Estates and Houses

There are many famous estates and houses in Toronto. While many have been torn down over the years, some remain as a reminder of the grand streets and neighbourhoods of historic Toronto. The book by Lucy Booth Martyn, Toronto, 100 years of grandeur: the inside stories of Toronto's great homes and the people who lived there is a useful reference for 33 Toronto estates, with many photos.

Alphabetical links: A B C F G I J M N R S T

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.

1883
to
1979

Campbell House

The oldest house in Toronto from the original Town of York. Built in 1822 on Adelaide Street East, it was moved to Queen and University in the 1970s. ...more

Follow this link to our 8 entries, dated from 1883 to 1979 related to Campbell_House

1909
to
1929

Ardwold - Sir John Craig Eaton and Lady Eaton

Ardwold was the home of Sir John Craig Eaton and Lady Eaton - the name means "high green hill" in gaelic. Built in 1911, it was demolished (some of the thicker walls requiring dynamite) only 25 years later in 1936. By all accounts it was one of the most dramatic houses in all of Canada, second only to Casa Loma next door. ...more

Follow this link to our 13 entries, dated from 1909 to 1929 related to ardwold

1890
to
1934

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, ...more

Follow this link to our 22 entries, dated from 1890 to 1934 related to benvenuto

1802
to
1925

Berkeley House (John Small house)

Berkeley House stood on the corner of King Street East and Berkeley St. in Toronto's Corktown neighbourhood. Major John Small, Clerk of the Crown purchased the property on August 31, 1795 for $50 from carpenter George Porterbuilt. The original log cabin was already on the property when it was purchased, and the building was expanded and improved over the years by the Small family. Recently the foundation was unearthed as the site is being redeveloped. ...more

Follow this link to our 9 entries, dated from 1802 to 1925 related to berkeley_house

1905
to
1987

Casa Loma

One of Canada's most famous landmarks, Casa Loma, was originally built by financier Sir Henry Mill Pellatt along the top of the escarpment that runs just above Davenport Road - the old shoreline of Lake Iroquois. E. J. Lennox was the architect, and construction on the Gothic Revival style castle and other buildings started in 1911. Across the street from the main mansion and gardens are the stables, potting shed, and the Hunting Lodge. ...more

Follow this link to our 22 entries, dated from 1905 to 1987 related to Casa_Loma

1884
to
1953

Culloden House - John Ross Robertson

Built for John Ross Robertson, Culloden House stood on the east side of Sherbourne St, just south of Gerrard. Built for John Ross Robertson, Culloden House stood on the east side of Sherbourne St, just south of Gerrard. The earliest pictures I could find were from 1888 (or maybe 1884), and the latest was from May 1953. The house was later occupied by Ontario Provincial Police college. Ironically, considering John Ross Robertson's vast legacy, I couldn't find any other information about the house! ...more

Follow this link to our 14 entries, dated from 1884 to 1953 related to culloden_house

1886
to
2011

Cumberland House

Frederick William Cumberland was born in London, England in 1821 and came to Toronto in 1847. He entered into a partnership with William George Storm and together they designed and built many public buildings around the city, including University College. They designed and built this Italianate villa in 1857-1860. ...more

Follow this link to our 7 entries, dated from 1886 to 2011 related to Cumberland_House

1894
to
1900

Davenport and The Hill

Davenport was one of the first of many mansions built on the escarpment which now overlooks Davenport Avenue. John McGill built the first home there in the late 1790's, naming it after Major Davenport who served with him at Fort York. Colonel Joseph Wells bought Davenport in 1821 and built a larger home. The Wells family lived in Davenport until it was sold in 1913 when the house was demolished and the land subdivided for houses. ...more

Follow this link to our 2 entries, dated from 1894 to 1900 related to davenport_and_the_hill

1954
to
1954

Edgar A. Eaton house

The Edgar A. Eaton house was built on the south west corner of Bayview and Blythwood in Lawrence park. The black-and-white half-timber or "Tudor" style house had a distinctive tower by the stables.

Follow this link to our 4 entries, dated from 1954 to 1954 related to edgar-a-eaton-house

1880
to
1903

Ermeleigh

John Herbert Mason built his mansion, Ermeleigh, on the south east corner of Sherbourne St.and Wellesley St. E. He was one of the founding members of the Canada Permanent Building and Savings Society (which later became the Canada Permanent Mortgage Corporation).

