Loft living in historic Cabbagetown college
Renovation of old building has created 10 apartments
by Pat Brethour
The Globe and Mail July 28, 1984
Loft living in historic Cabbagetown college Renovation of old building has created 10 apartments by Pat Brethour The Globe and Mail July 28, 1984 |
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| "At the turn of the
century, the handsome brick building at the corner of Sumach and Gerrard
Streets was home base for a small group of pioneers - women who hadn't
allowed the University of Toronto's refusal to admit them to its medical
school to discourage them from their quest to become doctors. Built in
1890 in the Romanesque Revival style, the building functioned as the
Ontario Medical College for Women from that year until 1905, when the
university finally decided to admit women to its classes. For two more
years, it functioned as a dispensary which would become, in another
location, Women's College Hospital. In 1907, the building was sold, and
for much of the rest of the century was converted to industrial use, for
which its sturdy construction suited it well. Cabbagetown residents will have noticed some changes to the old building this summer. Engineer Bob Mitchell and his wife, Beverley, who bough the building in May, have been hard at work on a renovation project that will transform a ramshackle machine shop into 10 new condominium apartments in one of the city's most desirable downtown neighborhoods. |
Mr. Mitchell's pictures
of the building, taken before he began work, are ample evidence of the
labor involved. The exterior - which has been historically designated
because of its architectural style and the building's original use - had
been modified over the years to make room for the loading doors and
other conveniences demanded by industry. The interior, too, was filled
with the evidence of a half century of industrial use. Because of the historical board's designation, work on the exterior was essentially a painstaking restoration job, involving stone quarried in the United States to match old lintels, and brick scavenged from local demolition sites. Inside, the building has been completely gutted, insulated and rebuilt. The result is a series of apartments that offer all the spacious amenities of loft living without the uncertain legal status that so often accompanies such residences in downtown Toronto. Mr. Mitchell say he and his wife had little difficulty in convincing the city of the wisdom of converting the property from industrial to residential use. |
Their track record - this
is the third such project they've taken on - and the fact that the old
college is located in the midst of a residential area made the debate a
short one. The condominiums at 289 Sumach St. are located close to the downtown core in an established residential community. Riverdale Park, with miles of trails leading to Wilcot Creek Park and Edwards Gardens, is within walking distance." "The open two and three-story residences feature a loft layout with 12 to 14-foot ceilings. Each home is equipped with extensive skylighting and roof windows. Other features include sandblasted brick, exposed structural steel, roof terraces, fireplaces, ceiling fans and track lighting. The minimal common elements of the project promise low maintenance costs in future. Cobblestone walkways and an iron gateway and fence help maintain the historical heritage. Parking is an indoor garage. ... " |
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