Toronto’s architectural gems—astonishing row houses at 109-129 John Street.

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At first glance, the houses in the above photo appear to be grand homes from the 19th century, as they possess large dormers in the roofs on the third floors, attractive red bricks, and detailed ornamentation. However, on closer inspection, they are ten row houses, with relatively narrow frontage on John Street, extending back for a considerable distance. Their postal addresses are 111 to 119 John Street.

These houses were built in 1889, and in that year only six of them were occupied.  The house at 111 John Street, which today has the postal address of 270 Adelaide Street, is on the corner of Adelaide and John Streets. It the largest of the row houses. In 1889, it was the residence of E. Honla. Number 113 was the home of Danforth Roch, # 115 was Mc. C. cummings, 117 was Mrs. L. Hunter, 119 was Theadore Braun, and # 121 was Miss Eliz. Dale. The houses numbered 123-129 were vacant in 1889. 

The house at number 111 John Street (270 Adelaide Street) is today occupied by Pizzaola (basement level) and the Corned Beef House on the first-floor level. This house is by far the grandest of the residences in the row.  Similar to the house at the north end of the row (#129), it has a balcony on the third-floor level. However, #111 is the only row house with a side entrance, which is on Adelaide Street. In previous years, the Avalon Restaurant was where the Corned Beef House is now located. 

All of the homes have traces of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, with foundations of heavy stone and large stone sills under the windows. All the houses are of red brick, with detailed ornamentation, sometimes employing terracotta tiles. These homes are among the most impressive row houses in the city.    

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House on the northeast corner of Adelaide and John Streets, which is 111 John Street, although today it is listed as 270 Adelaide Street.

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The small charming balcony on #111, on the west facing facade, overlooking John Street.

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Window facing John Street, with a Romanesque arch above it. The curved window pane at the top has attractive designs, three rectangular panes below it, and a large stone sill. Behind the window was likely where the parlour of the home was located. Today it is a window inside the Corned Beef House.

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Decorative terracotta tiles inserted in the bricks of the west facing facade

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Oval window and archway above the door of the entrance at 111 John Street (270 Adelaide Street).

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The oval window above the entrance way. It likely gave light to the staircase inside the home.

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The archway above the door and the faux-keystone, which is a terracotta tile.

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The west facade of 111 John Street and the pair of houses to the north of it (on the left-hand side in the photo), numbers 113, 115, and 117.

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The south facade of 111 John Street (270 Adelaide Street) with its side entrance. The dormer window in the roof is impressive. This view reveals the true size of this dwelling. It is the only house in the row with a corner turret.

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To view other posts about the history of Toronto and its buildings:

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The Art Deco bus terminal at Bay and Dundas Streets.

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The old Dominion Bank Building at King and Yonge Street

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The Canada Life Building on University and Queen Street West.

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Campbell House at the corner of Queen Street West and University Avenue

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A study of Osgoode Hall

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Toronto’s first City Hall, now a part of the St. Lawrence Market

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The Black Bull Tavern at Queen and Soho Streets, established in 1822

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History of the 1867 fence around Osgoode Hall on Queen Street West at York Street

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Gathering around the radio as a child in the 1940s

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The opening of the University Theatre on Bloor Street, west of Bay St.

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122 persons perish in the Noronic Disaster on Toronto’s waterfront in 1949

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Historic Victoria Memorial Square where Toronto’s first cemetery was located, now hidden amid the Entertainment District

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Visiting one of Toronto’s best preserved 19th-century streets-Willcocks Avenue

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The 1930s Water Maintenance Building on Brant Street, north of St. Andrew’s Park

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Toronto’s architectural gems-photos of the Old City from a book published by the city in 1912

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Toronto’s architectural gems in 1912

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Toronto’s architectural gems – the bank on the northeast corner of Queen West and Spadina

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Photos of the surroundings of the CN Tower and and the St. Lawrence Market in 1977

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The St. Lawrence Hall on King Street

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Toronto’s streetcars through the past decades

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History of Trinity Bellwoods Park

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A history of Toronto’s famous ferry boats to the Toronto Islands

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