Follow this link to our 9 entries, dated from 1880 to 1903 related to ermeleigh

1895
to
1922

Glen Edyth - Samuel Nordheimer estate and gardens

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Nordheimer built their grand house, Glen Edyth, on the hill where Admiral Augustus Warren Baldwin's Russell Hill house once stood. Built in 1872, it had over 30 rooms, towers, a widow's walk, and a porte-cochere coach gate. The extensive grounds and 23-acre gardens were as grand as the house itself. The ravine to the east of the house still bears the family name - the Nordheimer Ravine runs south of St. Clair, where the river used to be damned up to create various ponds and waterfalls with small bridges. Eventually the property was sold in 1924, the house torn down, and the property was subdivided and new homes were built. ...more

Follow this link to our 4 entries, dated from 1895 to 1922 related to glen_edyth_nordheimer_estate

1894
to
1972

Glen Stewart Park and estate

Reverend William Stewart Darling (1818-1886) purchased just under 30 acres of land for $1,852.50 in 1872. Part of that land is now the Glen Stewart Park running from Kingston Road south to Queen Street East between Glen Manor Drive to the west And Beech Ave to the east. ...more

Follow this link to our 7 entries, dated from 1894 to 1972 related to Glen_Stewart_Park_and_estate

1895
to
1910

Gwynne Estate and Cottage

The Gwynne Cottage was built in the 1840's by William Charles Gwynne, a surgeon and professor at the U. of T. The house was a storey and a half tall, with french doors (unusual for the times, especially considering Toronto's climate). The walls were sun-dried mud bricks almost 2 feet thick, protected by stucco. When it was built there were views from the verandah to the south over Lake Ontario. The cottage was demolished in 1917 to make way for a subdivision.

Follow this link to our 10 entries, dated from 1895 to 1910 related to gwynne_estate_and_cottage

1880
to
1925

Herne Hill - John Ellis Sr.'s estate

North of Lake Ontario, just west of what is now High Park, stood John Ellis's house, Herne Hill, overlooking Grenadier pond and the lake. John Ellis Sr. bought the forested 66 hectares (160 acres) west of Grenadier Pond for $25 an acre, and built a house, "Herne Hill" on Grenadier Heights. It was his friend, John George Howard (who donated his land to create High Park) that had convinced John Ellis Sr. to buy the land. The area was known as Windermere in the 1880s, as it has rolling hills similar to its namesake in England, and then Swansea by the 1890's. Ellis Avenue was constructed over an existing First Nations trail as the entrance to the Herne Hill estate. ...more

Follow this link to our 8 entries, dated from 1880 to 1925 related to herne_hill

1870
to
1904

Holland House

On the south side of Wellington St. between Bay and York street, Holland House was built in 1831 and demolished in 1904. It was originally the home of the Honourable Henry John Boulton, and was later occupied by a mayor of Toronto, Alexander Manning, then by the Ontario Reform Club. The building had a distinctive gothic style - porch battlement & turrets, a circular keep, pointed arches, but no moat. It was at times called "The Castle" for obvious reasons.

Follow this link to our 8 entries, dated from 1870 to 1904 related to holland_house

1909
to
1940

Holwood - Joseph Flavelle House

Sir Joseph and Lady Flavelle took out a 99 year lease from the University of Toronto for the land at 78 Queen's Park Crescent. They hired the architects Darling and Pearson to design their Second Classical Revival style mansion, Holwood, which was built in 1902. The reception room fireplace has three lines from an Adam Lindsay Gordon poem: "Two things stand like stone / kindness in another's trouble / courage in your own." In the Georgian Great Hall four painted angels look down ...more

Follow this link to our 11 entries, dated from 1909 to 1940 related to holwood

1956
to
2008

James Cooper House

Still standing on the west side of Sherbourne just south of Bloor Street East is the James Cooper Mansion. Built in 1881, the house is of the Second Empire architectural style with a distinctive mansard (double-gable) roof. (See the City of Toronto Reasons for Designation of 582 Sherbourne Street PDF for details on why the house is designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act.) Mr Cooper was a founder of Sessions, Carpenter and Company, manufacturer and importers of shoes and boots. ...more

Follow this link to our 3 entries, dated from 1956 to 2008 related to james_cooper_mansion

