personal materials series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 4
- File
- 2
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1915]
- Physical Description
- 6 photographs : b&w (1 negative) ; 9 x 14 cm and 10 x 12 cm
- Scope and Content
- Several views of stores on Dundas Street, including Gold's Ladies Ready-to-Wear and United Bakers.
- Notes
- Title based on content of photographs and inscriptions on the back of the photographs.
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright is in the public domain and permission for use is not required. Please credit the Ontario Jewish Archives as the source of the photograph.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Family photographs and other personal materials series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 4
- File
- 6
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- [ca. 1910], 1959, [ca. 1968]
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w and col. ; 21 x 26 or smaller
- Scope and Content
- Portrait (ca. 1910) of Frank and Tillie Kaplan with their sons, Harold Kaplan and his younger brother, Wilfred (photo #6559).
- Harold and Dorothy Kaplan at a New Years Eve party (31 Dec. 1959 - 1 Jan. 1960) at the Primrose Club (#6561).
- Harold and Dorothy Kaplan at an unidentified dinner in the late 1960s (photo #6560).
- Photograph of Kaplan taken in the late 1960s (in 2003-6-1 Box 2).
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- 2004-3-4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Loew's Uptown Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1-2
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- graphic material
- Date
- 1919-1968
- Physical Description
- 132 architectural drawings : pencil (some on tracing paper, some hand col. using pencil crayon), blueprints and other reproductions ; 76 x 106 cm or smaller
- 5 photographs : b&w ; 44 x 55 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- One of sixteen theatres in Canada designed by the well-known architect Thomas W. Lamb, the Uptown Theatre opened in 1920 as a movie and vaudeville theatre of almost 3000 seats, and was later the first theatre in Toronto equipped for sound movies. In 1960 the Uptown's main auditorium was destroyed by a major fire. Kaplan & Sprachman participated in the theatre's subsequent renovation.
- In 1969 the Uptown was split into a five screen theatre through conversion of the theatre's balcony, backstage and basement areas. The Uptown was closed and demolished in late 2003 following the 28th Annual Toronto International Film Festival after the cinema operator, Famous Players, decided to close it and other theatres rather than comply with an Ontario Human Rights Commission order to make the theatres fully wheelchair-accessible.
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of seating plans, blueprints of structural details, floor plans, sections and elevations for successive alterations (to the entrance, lobby, escalator, etc.) of the theatre, as well as several photographs of the Uptown's entrance and auditorium. The sub-series includes a number of hand-coloured drawings of the main auditorium dating from 1962, with paint and fabric samples attached, apparently associated with the re-building of the auditorium following the fire of 1960. The sub-series also includes a set of photo-reproductions of Thomas Lamb's original 1919 plans for the theatre, acquired by Kaplan & Sprachman in 1960.
- The sub-series is arranged in 9 sub-sub-series corresponding to project dates of 1919, 1936, 1945, 1949, 1960, 1962, and 1968. The final sub-sub-series relates to work done by Kaplan after the dissolution of Kaplan & Sprachman.
- In several cases, a sub-sub-series includes drawings and plans from earlier projects, used as reference materials for the current project.
- Name Access
- Lamb, Thos. W. (Thomas White), 1871-1942
- Uptown Theatre (Toronto, Ont.)
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Physical Condition
- Some drawings torn or water-damaged. Some are discoloured or damaged by deteriorating pressure-sensitive tape.
- Places
- Toronto (Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Jewish Home for the Aged sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1-4
- Material Format
- graphic material
- textual record
- Date
- 1951-1952
- Physical Description
- 21 photographs : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm and 9 x 12 cm
- 0.5 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of two files of photographs of the Jewish Home for the Aged at various stages of its construction and correspondence between Kaplan & Sprachman and the construction company, George Hardy Ltd, in which the architects request photographs of the building and construction progress.
- Notes
- Photographers: Panda Photography; Ames & Holtom; McCullagh Studio.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Correspondence with Province of Quebec Association of Architects concerning membership series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1946-1947
- Physical Description
- 0.5 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- The series consists of correspondence between Kaplan, on behalf of himself and Abraham Sprachman, and officers of the Province of Quebec Association of Architects concerning the renewal of Kaplan's and Sprachman's memberships in the association. They had resigned from the association in 1942.
- Name Access
- Kaplan, Harold S., 1895-1973
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Loew's Theatre (189 Yonge St., Toronto) sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1-1
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- textual record
- Date
- 1913-1959
- Physical Description
- 57 drawings : pencil on tracing paper, blueprints and other reproductions ; 72 x 114 cm or smaller
- 1 cm of textual records
- Admin History/Bio
- Built in 1913, Loew's Yonge Street Theatre and Winter Garden Theatre complex was the flagship of Marcus Loew's Canadian theatre chain. The theatres were designed by Thomas Lamb as a "double-decker" theatre, with the Winter Garden located seven-stories above the street-level Yonge Street Theatre. This was the only double-decker theatre built in Canada and one of less than a dozen built internationally. The design was considered economical in that it provided a greater amount of seating on a given piece of real estate while allowing the theatre operator to present the same daily show in two theatres. The shows included both vaudeville acts and silent movies.
- In 1928, there was a major fire on the site and the Winter Garden Theatre was closed due to the decline in popularity of vaudeville. By 1930, the Yonge Street Theatre was solely a movie theatre, equipped for sound movies. Over the years it gradually fell into disrepair, but continued as a movie theatre until 1981. It was renamed the Elgin Theatre in 1978.
