plink
New Member
Then: Lord and Lady Minto, going to the races from the home of Sir Joseph Flavelle, 1903
Now:
Now:
Last edited:
|
|
|
- Thread starter Mustapha
- Start date
Mustapha
Senior Member
I think that a lot of the visual interest in these rooflines derive from the fact that Avenue Road at this point was going through the typical Toronto transition (like on Church, Bloor, etc.) of a residential street evolving into a commercial one. The process usually started with the existing house being converted into a commercial use, followed by a one or two storey storefront addition to the front. In many cases the houseform building itself eventually got demolished and rebuilt while the front addition remained.
The most interesting example of this process occurred at 100 Yorkville. Originally a Victorian mansion, it was converted to the original Mount Sinai Hospital in 1923 and the Georgian facade we see today was added in 1934. The following picture shows the building in the early 1980's. Eventually the mansion was demolished and the "historical" facade was preserved, moved and integrated into the 100 Yorkville development.
This was a senior citizens home up until about 1984 or so. A sweet old lady in pajamas, very upset, ran out the front door one summer day in 1978 and was intercepted by my future wife and I. We were concerned that she might run into traffic. We escorted her back inside. It was very unpleasant inside and crowded with patients. Many looked distressed. My wife and I occasionally walk by now on the way to the Cumberland cinema down the block and she will shoot this place a look. I know better than to say anything.
Mustapha
Senior Member
July 25 Then and Now.
Then and Now. A young American 'expat' in 1930s Toronto.
Torontonians down through the ages have lived, worked and worried.
Some of their stories have come down orally in family histories, sometimes put to paper. And, in this day and age, 'virally', through the internet.
'Put to paper'... Today I'd like to present a correspondence I had with a Mr. Robert D. Gruen back in 1993. He was an American - born in 1913, passed away in 1994 - who lived and worked in Toronto for a short period in the 1930s.
He came here as the young scion of an American industrial concern - a watchmaking company based in Cincinnati - to gain management experience at their Canadian branch office. We exchanged letters as the result of some questions I had about an old watch.
Mr. Gruen lived at the Claridge Apartments in Toronto on Clarendon Avenue - still there and even more beautiful in maturity - and worked in the company offices in the Metropolitan Building - now Victoria Tower - at the southwest corner of Adelaide and Victoria.
I'll stop now and let Robert D. Gruen tell you in his own words on his own letterhead about his life in 1930s Toronto. I'll follow his letter with some images of the Claridge Apartments and the Metropolitan Building.
A young Robert D. Gruen appears as the middle of the three Gruen gentlemen below.
And last but not least, the Metropolitan Building.
Then and Now. A young American 'expat' in 1930s Toronto.
Torontonians down through the ages have lived, worked and worried.
Some of their stories have come down orally in family histories, sometimes put to paper. And, in this day and age, 'virally', through the internet.
'Put to paper'... Today I'd like to present a correspondence I had with a Mr. Robert D. Gruen back in 1993. He was an American - born in 1913, passed away in 1994 - who lived and worked in Toronto for a short period in the 1930s.
He came here as the young scion of an American industrial concern - a watchmaking company based in Cincinnati - to gain management experience at their Canadian branch office. We exchanged letters as the result of some questions I had about an old watch.
Mr. Gruen lived at the Claridge Apartments in Toronto on Clarendon Avenue - still there and even more beautiful in maturity - and worked in the company offices in the Metropolitan Building - now Victoria Tower - at the southwest corner of Adelaide and Victoria.
I'll stop now and let Robert D. Gruen tell you in his own words on his own letterhead about his life in 1930s Toronto. I'll follow his letter with some images of the Claridge Apartments and the Metropolitan Building.
A young Robert D. Gruen appears as the middle of the three Gruen gentlemen below.
And last but not least, the Metropolitan Building.
Mustapha
Senior Member
I was emotionally affected by the Claridge's lobby.
I'm still trying to get over it.
I'm still trying to get over it.
Mustapha
Senior Member
Then: Lord and Lady Minto, going to the races from the home of Sir Joseph Flavelle, 1903
Now:
Most splendid. This Then and Now. Come to think of it, life was splendid for the Mintos and Flavelles.
Goldie
Senior Member
Mustapha,
Thanks for that unique story of your relationship with Mr. Gruen.