1906
to
1955

Lynne Lodge Estate

Frederick Barnard Fetherstonhaugh built his estate along Lake Ontario in Mimico. The main house "Lynne Lodge" (named after his mother's family home in Ireland), and the Gardener's Cottage were designed by Henry Sproatt and built in 1899. The property is at the south west corner of 2669-2673 Lake Shore Blvd. W. and Royal York Road. ...more

Follow this link to our 6 entries, dated from 1906 to 1955 related to Lynne_Lodge

1875
to
1911

Mashquoteh

Two houses named Mashquoteh stood near the corner of Avenue Road and St. Clair Ave West. William Augustus Baldwin built the first house in 1852, right in the middle of where Avenue Road now passes through Heath Street, just north of St. Clair. The name means "meadow where the deer come to feed." The original house was town down in 1888 as Avenue Road was extended up to Upper Canada College.

William's second wife, Margaret McLeod, built the second Mashquoteh in the late 1890's on the block bounded by Avenue Road, Heath Street, Forest Hill Road, and St. Clair where it stood until 1956 when it was torn down and replaced with apartment buildings.

Follow this link to our 3 entries, dated from 1875 to 1911 related to mashquoteh

1854
to
1955

Preston Villa (Earlscourt Park)

Earlscourt Park, one of Toronto's busiest parks, was originally home to the Cooper family who lived there as far back as the 1830's, then sold to the Royce family. The house, Preston Villa, was built around 1854, and included many classical details with a distinctive regency awning (at least until 1934). It stood on a slight rise just north of Davenport, east of Caledonia Road. In 1920 Colonel George Cooper Royce sold the house and the 32-acre (13-hectare) estate to the City of Toronto for a park, which had its official opening on on Saturday, October 23, 1920. Preston Villa served as a community clubhouse and park superintendent's home over the next 35 years, before it was eventually demolished in 1955.

Follow this link to our 6 entries, dated from 1854 to 1955 related to preston_villa

1830
to
2014

Spadina House (Now Spadina Museum)

Three houses have been built on the site - the first house was built and designed in 1818 by Dr. William Baldwin which burned down in 1835. He built a second, smaller house in 1836 on the same foundation, which was torn down in 1866 by the new owner, James Austin when he had the current Spadina House built, which stands to this day. ...more

Follow this link to our 11 entries, dated from 1830 to 2014 related to spadina_house

