Inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage
Properties - 359-361 Ontario Street
(James McMillan Houses)
(Don River)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (October26, 1998) from the
Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board:
Purpose:
This report recommends that the properties at 359-361 Ontario Street (James McMillan Houses) 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 properties at 359-361 Ontario Street (James McMillan Houses) 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 August, 1998, Heritage Toronto was requested to consider the property at 361 Ontario Street for inclusion on the City of
Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. Because the building is a semi-detached house, the attached report to the Board
of Heritage Toronto (October 13, 1998) recommended that the adjoining property at 359 Ontario Street also be
recommended for inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties. The owners of both properties provided letters
supporting the recommendation.
Heritage Toronto staff researched and evaluated the properties according to the Board's criteria; they are worthy of
inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties as Neighbourhood Heritage Properties (Category C).
Comments:
At its meeting of October 21, 1998, the Board of Heritage Toronto recommended that the properties be added to the
Inventory of Heritage Properties. The properties at 359-361 Ontario Street (James McMillan Houses) are identified for
architectural and historical reasons. Their mixed Gothic and Romanesque Revival features were popular in late 19th
century Toronto neighbourhoods.
Conclusion:
Heritage Toronto recommends that City Council include the properties at 359-361 Ontario Street (James McMillan
Houses) 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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(Communication (October 13, 1998) from Managing Director, Heritage Toronto)
Recommendation:
That the properties at 359-361 Ontario Street be recommended for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage
Properties.
Comments:
- Background:
In a letter dated August 21, 1998, the owners of the property at 361 Ontario Street requested that their property be included
on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. Because the building is a semi-detached house, this report
recommends that the adjoining property at 359 Ontario Street also be recommended for inclusion on the Inventory of
Heritage Properties. The owner of the property at 359 Ontario Street was notified in a letter dated October 7, 1998; no
response has been received to date.
2.Discussion:
The properties at 359-361 Ontario Street were evaluated according to the Board's criteria which indicates that they are
Neighbourhood Heritage Properties (Category C) and merit inclusion.
A Property Research Summary is attached.
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Heritage Toronto
Property Research Summary
Basic Building Data:
Address:359-361 Ontario Street (east side of Ontario Street between Dundas Street East and Gerrard Street East)
Ward:25
Current Name: not applicable
Historical Name:James McMillan Houses
Construction Date:1881-1882
Architect: none found
Contractor/Builder: none found
Additions/Alterations:#359: brick painted; south wall reclad
#361: brick painted; stained glass transoms removed
Original Owner:Joseph C. McMillan
Original Use:Residential (semi-detached houses)
Current Use*:Residential (semi-detached houses)
Heritage Category: Neighbourhood Heritage Property (Category C)
Recording Date: October 1998
Recorder:HPD:KA
* this does not refer to permitted use(s) as defined in the Zoning By-law
Property Research Summary
Description:
The properties at 359-361 Ontario Street are identified for architectural and historical reasons. The semi-detached houses
were completed in 1882 for Joseph C. McMillan. William Case, a plasterer, was the original occupant of #359, while
Daniel Cox was his neighbour at #361.
The semi-detached houses are constructed of wood, clad with brick, and trimmed with brick, stone and wood. The
2½-storey building is covered by a hipped gable roof with a central brick chimney. The principal (west) facades are
arranged as mirror images with entrances flanked by gabled frontispieces. The entrances contain panelled wood doors with
glass panels and separate transoms. Above, the second storey has round-headed window openings with brick voussoirs and
keystones. The frontispieces contain segmental-arched window openings with transoms and voussoirs with label stops in
the first and second stories. Half-round window openings light the attic level beneath gables with moulded bargeboard. All
of the window openings display sandstone sills with brick panels beneath. On the side (north and south) walls, the
openings are arranged according to the interior layout. The rear (east) tails are not identified as important heritage
elements.
The properties at 359-361 Ontario Street are located on the east side of the street between Dundas Street East and Gerrard
Street East. The semi-detached houses are characteristic of the residential buildings with mixed Gothic and Romanesque
Revival features popularized in late 19th century Toronto neighbourhoods.
Insert Table/Map No. 1
359-361 Ontario Street
Insert Table/Map No. 2
359-361 Ontario Street
