Moving House

Location: Howard Street, near Bloor and Parliament
Date photo taken: 9 May 2016
Image 5 in the Remnants Series

A few weeks ago this blog featured Campbell House and described how it was relocated rather than demolished back in 1972. Here is a modern version of the same story.  A large multi-tower development is set to transform the land between Bloor and Howard streets, west of Parliament, which happens to be where this building stood, one of the few remaining survivors of an upscale residential neighbourhood that has since been radically transformed. The house was built in 1887 for William Whitehead and was once surrounded by other equally grand homes. The first blow came when many of the homes were demolished to extend Bloor Street, which also cut the neighbourhood off from the ravine and its Rosedale neighbours. The exodus to the suburbs after World War II sent the area into further decline and many of the homes were converted into rooming houses. The final blow to the original neighbourhood came shortly after when the majority of the homes were acquired and demolished to build the St. James Town development.

In a move to preserve the remaining history in the area Lanterra Developments hired ERA Architects, who specialize in heritage projects, to come up with a plan. The result was the restoration of several properties on nearby Glen Road, and the shifting of this house to sit closer to them. For a more detailed account of the work and some great pictures, check out the Globe and Mail article from last December.