228/ 230 Central Avenue - Reasons for Designation

Transcription

1 228/ 230 Central Avenue Reasons for Designation The house at 228/230 Central Avenue is a twoandahalf storey, semidetached building incorporating two residences. It is situated on land that was previously known as Part Lot 3, Plan 219, on the north side of Central Avenue facing Victoria Park in London. These residences were built in 1889 and jointly provide the architectural cornerstone at the west end of the short elegant streetscape facing south into Victoria Park. Statement of Cultural Heritage Interest The house is recommended for designationunder the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural area which was the residential showpiece of the city. This block of Central Avenue (originally Great Market Street) bisected the British ganison until the military gave up the lands beginning in the 1860's. In 1874 the lands on the south side of the avenue were developed into Victoriapark and building lots opposite the new park became highly desirable by the city's elite residents. Large houses were built all around the park during the 188O's, in London's leading citizens sought out Central Avenue addresses during this time. buildings and the civic centre with City Hall and Centennial Hall. Only the homes on the north side end of the block and infill behind, these large stately homes remain a sigmticant grouping of similar size and stature. When viewed from the park, the row of homes stands out as a well preserved Historical Reasons These two addresses have been home to many prominent London business figures. The first listed resident at 228 was Thomas F Howe, the manager of the local branch of the Bank of Toronto. Later residents included William A. Young, wholesale jeweller, George H. Belton, lumber merchant, and later, May Blackburn, widow of the president of The London Free Press. At 230, the first resident was George Marshall, the tea merchant, who lived there until his death, followed by his widow, Helen who remained in the house until sometime around Two, smaller, two and a half storey houses are cleverly combined to create, what ostensibly becomes, a substantial residence both in scale and architectural detail in order to match the large, affluent houses that once surrounded the park. This clever illusion is achieved by placing the

2 228/ 230 Central Avenue Reasons for Designation architectural emphasis on the central part of the residence which is slightly brought forward under a unifying gable and is built as a three storey section flanked by the dormered roof containing the rest of the third floor. This central gabled section includes several noteworthy features: it is designed with porches on each of the three levels, which gives a depth and modulation to the faqade the ground floor has separate porches under two large brickwork arches the two second floorporches are containedina fourarcharcade supportedby truncated Minoan columns set on a closed balustrade the top floor single arch within the gable is divided to form an upper porch for each residence The focus on this central portion is fiuther intensified by the use of varying materials in the construction: brick masonry for the first floor decorative wood shingles for the walls and balustrade of the second floor the gable is framed in half timbering with wood boarded spandrels the open rail balustrades or the upper porches are flanked by two delicately fretworked panels on each side Providing additional interest is a small sloped roof tuckedunder the peak of the gable and which is supported by the decorated front of the porch division. Additional notable features include: the prominent main gable soffit is also carried by large, ornately scrolled roof brackets the two storey sections below the roof eaves flanking the gabled middle porches are in brick masonry the central porches span between two projecting bays, which form the front wall of each house the bays create large roof overhangs at the comers; again, with heavy, curved and scrolled brackets under the soffits the windows on the ground floor have semicircular arches the detailed brick masonry chimney should be noted.

3 232 Central Avenue Reasons for Designation The house at 232 Central Avenue is a two and onehalf storey Queen Anne white brick home situated on land that was previously known as Part Lot 4, Plan 219, on the north side of Central Avenue facing Victoria Park in London. The residence was built in 1888 as part of the short elegant streetscape facing south into Victoria Park. Statement of Cultural Heritage Interest The house is recommended for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural area which was the residential showpiece of the city. This blockof Central Avenue (originally Great Market Street) bisected the Britishgarrisonuntil the military gave up the lands beginning in the 1860's. In 1874 the lands on the south side of the avenue were developed into Victoria Park and building lots opposite the new park became highly desirable by the city's elite residents. Large houses were built all around the park during the 188O's, in London's leading citizens sought out Central Avenue addresses during this time. buildings and the civic centre with City Hall and Centennial Hall. Only the homes on the north side end of the block and infill behind, these large stately homes remain a significant grouping of similar size and stature. When viewed from the park the row of homes stands out as a well preserved Historical Reasons 232 Central Ave. was built in 1888 for Alexander Fraser, a wholesale hat merchant, who operated Fraser, MacMillan & Co. By 1923 it was occupied by Rev. William Beattie the pastor for First Presbyterian Church (later known as First United). After 1973 businesses and an apartment shared the former single family residence. John M. Moore, a prominent London architect designed this two and onehalf storey Queen Anne white brick home. The brick was later painted gray. The following features of the house are noteworthy: the octagonal tower, topped by a pavilion with gingerbread trim and finial dominates the west side there is a shed dormer in the front of the irregular medium pitch gable roof a plain boxed cornice with single brackets and fascia tops the faqade the verandah is plain with columns supporting the roof and a pediment over the entrance recessed sidelights and a transom panel surround the glazed door.

