Inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory

of Heritage Properties - 58 Sherwood Avenue (North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (May 25, 1998) from the Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board:

Purpose:

This report recommends that the property at 58 Sherwood 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 58 Sherwood 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 February, 1998, Heritage Toronto was requested to consider the property at 58 Sherwood Avenue for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The property owners made the request, supplemented by historical research for the property.

As outlined in the attached report to the Board of Heritage Toronto (May 11, 1998), 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:

At its meeting of May 20, 1998, the Board of Heritage Toronto recommended that the property be added to the Inventory of Heritage Properties. The property at 58 Sherwood Avenue (The Sherwood Apartments) is identified for architectural reasons as a well-designed example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style and a visible feature on Sherwood Avenue in the North Toronto neighbourhood.

Conclusion:

Heritage Toronto recommends that City Council include the property at 58 Sherwood 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

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(Report dated May 11, 1998 from the Managing Director, Heritage Torontoaddressed to the Chair and Members, Toronto Historical Board)

Recommendation:

That the property at 58 Sherwood Avenue (The Sherwood Apartments) be recommended for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.

Comments:

1.Background:

In a letter dated February 26, 1998, the vice president of the Board of Directors of the 58 Sherwood Avenue Co-Ownership Inc. requested that the property at 58 Sherwood Avenue (The Sherwood Apartments) be included on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties.

2.Discussion:

The property at 58 Sherwood Avenue was evaluated according to the Board's criteria which indicates that it is worthy of inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties as a Neighbourhood Heritage property.

A Property Research Summary is attached.

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HERITAGE TORONTO

PROPERTY RESEARCH SUMMARY

Basic Building Data:

Address:58 Sherwood Avenue (north side of Sherwood Avenue between Yonge Street and Mount Pleasant Road)

Ward:22

Current Name:not applicable

Historical Name:The Sherwood Apartments

Construction Date:1928

Architect:Kaplan and Sprachman

Contractor/Builder:W. Pidgeon and Sons Limited

Additions/Alterations:window sash replaced

Original Owner:W. Pidgeon and Sons Limited

Original Use:residential (apartment building)

Current Use*:residential (cooperative)

Heritage Category:Neighbourhood Heritage Property (Category C)

Recording Date:May 1998

Recorder:HPD:KA

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

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Property Research Summary

Description:

The property at 58 Sherwood Avenue is identified for architectural reasons. The Sherwood Apartments were constructed in 1928 according to the designs of Toronto architects Kaplan and Sprachman. W. Pidgeon and Sons Limited were both the developers and the contractors for the project. Albert E. Pidgeon, a member of the firm, occupied a unit. The 58 Sherwood Avenue Co-Ownership Inc., with individually owned units, acquired the building in 1990.

The Sherwood Apartments are designed in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, identified by the red clay tile roofs, curvilinear gable, round-arched openings, and stone details imitating adobe stucco. The I-shaped three-storey plan is covered by a hipped tiled roof with gables on the south face and double chimneys on the east, south and west ends. The principal (south) facade on Sherwood Avenue is symmetrically organized in three parts. The centre section contains the main entrance at ground level. A projecting entrance porch has a red tile roof supported on brick piers. A round-arched stone-clad opening contains a single wood door with multi-paned sash and arched sidelights with single panes. Iron light fixtures in the shape of griffins holding globe lights are placed on either side of the entrance. A two-storey round-arched window opening over the entrance lights the interior stairwell. Pairs of rectangular windows are separated by a spandrel and surmounted by an arched transom with leaded glass. On either side of the entrance bay, each of the three stories has single flat-headed windows with brick lintels and extended stone sills. The centre of the wall is topped by a curved gable with corbelled brick and stone coping. The end sections of the south wall have flat-headed window openings, organized in pairs and threes and linked by continuous sills. Trios of round-arched window openings mark the third storey. Above, the gable ends of the roof have stone corbels and brackets. The end walls of the south wing are devoid of openings. The north extension of the building has red brick cladding and regularly spaced fenestration. On the interior, the entrance hall with its ceramic tile floor and the wood staircase are important features.

The property at 58 Sherwood Avenue is located on the north side of the street, midway between Yonge Street and Mount Pleasant Road. It is set on landscaped grounds on a tree-lined street. It is a well-designed example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style and a visible feature amid the mainly single residential buildings on Sherwood Avenue in the North Toronto neighbourhood.

(Copies of map and photographs attached hereto, are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)