Home / Accueil

Front Street East 49

49 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5E, Canada

Formally Recognized: 1978/07/21

Cast iron facade of 49 Front Street East, Toronto, 1999; Ministry of Culture, 1999
Front Facade
Looking east to 49 Front Street East, Toronto, 1999; Ministry of Culture, 1999
Streetscape view
No Image

Other Name(s)

Front Street East 49
Dixon Building

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

1872/01/01

Listed on the Canadian Register: 2004/08/16

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

This is the east end unit of an 1872, triple storefront, commercial block at Toronto's historic waterfront. In the Second Empire style, it features a cast iron facade. It is recognized for its heritage value by City of Toronto bylaw 430-78. It is also governed by an Ontario Heritage Foundation conservation easement.

Heritage Value

The heritage value of this building is in its complete, 3-storey, cast iron facade, believed to be the only remaining example in Ontario and one of three known to survive in Canada. It is a prominent feature of the Front Street East streetscape and the waterfront area of the historic Town of York area. Considered to be erected in 1872 by former Toronto mayor William Henry Boulton(wife Harriet Dixon), brother-in-law to neighbouring owner Benjamin Homer Dixon, the design is attributed to Toronto architect Walter R. Strickland. The building is of mill construction with brick walls and possibly wood and stone windows. The facade was cast by W. Hamilton and Son, St. Lawrence Foundry, Front Street East. Source: City of Toronto bylaw 430-78 and Ontario Heritage Foundation conservation easement with additional background information

Character-Defining Elements

The key elements important to the heritage value include:
- the complete cast iron facade
- being the end unit of a triple commercial block
- slate clad mansard roof with mansard dormer
- pairs of tall, round-arched windows alternating with pilasters

Recognition

Jurisdiction

Ontario

Recognition Authority

Local Governments (ON)

Recognition Statute

Ontario Heritage Act

Recognition Type

Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV)

Recognition Date

1978/07/21

Historical Information

Significant Date(s)

n/a

Theme - Category and Type

Function - Category and Type

Current

Commerce / Commercial Services
Office or Office Building

Historic

Architect / Designer

Walter R. Strickland

Builder

W. Hamilton and Son

Additional Information

Location of Supporting Documentation

Heritage Preservation Services, Toronto City Hall, file 1448; Ontario Heritage Foundation, 10 Adelaide Street East, Toronto

Cross-Reference to Collection

Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier

HPON04-19

Status

Published

Related Places

n/a

SEARCH THE CANADIAN REGISTER

Advanced SearchAdvanced Search
Find Nearby PlacesFIND NEARBY PLACES PrintPRINT
Nearby Places