- In 1981, the Elgin and Winter Garden were purchased by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, and in 1987 the foundation began a two and half year, $30 million restoration of the theatres. The theatres re-opened in Dec. 1989 exclusively for theatrical productions.
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of seating plans, blueprints of structural details, and floor plans, sections and elevations for successive alterations (to the entrance, lobby, basement, etc.) of the theatre. The sub-series includes a copy of a city building permit dating from 1934 for renovations carried out by Loew's Theatres Engineering Division. Some of the blueprints date from the original construction of the theatre in 1913.
- The sub-series is organized into 9 sub-sub-series, corresponding to project dates of 1913, 1919, 1934, 1939, 1949 (two projects), 1952, 1957 and 1959. The earliest materials, such as those from 1913 and 1919, were not created by Kaplan & Sprachman, but were no doubt used as reference materials for their work at the theatre.
- Please note that the blueprints of structural details such as columns and roof reinforcing beams may apply to the theatre complex as a whole, including the Winter Garden Theatre.
- Notes
- Title is derived from the formal titles of the drawings.
- Name Access
- Lamb, Thomas
- Elgin Theatre (Toronto)
- Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto)
- Subjects
- Theaters
- Physical Condition
- Some drawings are torn & damaged.
- Some are discoloured or damaged by deteriorating pressure-sensitive tape.
- Places
- Yonge Street (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Proposed new building for Atlas Radio Corporation sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1-6
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Responsibility
- Wingold Construction
- Date
- 1954
- Physical Description
- 7 drawings : blueline prints ; 84 x 108 cm or smaller
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of plans and specifications detailing factory partitions, office layout, roof framing, room finish schedule, building elevations and sections.
- Notes
- Title taken from one of the drawings.
- Wingold Construction project #542.
- Physical Condition
- Several drawings are torn and water-damaged.
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Proposed alterations to Loew's Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto) sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1-3
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Date
- 1946, 1968
- Physical Description
- 5 drawings : blueline and blackline prints ; 60 x 101 cm
- Admin History/Bio
- The Winter Garden Theatre was built in 1913-1914 and opened on 16 Feb. 1914, the upper half of a double-decker theatre complex which included Loew's Yonge Street Theatre at street-level. The theatres were designed by Thomas Lamb and were the flagship of Loew's theatre chain in Canada.
- The Winter Garden was an "atmospheric theatre", with a simulated sky and stars, columns painted to resemble tree trunks, garden scenes painted on the walls, and lanterns, blossoms and beech leaves hung from the ceiling. Performers would appear at both theatres, but the Winter Garden was considered more exclusive than Loew's Yonge Street Theatre, with fewer seats (approx. 1400), higher ticket prices and reserved seating.
- With the decline in popularity of vaudeville during the 1920s, the Winter Garden was closed in 1928. It remained closed and unused until 1981, when it and the Elgin (as the Yonge Street Theatre had been renamed) were purchased and subsequently restored by the Ontario Heritage Foundation. The theatres re-opened in Dec. 1989.
- While histories of the Winter Garden typically describe it as a "time capsule" which remained sealed and undisturbed from the time of its closing in 1928 until it was restored, the architectural drawings in this sub-series document two proposed renovations of the Winter Garden during those decades.
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of drawings for 2 proposed renovations of the theatre, by Kaplan & Sprachman in 1944, and by Harold Kaplan in 1968.
- Notes
- Project reference codes 44-K-160 (Kaplan & Sprachman), and 68-6 (Harold S. Kaplan).
- Name Access
- Lamb, Thomas
- Winter Garden Theatre (Toronto)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- Harold S. Kaplan fonds
- Architectural projects series
- Primrose Club, Russell Hill Rd. at St. Clair, Toronto, Canada sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 27
- Series
- 1-9
- Material Format
- architectural drawing
- Responsibility
- Kaplan & Sprachman, architects
- John B. Parkin & Assoc., architects & engineers
- Date
- 1959-1960
- Physical Description
- 84 drawings : blueprints and blackline prints ; 54 x 105 cm or smaller
- Admin History/Bio
- The Primrose Club was founded in Toronto in 1907 as the Cosmopolitan Club, an elite Jewish men's social club. In 1959, the club's building at 41 Willcocks Street was expropriated by the University of Toronto (and currently houses the university's Faculty Club), and the club subsequently moved to a new building at Russell Road & St. Clair, designed by Kaplan & Sprachman. It has since been demolished and a condominium has been put up in its place by Toronto developer, Ken Rotenberg.
- Scope and Content
- The sub-series consists of two sets of lot plans, floor plans, elevations, mechanical and electrical plans and various building specifications, and a set of 5 plumbing and drainage plans. The set identified by inscriptions as the "original plan" is dated 14 May 1959; the second set of "revised plans" dates from 16 Sept. 1959.
- Notes
- Kaplan & Sprachman project reference code 58-K-31.
- Name Access
- Primrose Club
- Physical Condition
- Most of the plans are water-damaged along the lower edge.
- Places
- Russell Hill Road (Toronto, Ont.)
- Saint Clair Avenue West (Toronto, Ont.)
- Accession Number
- 2003-6-1
- Source
- Archival Descriptions