I was particularly impressed by the images of the beautiful Claridge, a building which I have never seen.
Gruen's mention of the 1936 Toronto "heat wave" caused me to wonder if the Claridge, even now, has air-conditioning.
I notice that some windows are open and there's no sign of those ugly window AC units.
The builders' signboard mentions "Kelvinator refrigeration", but that may just be the kitchen appliances.
Thanks for that unique story of your relationship with Mr. Gruen.
I was particularly impressed by the images of the beautiful Claridge, a building which I have never seen.
Gruen's mention of the 1936 Toronto "heat wave" caused me to wonder if the Claridge, even now, has air-conditioning.
I notice that some windows are open and there's no sign of those ugly window AC units.
The builders' signboard mentions "Kelvinator refrigeration", but that may just be the kitchen appliances.
Gebbois
New Member
Mustapha, thanks ever so much for that "personal touch" A typewritten letter that speaks volumes of the life and lifestyles of yesteryear. As much as we study history, hearing about it on a personal level gives it so much more feeling, it makes it "real".
"May you path always be lit by the goodness of your heart"... Finnegan Duffin
"May you path always be lit by the goodness of your heart"... Finnegan Duffin
NomoreaTorontonian
Active Member
Like Goldie, I was very taken with your story of Mr Gruen and your photos of the Claridges apartments. The builders' signboard lists so many well known names of firms familiar in the thirties (which I don't remember!), the forties, the fifties and even the early sixties.
But there is one thing about the letter which bothers me. I recalled that the summer of 1936 was when my great grandmother died. I was always told it was because of the heat at the time. I just checked back to find that her death--a sudden one at the age of 85--happened on July 10, 1936. Can someone in Toronto check some historical reference like The Star's Pages of the Past and find out just what kind of temperatures were being endured that week? Were they more like 96F? But considering the underclothing obligatory for old ladies of the 1930s, perhaps expiring at 86F was entirely possible.
But there is one thing about the letter which bothers me. I recalled that the summer of 1936 was when my great grandmother died. I was always told it was because of the heat at the time. I just checked back to find that her death--a sudden one at the age of 85--happened on July 10, 1936. Can someone in Toronto check some historical reference like The Star's Pages of the Past and find out just what kind of temperatures were being endured that week? Were they more like 96F? But considering the underclothing obligatory for old ladies of the 1930s, perhaps expiring at 86F was entirely possible.
BeeRich
Active Member
Hi there. I just had a look on Environment Canada's site. This is what I found.
Daily Temperatures for July 1936
Graphed
Third of three days up to 40.6°C. Up from mid 20's (where I like it). Ya it peaked for 3 days, then went back down. 40.6°C = 105°F. And that is measured temperature. Then add humidity upon that. I would say it might have approached 50°C with humidity. I've been in a kayak around 48°C with humidity and it's not good.
HTH
BeeRich
Active Member
How many Furlongs in a Fahrenheit? How many Ounces in an Ounce?
A scale invented in 1724? A century before Louis Pasteur even? Time to upgrade.
A scale invented in 1724? A century before Louis Pasteur even? Time to upgrade.
BeeRich
Active Member
LOL how ironic. Lion just came out, and it might force me to buy yet another bloody server.
NomoreaTorontonian
Active Member
Thanx, BeeRich--and for showing me a website I didn't know existed. Summer heat in TO was one of the things that made me seek cooler climes.
BeeRich
Active Member
Tell me about it. My office is a cool 27'C right now, and that's acceptable. It gets hotter with this stupid computer whizzing away. I can't stand the humidity here.
DTowner
Active Member
'Or 'holiday' as we used to say in the office.'
I say holiday instead of vacation. I NEVER say 'vacay'.
The foyer is beautiful. Is one able to just walk right in?
I say holiday instead of vacation. I NEVER say 'vacay'.
The foyer is beautiful. Is one able to just walk right in?
Mustapha
Senior Member
Gebbois, Goldie, NomoreaTorontonian, thank you.
Goldie, there is no central air con here at the Claridge. I took these pictures a few days ago in the midst of the heatwave.
DTowner, It is something isn't it? You have to be buzzed in. I was just about to buzz the 'super' when a lady having something to do with building maintenance let me after I told her I admired the beautiful lobby and could she let me in.
I've previously only seen decor like this in California buildings.