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Inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of
Heritage Properties - 93 Balsam Avenue
(East Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1) City Council include the property at 93 Balsam Avenue on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties; and
(2) the appropriate officials be authorized to take whatever action is necessary to give effect hereto.
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested Heritage Toronto to examine the possibility of designating the property at 93 Balsam Avenue under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (February 3, 1998) from the Acting Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board:
Purpose:
This report recommends that the property at 93 Balsam Avenue 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 93 Balsam Avenue 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 November, 1997, Heritage Toronto was requested to consider the property at 93 Balsam Avenue for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The property is for sale, and there is neighbourhood concern for the future of the site.
As outlined in the attached report to the Board of Heritage Toronto (dated November 26, 1997), Heritage Toronto 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:
Representatives of the property owners appeared at the January 14, 1998 meeting of Heritage Toronto to object to the proposed listing primarily on economic grounds. Area residents spoke in support of listing. Following the deputations, the Board recommended that the property be added to the Inventory of Heritage Properties.
As a result of the meeting, the Property Research Summary was revised to clarify that the interior and the series of rear (east) additions to the original house are not included in the proposed listing.
Conclusion:
Heritage Toronto recommends that City Council include the property at 93 Balsam Avenue on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties as a Neighbourhood Heritage Property.
Contact Name:
Ms. Kathryn Anderson
Preservation Officer, Historical Preservation Division, Toronto Historical Board
Tel: 392-6827, ext. 239
Fax: 392-6834
(Report dated November 26, 1997, from the Acting Manager, Heritage Toronto, addressed to the Chair and Members of the Toronto Historical Board)
Recommendation
That the property at 93 Balsam Avenue (William J. Gardiner) be recommended for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.
Comments
1. Background:
In a letter dated November 12, 1997, the Board of Heritage Toronto is requested to consider the property at 93 Balsam Road for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The ward councillor has also written a letter of support. The owner of the property has recently died, and there is concern for the future of the site.
Staff researched and evaluated the property according to the Board's criteria which indicates that it is worthy of inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties under Neighbourhood Heritage Property (Category C).
2. Discussion:
A Property Research Summary for the property at 93 Balsam Avenue (William J. Gardiner House) is attached.
Heritage Toronto
Property Research Summary
Basic Building Data:
Address: 93 Balsam Avenue (east side of Balsam Avenue, north of Queen Street East)
Ward: 10
Current Name: not applicable
Historical Name: William J. Gardiner House
Construction Date: 1899
Architect: none found
Contractor/Builder: none found
Additions/
Alterations: three rear (east) additions, dates unknown
Original Owner: William J. Gardiner
Original Use: Residential
Current Use*: Residential
Heritage Category: Neighbourhood Heritage Property (Category C)
Recording Date: November 1997; revised January 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 93 Balsam Avenue is identified for architectural and historical reasons. Following the extension of the electric street railway along Queen Street East to Balsam Avenue in 1893, part of the latter street was registered in a plan of subdivision in 1895. The house at 93 Balsam Avenue was completed in 1899 for William J. Gardiner, a jeweller who resided on the property until 1906. The house remained vacant until 1910, when William Pepper began a 30-year tenancy. In 1940, Edward M. Caudie, a toolmaker, acquired the property. His daughter, artist Nancy Caudie Wright, resided in the house until her death in 1997.
The William J. Gardiner House is a single-storey bungalow constructed of wood frame and clad in shiplap siding. The hip roof has a brick chimney on the north slope. The roof extends over the open, raised verandah that wraps around the front (west) and side (north and south) walls of the building. The verandah has a moulded wood base and wood columns and railings. The principal (west) facade is organized symmetrically with three bays. The entrance with a panelled wood door is centred between two extended windows. The windows, flanked by shutters and containing multi-paned diamond-patterned windows, are repeated on the side walls. The south facade has a projecting bay window, and the north wall displays diminutive rectangular window openings. The interiors and the rear (east) additions to the original house are not included as significant elements.
The William J. Gardiner House is located on the east side of Balsam Avenue in the first block north of Queen Street East. With its setback on an elevated lot, modest form and wood cladding, the building stands out from its neighbours. It is indicative of the modest wood frame houses constructed when East Toronto developed as a seasonal community east of Toronto. Predating the annexation of the area by the City of Toronto in 1908, the William J. Gardiner House is an important surviving example of the early development of the Balmy Beach neighbourhood.
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, also having had before it the following communications, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk:
- (February 9, 1998) from seven residents of Balsam Avenue, submitted by Ms. Jane Campbell;
- (February 9, 1998) from four area residents, submitted by Mr. Oliver Manton;
- (February 16, 1998) from Ms. Mary Campbell;
- (February 17, 1998) from Ms. Andrea L. Burke, Davies, Ward and Beck, Barristers and Solicitors.
The following persons appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter:
- Mr. Oliver Manton, Toronto, Ontario; and
- Ms. Andrea Burke, Davies, Ward & Beck.
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