Welcome to the Leslieville Historical Society’s website. We are committed to exploring, preserving and sharing the history of our community. 

Remember the battle in 2016 to preserve the heritage features of one of the units of Russell Terrace?

Mark Laird and Sharon Kirsch took the fight to the Ontario Municipal Board and, sadly, lost.  The Terraces along Booth, Colgate and Logan were built and ready for the marketplace on Victoria Day 1888. Ted Radlak prepared the paper below to support the case at the OMB.

Now just weeks away from Victoria Day 2018, and mindful of the 130th anniversary of the Russell Terraces, we support further research into the heritage status of this unique architectural feature and the preservation of Russell Terrace.

Leslieville Historical Society position on the matter of 249 Booth Ave, prepared by Ted Radlak

 On the night of May 5th, 2016, the Leslieville Historical Society (LHS) considered the matter of the redevelopment of 249 Booth Ave, an integral component of the Victorian era Russell Terrace on Booth Avenue built in 1888. The proposed changes have been refused by the Committee of Adjustment, as they were not considered minor in nature. The changes include a rear addition and the contentious 3rd floor addition with deck in total increasing GFA by 46%. The owner has since appealed this decision to the OMB and a hearing is scheduled on June 28th, 2016.

The 1888 Russell Terrace along Booth, Colgate and Logan are remarkable for the integrity of their built and spatial heritage. Just ahead of its 130th anniversary, Victorian era Russell Terrace is the only intact terrace or row development of this size in Leslieville and one of possibly only four in the City of Toronto, the others being 2-36 Monteith Street (18 row), 1-21 Laurier Ave (10 row), 53-83 Sullivan Ave (16 row) and Clarence Square (12 of original 16). The Terrace along Booth Ave comprises a 20 house row including 2 distinct terrace buildings that bookend the ensemble. There are an additional 2 groups of three row houses built in the same style and design on Colgate Avenue. The terrace was constructed using Russell brickyard bricks originating in Leslieville.

The harmonious composition is unified by an extant elaborate molded cast iron cornice supported by a three course corbel table. The individual buildings are linked by a corbelled hanging pilaster. The buildings themselves are brick, the central buildings in the composition may have been bicolour red and yellow at one time. Window treatments include ashlar sills and brick lintels outlined by a double brick string course that constitute the other rhythmic design element that links the composition. Main floor windows are arched and some upper lights still have the original stained glass panels.

The LHS concurred that the impact of the changes, especially the third floor addition, to the spatial and architectural integrity of this unique, intact terrace as well as to the historic character of streetscape are substantial and the precedent, once set, will degrade it further over time marring the harmonious uniformity that are the essence of its beauty.

The change to the elevation that would break up the uniform composition is visible from the street and the park. We feel that if any minor alterations are considered that may affect the elevations, they should not be visible from the park nor from the sidewalks on either side and that a comprehensive set of design guidelines be established to maintain the integrity of this built form into the future.

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Research (Other Terrace/Row Houses in Toronto and their condition) in order of size:

Both Avenue Russell Terrace – 20 intact, built 1888 2-36 Monteith Street – 18 intact, built 1887

53-83 Sullivan Street – 16 intact rows, built 1880

55-79 Berkeley Street, 13 intact, built 1871

5-16 Clarence Square, 12 of 16 intact, built 1879

45-63 St. Nicholas Street, 10 intact, built 1884

1-21 Laurier Ave, 10 intact, built 1889

2-22 Laurier Ave, 10 intact, built 1889

84-100 D’Arcy Street, 9 intact, built 1893

1-17 Alpha Street, 9 intact, built 1888

2-18 Alpha Street, 9 intact, built 1888

122-136 Shuter Street, 8 intact, built 1876

21-33 Sackville Street, 7 of 8 intact, built 1890

284-296 Gerrard Street E, 7 of 8 intact, built 1879

115-127 Trinity Street, 7 intact, built 1886

6-18 Metcalfe Street, 7 intact, built 1883

20-32 Metcalfe Street, 7 intact, built 1888

1-7 Wellesley Cottages, 7 intact, built 1887

425-435 Sumach Street, 6 intact, built 1904

14-24 Soho Street, 6 intact, built 1888

94-104 Scollard Street, 6 intact, built 1893

142-152 Shuter Street, 6 intact, built 1871

1-11 Rose Ave, 5 of 6 original intact, built 1887

6-14 Irwin Ave, 5 intact, built 1892

17-25 Metcalfe Street, 5 intact, built 1888

112-120 Shuter Street, 5 intact, built 1891

316-324 Wellesley St. E, 5 intact, built 1888

326-334 Wellesley St. E, 5 intact, built 1888

265-271 Wellesley St. E, 4 intact, built 1876

257-263 Wellesley St. E, 4 intact, built 1888

484-490 Ontario Street, 4 intact, built 1877

497-503 Ontario Street, 4 intact, built 1885

505-511 Ontario Street, 4 intact, built 1884

207-213 Jarvis Street, 4 of 6 intact, built 1879

10-16 Wellesley Street W, 4 intact, built 1876

285-291 Jarvis Street, 4 intact, built 1889

40-42 Sullivan Street, 2 of 4 intact, built 1872

215-219 Jarvis Street, 3 intact, built 1863

398-402 Wellesley St. E, 3 intact, built 1886

105-109 Trinity Ave, 3 intact, built 1885

393 King Street E, 3 intact, built 1855

299-300 King Street E, 2 of 3 intact, built 1845

192-194 Adelaide Ave W, 2 of 5 dismantled and reconstructed, built 1833

82 Bond Street, 1 of 3 intact, 1858

Sources: http://www.tobuilt.ca/php/tobuildings_search.php?; Google Earth Survey; Toronto Architecture, A City Guide by Patricia McHugh

For more information and to find out how you can preserve and honour the history of your neighbourhood, contact leslievillehistory@gmail.com

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