4 Central Reasons for Designation The house at Central Avenue is an imposing Queen Anne style building situated on land that was previously known as Part Lot 5, Plan 219, on the north side of Central Avenue facing Victoria Park in London. These residences were built in 1891 at the west end of the short elegant streetscape facing south into Victoria Park. Statement of Cultural Heritage Interest The house is recommended for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural area whch was the residential showpiece of the city. This block of Central Avenue (originally Great Market Street) bisected the British garrison until the military gave up the lands beginning in the 1860's. In 1874 the lands on the south side of the avenue were developed into Victoria Park and building lots opposite the new park became highly desirable by the city's elite residents. Large houses were built all around the park during the 1880's, in London's leading citizens sought out Central Avenue addresses during this time. buildings and the civic centre with City Hall and Centennial Hall. Only the homes on the north side end ofthe blockandinfillbehind, these large statelyhomesremainasi~~c~t grouping ofsimilar size and stature. When viewed fiom the park, the row of homes stands out as a well preserved Historical Reasons These homes were built in 1891 and the first resident of 234 Central Avenue was Thomas Coffey, proprietor and publisher of the Catholic Record, a prominent local newspaper. He was appointed to the Senate in William A. Lipsey, manager of the Agricultural Savings and Loan, was the first resident of 236 Central Avenue. Several prominent London merchants occupied both addresses in following years. This imposing Queen AMe style building is a symmetrical semidetached double house. The Queen Anne styling is typified by several notable features: the fagade is dominated by the large projecting gable and the attic windows, the pillared balcony on the second floor and the double arched entrance way on the ground floor on each side of the projecting structure, and partially concealed by it, are bay windows on both floors the sides of the projection meet the bays at the inner comer of the middle window

5 Central Reasons for Designation on the second floor, the inner surface of the bay has a round window on the comers the roof is supported by four brackets where the roof overhangs the outer panel of the bay windows the brackets are larger flanking the attic widows there are brackets supporting the gable which are carved in the same style as those noted above there are six dormers, one on each side of the front gable and tyo on each side roof each of the dormer gables has similar decorative woodwork the two prominent brick chimneys have decorative features decorative brickwork also appears on the columns of the entrance way.

6 256 Central Avenue Reasons for Designation The house at 256 Central Avenue is a two and onehalf storey Queen Anne style house built of Londonwhitebrick.Itis situatedonlandthatwaspreviouslyknownaslot 8,PartLot 15,Plan219, on the north side of Central Avenue facing Victoria Park in London. This residence was built in 1888 as part of the short elegant streetscape facing south into Victoria Park. Statement of Cultural Heritaae Interest The house is recommended for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural area which was the residential showpiece of the city. This block of Central Avenue (originally Great Market Street) bisected the British garrison until the military gave up the lands beginning in the 1860 s. In 1874 the lands on the south side of the avenue were developed into Victoria Park and building lots opposite the new park became highly desirable by the city s elite residents. Large houses were built all around the park during the 1880 s, in London s leading citizens sought out Central Avenue addresses during this time, buildings and the civic centre with City Hall and Centennial Hall. Only the homes on the north side end of the block and infill behind, these large stately homes remain a significant grouping of similar sue and stature. When viewed from the park, the row of homes stands out as a well preserved Historical reasong The first occupant was Charles H. hey, a member of the prominent fm of Hellmuth and hey, barristers. Later occupants included George W. Little, John S. Labatt, president of John Labatt Ltd, and his wife Elizabeth Labatt, after hs death. This two and onehalf storey Queen Anne style house was built in 1888 of London white brick. The following features define the Queen Anne style: the floor plan and the roof line are irregular on the west side, the faqade is set back farther making the gable very prominent there is a second smaller gable to the west, higher than the main gable the small gable has decorative carving the large gable has carved bargeboards and a carved triangular insert at the apex supported by long brackets which flank the attic windows and are repeated on the dormer on the east side

7 256 Central Avenue Reasons for Designation there is a gable on the west side which incorporates a chimney the eaves and gable ends are supported by brackets resting on a decorative moulding on the wall this also runs under the gable with a series of small brackets there are four brick chimneys with prominent decorative brickwork the windows on the second floor have heavy lintels the elegant porch has a curved roof supported by columns and pilasters the main doorway has divided sidelights and a transom a flat roof extends from the porch across the front of the house to a large projecting porch with very heavy tapered masonry piers.

