TORONTO

 June 29, 1998

 To:City of Toronto Community Council

 From:Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board

 Subject:Inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties -- 2549 Dundas Street West (John Shelley Turner House)

 Purpose:

 This report recommends that the property at 2549 Dundas Street West (John Shelley Turner House) be included on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 Not applicable.

 Recommendations:

1. That City Council include the property at 2549 Dundas Street West (John Shelley Turner House) on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.

 2.That the appropriate officials be authorized to take whatever action is necessary to give effect hereto.

 Background:

 In March, 1998, the West Toronto Junction Historical Society requested Heritage Toronto to consider the property at 2549 Dundas Street West (John Shelley Turner House) as a candidate for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The request followed a public meeting at which the proposed redevelopment of the property was discussed. The Toronto Region Architectural Conservancy and the Bloor-Junction Neighbourhood Coalition wrote letters supporting the request.

 At its meeting of June 17, 1998, the Board of Heritage Toronto had before it a staff report recommending against listing. However, after hearing deputations and reviewing submitted materials, the Board of Heritage Toronto decided to recommend that the property be included on the Inventory of Heritage Properties. The owner, who was notified about the request in a letter dated May 29, 1998, has not objected to the proposed inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties.

 Plans for the redevelopment of the property have been submitted that would demolish the house. The application to sever the site was turned down at the Committee of Adjustment and is being appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board. A hearing has been scheduled for August 18, 1998.

 The property at 2549 Dundas Street West is worthy of inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties.

 Comments:

 The property at 2549 Dundas Street West contains a house built in 1901 by John Shelley Turner, a local contractor who resided on-site until 1909. The house is noted for its elaborate terra cotta detailing. It is a unique feature on Dundas Street West, north of Bloor Street, in the West Toronto Junction neighbourhood.

 A Property Research Summary prepared by Heritage Toronto staff is attached. Also, information provided to Heritage Toronto by the West Toronto Junction Historical Society is submitted for the Community Council's consideration.

 As requested by the Board of Heritage Toronto, a draft copy of this report was provided to the West Toronto Junction Historical Society for review and comment. Heritage Toronto staff acknowledge their helpful comments.

 Conclusion:

 Heritage Toronto recommends that City Council include the property at 2549 Dundas Street West on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties as a Streetscape Property (Category D).

 Contact Name:

 Ms. Kathryn Anderson

Preservation Officer, Historical Preservation Division, Toronto Historical Board

Tel: 392-6827, ext. 239

Fax: 392-6834

George E. Waters,

Acting Managing Director

 RS/KA

 (g:\report\1998\cc98\cc98020.thb)

 copy:Councillor Betty Disero, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Suite 11, Toronto, M5H 2N2

 Councillor Dennis Fotinos, Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Suite 222, Toronto, M5V 3C6

   HERITAGE TORONTO

 PROPERTY RESEARCH SUMMARY

 Basic Building Data:

 Address:2549 Dundas Street West (west side of Dundas Street West between Jerome Street and Kenneth Avenue)

 Ward:21

 Current Name:not applicable

 Historical Name:John Shelley Turner House

 Construction Date:1901

 Architect:none found

 Contractor/Builder:John Shelley Turner, contractor

 Additions/

Alterations:dates unknown, single-storey shed-roof verandah (now enclosed) added on south wall; entrance converted to window opening on north wall; shed-roof dormer added to south slope of roof; window sash replaced

 Original Owner:John Shelley Turner, contractor

 Original Use:Residential (single detached house)

 Current Use*:Residential (single detached house)

 Heritage Category:Streetscape Property (Category D)

 Recording Date:June 1998

 Recorder:HPD:KA

 *this does not refer to permitted use(s) as defined in the Zoning By-law

 Property Research Summary

 Description:

 The property at 2549 Dundas Street West is identified for architectural reasons. The house was constructed in 1901 by John Shelley Turner, a contractor who was responsible for many buildings in the West Toronto Junction neighbourhood, including the Annette Street Baptist Church at 200 Annette Street. Turner resided at 2549 Dundas Street West until 1909.

 The John Shelley Turner House is highlighted with terra cotta trim. The 2½-storey wood frame house has brick cladding on the principal (east) facade and north and west (rear) walls. Its rectangular plan is covered by a gable roof with pedimented gables on the east and south faces. The gable ends are clad with shingles and each contains a single window opening. On the principal (east) façade, decorative terra cotta detailing is applied in elaborate floral panels and a series of string courses in geometrical, floral and basketweave patterns. The main entrance is positioned in the lower storey and decorated with brick voussoirs, label stops and a keystone. On either side of the entry, two flat-headed window openings of different sizes are trimmed with brick sills and terra cotta label stops with floral and animal motifs. The smaller of the two openings has an elaborate terra cotta panel above. The second storey contains a pair of flat-headed window openings. The terra cotta detailing wraps around the side walls (north and south) where the pattern of flat-headed window openings with brick and terra cotta trim continues. The rear (west) wall has a round-arched window opening.

 The property at 2549 Dundas Street West is located on the west side of Dundas Street, north of Bloor Street West and between Jerome Street and Kenneth Avenue. A neighbouring house at 20 Jerome Street, also constructed by Turner and clad with decorated terra cotta panels, is included on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. With its elaborate terra cotta detailing, the John Shelley Turner House is a unique element on Dundas Street in the West Toronto Junction neighbourhood.