Benvenuto

Simeon Janes, one of Toronto's earliest property developers (he created Toronto's Annex neighbourhood), hired the architect Stanford White (who designed Madison Square Gardens) to design his mansion. It was built in 1888, of "limestone, with deep windows and a red-tiled roof [giving it] a massive, Norman appearance." The front gate was custom made in Italy, and the name of the house means Welcome in Italian. The house was richly decorated, including some Art Nouveau murals on the billiard room walls by muralist and interior decorator Gustav Hahn.

William Mackenzie, a railway-magnate, then bought and expanded the house in 1897. It stood until 1924 when the house was sold for $240,000 and demolished to make way for more apartment buildings.

Benvenuto is just one of the many estates that have stood along "The Davenport Hill" in Toronto.

 
 

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

And you can also go up a level to see the other photos we've put under the category of Estates_and_Houses photos.

1890		Benvenuto in the snow - built for Simeon Janes 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Billiards room in Benvenuto 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Looking down from the stairs to fireplace and rugs - Benvenuto interior 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Ornate woodwork in a grand hallway of Benvenuto just west of Avenue Road 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Dining room at Benvenuto - one of the tapestries is 'Winter' 11'6" x 6'-2" -11'-7 1/2 x 2'6" 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Bas relief, art, and fountain in the conservatory at Benvenuto 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Lodge at Benvenuto - Avenue Road, w. side, s. of Edmund Ave 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Music room at Benvenuto - piano, guitar, and music stand 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Looking s. from S. H. Janes Benvenuto - Avenue Rd. at left, Cottingham St. running across centre 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1890		Wonderful carved doors upstairs in Benvenuto - interior photo 134 years ago - South Hill - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1909		Path leading up to Benvenuto on the west side of Avenue Road 115 years ago - South Hill - 1909 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910		Women on the paths and steps of the garden at Benvenuto 114 years ago - South Hill - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910		Garden at Benvenuto with path and fountain 114 years ago - South Hill - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910		Noel Marshall, Lady Mann, Mrs. McGregor Young, and other women outside Benvenuto 114 years ago - South Hill - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911		Side view of Benvenuto showing brick construction 113 years ago - South Hill - 1911 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1911		Iron gates at Benvenuto on Avenue Road - the home of Sir William MacKenzie 113 years ago - South Hill - 1911 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1912		Group with fortune teller at a Benvenuto garden party 112 years ago - South Hill - 1912 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1913		Women in costume with baskets of flowers - standing in front of Benvenuto 111 years ago - South Hill - 1913 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1916		Dancers in Greek costume with Benvenuto in the background 108 years ago - South Hill - Thursday, June 1, 1916 Link to archive record - Map location
1916		Dancers in Greek costume at a garden party at Benvenuto - Sir William Mackenzies residence 108 years ago - South Hill - Thursday, June 1, 1916 Link to archive record - Map location
1934		Looking west through a side gate at Benvenuto 90 years ago - South Hill - 1934 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)