8 A Central Avenue Reasons for Designation The house at 262 Central Avenue is a two and onehalf storey white brick, High Victorian style home with Queen Anne influences. It is situated on land that was previously known as Lot 9, Part Lot 10, Plan 219, on the north side of Central Avenue facing Victoria Park in London. This residence was built in 1887 at the east end ofthe short elegant streetscape facing south into Victoria Park. Statement of Cultural Heritataee Interest The house is recommended for designation under the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural area which was the residential showpiece of the city. This block of Central Avenue (originally Great Market Street) bisected the British garrison until the military gave up the lands beginning in the 1860's. In 1874 the lands on the south side of the avenue were developed into Victoria Park and building lots opposite the new park became highly desirable by the city's elite residents. Large houses were built all around the park during the 1880's, in London's leading citizens sought out Central Avenue addresses during this time. buildings and the civiccentre with City Hall and Centennial Hall. Only the homes on the north side end ofthe blockand infill behind, these large stately homes remain a significant grouping of similar size and stature. When viewed from the park, the row of homes stands out as a well preserved Historical Reasons 262 Central Avenue, facing Victoria Park, was built in The first occupant was Robert Reid Junior, a manufacturing stationer in a business established by his father in His brother, George, was the next occupant of the home in In 1928 Robinson T. Orr, founder and President of London Print and Lithographing, occupied the house. By 1943 James A. Cairncross, President of Cairncross and Lawrence had moved into the house. Cairncross owned several drugstores in London. His widow resided in the house until the late 1960s. From 1973 through 1995 the house saw several occupants and a separate apartment (262A) was createdwith an entrance on the east side. 262/262A Central Avenue is a 2% storey white brick, High Victorian style home with Queen Anne influences. The following style elements define the Queen Anne influences: a slate roof covers an irregular highpitched gable roof with four elaborate brick chimneys

9 262/262A Central Avenue Reasons for Designation the chimneys have detailed decorative treatment in the brickwork the east and west chimneys at the front are very prominent the front fagade is partially set back on the west fqade there is a gable dormer gable peaks are detailed with a sunburst pattern above a fish scale pattern the front wall is a modem renovation of two and onehalf stories showing rectangular windows in groupings of three brackets and decorative moulding emphasize eaves and gable ends with dentils below the eaves above the moulding, under the eaves, is a rectangular decoration within the brickwork this decoration is also found in the brick under the eaves on the west fagade on both sides of the chimney original windows have concrete sills and stone lintels the house has a single bay window with brackets similar to those on the upper storey but smaller in size on the east ground floor side on the west faqade is a sunroodconservatory with leaded glass windows the front entrance has a classical porch with paired columns supported by a stone and brick base the entrance consists of a double set of doors: on the front set there are two leafs, sidelights and a transom panel; on the inside set there are two leafs and a transom panel.

10 268 Central Avenue Reasons for Designation The house at 268 Central Avenue is a two and onehalf storey Tudor Revival home. It is situated on land that was previously known as Lot No.11, Plan No.219, on the north side of Central Avenue facing Victoria Park in London. This residence, built in 1937, provides an architectural cornerstone at the east end of the short elegant streetscape facing south into Victoria Park. Statement of Cultural Heritaee Interest The house is recommended for designationunder the Ontario Heritage Act as a building of cultural area which was the residential showpiece of the city. This blockof Central Avenue (originally Great Market Street) bisected the British garrisonuntil the military gave up the lands beginning in the 1860's. In 1874 the lands on the south side of the avenue were developed into Victoria Park and building lots opposite the new park became highly desirable by the city's elite residents. Large houses were built all around the park during the 1880's, in London's leading citizens sought out Central Avenue addresses during this time. buildings and the civic centre with City Hall and Centennial Hall. Only the homes on the north side end of the block and infill behind, these large stately homes remain a significant grouping of similar size and stature. When viewed from the park, the row of homes stands out as a well preserved Historical Reasons 268 Central Avenue was built circa 1937 replacing an address at 270 Central. From 1937 through 1956 city directories list the principal occupant as Dr. Jay Leonard Duffy (physician). From 1956 through 1997 the residence was occupied by Mr. Clark Daly, General Sales Manager for Imperial Fuels. The residence is a two and onehalf storey Tudor Revival in redbrown brick built on a foursquare plan with a prominent projecting front gable. The following features are significant in defining the Tudor Revival styling: the front gable defined by simple eaves and soffits which extend asymmetrically from the peak to the west the gable roof extends for about onehalf storey forming one side of a pediment, while on the east the gable roof sweeps down and outwards to the upper level of the ground floor inside the gable there is halftimbering and a row of modillions redbrown bricks are arranged diagonally within the timbers in contrast to the horizontal

11 268 Central Avenue Reasons for Designation brickwork on the main floor level the second storey has a tripartite window glazed with a lead diamond pattern extending into this portion of the gable is a wooden arched hood over the front door, supported by brackets. At the main floor level of the gable the Tudor Revival features continue: the entrance door is wood showing four panels below and eight glass panes at the top with the top four curving to form a slight arch. the door is set between two narrow rectangular windows on stone sills with the diamond lead glass pattern as noted above at the bases of the projecting fagade the wall ends are battered slightly the east base of the porch also angles in a similar manner within the porchare two windows: the fust, athreepanel rectangularwindow faces south, while the other, with a similar lead glaze, faces east. The westerly portion of the front fagade has a brick single car garage on the ground floor level with a fourpanel diamondshaped lead glazed window above. Onthe east fagade, facing Wellington Street, there is athreesidedoriel window and abrick entrance with a wood peaked hood supported by wood brackets. While 268 Central differs stylistically from its neighbours to the west, it shares the massing of the adjacent properties and completes the streetscape.