Inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of
Heritage Properties - 145 Annette Street
(Annette Library) (High Park)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (August25, 1998) from the
Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board:
Purpose:
This report recommends that the property at 145 Annette Street (Annette Library) 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 state its intention to include the property at 145 Annette Street (Annette Library) 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 October, 1996, the Toronto Historical Board (now known as Heritage Toronto) was requested to consider the property at
145 Annette Street (Annette Library) for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The property
owner was advised of the request and wrote a letter supporting the inclusion of the property on the Inventory of Heritage
Properties.
As outlined in the attached report to the Toronto Historical Board (dated November 26, 1996), staff researched and
evaluated the property according to the Board's criteria; it is worthy of inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties as
a Neighbourhood Heritage Property (Category C).
Comments:
At its meeting of December 11, 1996, the Board recommended that the property be recommended for inclusion on the City
of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The property at 145 Annette Street (Annette Library) is identified for
architectural and historical reasons as the first public library built in West Toronto, a well-detailed example of Edwardian
Classicism, and an important feature on Annette Street in the West Toronto neighbourhood.
Conclusion:
Heritage Toronto recommends that City Council include the property at 145 Annette Street (Annette Library) on the City of
Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.
Contact Name:
Ms. Kathryn Anderson
Preservation Officer, Historical Preservation Division, Toronto Historical Board
Tel: 392-6827, ext. 239
Fax: 392-6834
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(Report dated November 26, 1996, from the Acting Managing Director,
Toronto Historical Board, addressed to the Toronto Historical Board
Recommendation
That the property at 145 Annette Street (Annette Library) be recommended for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory
of Heritage Properties.
Comments
1.Background:
In a letter dated October 8, 1996, Ms. Diana Fancher, President of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society, requested
that the property at 145 Annette Street, known as the Annette Library, be considered for inclusion on the Inventory.
The Toronto Public Library was notified of this request in a letter dated October 21, 1996. In a letter dated November 22,
1996, the Toronto Public Library indicated that it supports inclusion.
2.Discussion:
A Property Research Summary is attached.
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Toronto Historical Board
Property Research Summary
Address:145 Annette Street (southwest corner of Annette and Medland Streets)
Ward:19
Current Name:Annette Library (Annette Street Branch, Toronto Public Library)
Historical Name:West Toronto Public Library
Construction Date:1908-09
Architect:Ellis and Connery
Contractor/Builder:Teagle and Son
Additions/
Alterations:1955, stone cornice removed and cement cornice added; 1962, interior renovations;
1979-1980, vestibule redesigned, entrance glazed, addition added to west side of building, and accessibility ramps added to
north facade, Sillaste and Nakashima Architects
Original Owner:West Toronto Public Library Board
Original use:Public (library)
Current Use:*Public (library)
Heritage Category:Neighbourhood Heritage Property (Category C)
Recording Date:November 1996; revised August 1998
Recorder:HPD: JC/KA
* this does not refer to permitted use(s) as defined in the Zoning By-law
Description:
The property at 145 Annette Street is identified for architectural and historical reasons. The Annette Library was
constructed in 1908-1909 according to the designs of the Toronto architectural firm of Ellis and Connery. Originally known
as the West Toronto Public Library, its construction was partially funded by American steel magnate and philanthropist
Andrew Carnegie.
The Annette Library is designed with features of Edwardian Classicism. Clad with orange-red brick and embellished with
Ohio sandstone, the building rises one extended storey above a raised basement. The irregularly-shaped plan has projecting
sections on the principal (north) and rear (south) facades. The building is covered by a flat roof with chimneys on the south
slope. A stone cornice wraps around all four walls, while a continuous band course separates the basement level from the
main floor.
On the principal facade, a projecting entrance block with a parapet is flanked by one-bay wings.
The entrance block is divided into three bays by Corinthian columns. The main entrance is centered in the wall. A stone
doorcase with a broken pediment and keystone contains double doors. Above, a pair of flat-headed window openings are
set in a stone surround with quoins and a keystone. On either side of the entrance, single flat-headed window openings are
set midway in the wall and decorated with stone voussoirs, keystones and sills. The basement level has single window
openings with stone lintels and sills. On either side of the entrance block, each wing is bounded by brick pilasters with
stone capitals. In the main storey, a large single window opening has a stone surround with a lintel, keystone, quoins and
sill, and contains a tripartite windows with transoms. A smaller version of the same opening is placed in the basement level.
The east wall facing Medland Street is similarly decorated with brick pilasters and two flat-headed window openings with
stone detailing in the basement and main levels. On the west end of the building, a single-storey addition has
complementary detailing but is not included as a significant heritage feature. The rear (south) elevation has a projecting
centre bay with two pairs of segmentally arched window openings flanked by brick pilasters and ornamented by stone sills
and voussoirs.
Situated on the southwest corner of Annette and Medland Streets, the Annette Library is one of four Carnegie libraries
constructed in the City of Toronto. A good example of Edwardian Classicism, it is integral component of a streetscape of
prominent churches, residences and public buildings in the West Toronto neighbourhood.
Insert Table/Map No. 1
145 Annette Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
145 Annette Street