Other photos

A (back to top)
1930		Annandale / Uplands estate, south east of Bayview and Lawrence - now houses on Valleyanna Drive 94 years ago - Bridle Path - 1930 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910		Ardenvohr - Dyce W. Saunders house built 1906 - 213 Poplar Plains Road at Clarendon Ave. - Eden Smith Architect 114 years ago - South Hill - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
B (back to top)
1957		Blantyre Park - part of 60 acre estate purchased in 1858 by Peter Paterson Jr 67 years ago - Fallingbrook - 1957 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1957		Blantyre Park - then St. John's Training School for Boys, Victoria Park Ave., e. side, opp. Bracken Ave.; recreation hall 67 years ago - Fallingbrook - 1957 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1937		Bracondale - Demolition of Charles E. Turner Estate in Hillcrest Park 87 years ago - Davenport - Tuesday, April 20, 1937 Max temp: 11.7°C - Min temp: 2.2°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1937		Bracondale Hill (1847 - 1937) - Charles Turner house - now Hillcrest Park 87 years ago - Davenport - Tuesday, April 20, 1937 Max temp: 11.7°C - Min temp: 2.2°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1954		Briarly - William Johnson Montgomery house - Dundas St. W., s.e. cor. Donnybrook Lane 70 years ago - Chestnut Hills - 1954 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
C (back to top)
1972		Captain John T. Douglas house (1875) after the north lawn was sold for apartment buildings and front of the house moved to the west 52 years ago - Cabbagetown - 1972 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1920		Carbrook - home of Archibald Campbell (built in 1877) s.w. corner of Bloor Street and Avenue Road where ROM is now 104 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929		Carbrook estate standing to our left of the original ROM building in 1929 95 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - Thursday, April 25, 1929 Max temp: 11.7°C - Min temp: 7.2°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1910		Carbrook estate tennis - built 1877 for Archibald Hamilton Campbell 114 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1946		Castle Frank - demolished in 1962 - Sir Albert Edward Kemp - Bloor St. E., s. side, e. of Castlefrank Crescent (formerly 72 Castle Frank Road) 78 years ago - Rosedale - 1946 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1796		Castle Frank near York - Elizabeth Simcoe painting of original pine log cabin, modelled on classical Greek temple - burned down 1829 228 years ago - Rosedale - Wednesday, July 20, 1796 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1860		Castlefield - between Yonge Street and Duplex - oil painting by Margaret Jackes 164 years ago - North Toronto - 1860 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1856		Castlefield estate at Yonge St, - one of oldest known Toronto Photos 168 years ago - North Toronto - 1856 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1910		Castlefield, the home of Captain James Hervey Price, first city Clerk home 114 years ago - North Toronto - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1952		Chudleigh house - a Second Empire mansion - first of many along Beverley Street 72 years ago - Art Gallery of Ontario - 1952 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1972		Chudleigh house built in 1872 for George Lissant Beardmore - has served as the Italian consulate since 1930 52 years ago - Art Gallery of Ontario - 1972 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
F (back to top)
1905		Fallingbrook - Sir Donald Manns Summer home - built 1907 - burned down January 26, 1930 119 years ago - Fallingbrook - 1905 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
G (back to top)
1890		Gooderham estate (1885-95) North Glen Road Bridge at South Drive 134 years ago - Rosedale - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1890		Gooderham estate - North Glen Road Bridge at South Drive 134 years ago - Rosedale - 1890 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1952		Guiseley House - Joseph Cawthra - 5 Elm Ave., s.e. corner Mt. Pleasant Rd 72 years ago - Rosedale - Wednesday, October 1, 1952 Max temp: 23.3°C - Min temp: 12.2°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
I (back to top)
1977		Idlewild house - Architect Richard Ough - for himself and wife Amy Ough - Long Branch 47 years ago - Long Branch - 1977 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
J (back to top)
1900		John Shaw house - mayor of Toronto from 1897-9 (constructed 1818 and demolished 1904) 124 years ago - Royal Ontario Museum - 1900 Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
M (back to top)
1910		Macdonald, Hugh, house drawing room - 350 Wellington St. W., n.e. cor. Clarence Square 114 years ago - Entertainment District - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1905		Moatfield - David Duncan house - classic Ontario Gothic farmhouse 119 years ago - Don Mills - 1905 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1905		Moatfield at its original location north side of York Mills west of Don Mills Road 119 years ago - Don Mills - 1905 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
N (back to top)
1900		Northfield House - Rutherford estate built for Oliver Mowat in 1856 - Havergal student residence 124 years ago - Garden District - 1900 Link to archive record - Map location
R (back to top)
1910		Robert Cook house - Bayview Ave., looking n. from Eglinton Ave. East 114 years ago - Leaside - 1910 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1900		Rose Hill - Walter Rose's house - built 1836, sold to Joseph Jackes in 1865 and re-named "The Elms" Yonge St., e. side, n. of Jackes Ave 124 years ago - Deer Park - 1900 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1952		Rusholme - side view 72 years ago - Dufferin Grove - 1952 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1954		Rusholme as it was being demolished 70 years ago - Dufferin Grove - Monday, September 6, 1954 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1920		Rusholme estate entrance - home of Colonel George Taylor Dennison - demolished 1953 104 years ago - Dufferin Grove - 1920 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1909		Rusholme Road, near Dundas 115 years ago - Dufferin Grove - 1909 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1895		Rusholme, home of George Taylor Denison II, on the northwest corner of Dundas Street West and Rusholme Road 129 years ago - Dufferin Grove - Monday, July 8, 1895 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1870		Russell Hill - Augustus Baldwin house - built 1818, demolished 1872, Davenport Rd., n. side (at present Glen Edyth Place) 154 years ago - The Annex - 1870 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
S (back to top)
1974		Scadding house (built 1862), west of Yonge Street in Trinity Square - Eatons Warehouse in background 50 years ago - City Hall - Saturday, January 12, 1974 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1974		Scadding House in Trinity Square, and Eatons warehouse looking south east from Terauley Street 50 years ago - City Hall - Sunday, February 10, 1974 Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
T (back to top)
1902		The Priory - built early 1870s, demolished in 1920 122 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1902 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1896		The Priory - Lucy & Dorothy Ruttan (Armstrong's grandchildren) & dog Bully under the vines 128 years ago - Alexandra Park - Monday, June 15, 1896 Max temp: 22.2°C - Min temp: 10.6°C (weather details) Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1895		The Priory - William Armstrong house - Augusta Ave., e. side, s. of opp. Wolseley St. 129 years ago - Alexandra Park - 1895 Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)