Inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of
Heritage Properties - 2928 Dundas Street West (High Park)
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 2928 Dundas Street West 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 2928 Dundas Street West 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, Heritage Toronto was requested to consider the property at 2928 Dundas Street West for inclusion
on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The property owner sent a letter supporting the request.
As outlined in the attached report to the Board of Heritage Toronto (May 11, 998), 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:
The property owner appeared at the May 20, 1998 meeting of Heritage Toronto to support the request. Following
the deputation, the Board recommended that the property be added to the Inventory of Heritage Properties. The
property at 2928 Dundas Street West (a commercial building dating to 1919) is identified for architectural reasons
as an important component of the
Dundas Street commercial district in the West Toronto neighbourhood.
Conclusion:
Heritage Toronto recommends that City Council include the property at 2928 Dundas Street West 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 May 11, 1998, from the Managing Director, Heritage Toronto,addressed to the Chair and Members,
Toronto Historical Board)
Recommendation
That the property at 2928 Dundas Street West be recommended for inclusion on the City of Toronto Inventory of
Heritage Properties.
Comments
1.Background:
In a letter dated March 27, 1998, the president of the West Toronto Junction Historical Society requested that the
property at 2928 Dundas Street West be included on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties. The
president of the Toronto Region Architectural Conservancy and the property owner have sent letters supporting the
request.
2.Discussion:
The property at 2928 Dundas Street West was evaluated according to the Board's criteria which indicates that it
worthy of inclusion on the Inventory of Heritage Properties is a Neighbourhood Heritage Property.
A Property Research Summary is attached.
--------
HERITAGE TORONTO
PROPERTY RESEARCH SUMMARY
Basic Building Data:
Address:2928 Dundas Street West (north side of Dundas Street West between Keele Street and Pacific Avenue)
Ward:21
Current Name:not applicable
Historical Name:William Speers Building
Construction Date:1919
Architect:Smith and Wright, architects
Contractor/Builder:none found
Additions/Alterations:date unknown, minor alterations to shopfront
Original Owner:William Speers, undertaker
Original Use:commercial (with residential above)
Current Use*:commercial (with residential above)
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
--------
Property Research Summary
Description:
The property at 2928 Dundas Street West is identified for architectural reasons. In 1919, the architectural firm of
Smith and Wright designed a commercial building for the Dundas Street property of William Speers. Speers resided
on-site while operating his undertaking business in a neighbouring building.
The William Speers Building displays the Classical detailing favoured for commercial structures in the early 20th
century. Rising three stories, the structure is clad with brick and trimmed with cast stone. On the principal (south)
facade, the wall projects in two sections which are connected by stone corbels. The ground floor features a shopfront
where a recessed entrance is placed between two display windows with plate glass set in metal frames. At the west
end, a single door topped by a leaded-glass transom provides access to the upper stories. The second and third floors
have oversized window openings, set in stone surrounds and containing sliding sash windows. The openings are
separated by a brick spandrel and surmounted by corbelled brickwork. At the top of the wall, a brick parapet is
trimmed with stone. In the centre of the parapet, a decorative stone element contains a date stone marked "1919 A.
D." and a shield motif. The side walls rise above the two-storey commercial buildings flanking this property. The
west wall abuts the adjacent building, while the east wall is separated from the neighbouring building by a narrow
laneway.
The property at 2928 Dundas Street West is located on the north side of the street, midway between Keele Street
and Pacific Avenue. It terminates the view looking north from Medland Street. With its height and surviving
features, the William Speers Building stands out in the block. It is an important component of the Dundas Street
commercial district in the West Toronto neighbourhood.
(Copies of map and photographs attached hereto, are on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
