Information:
This building is at risk to Bill 23.
Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022, is an “omnibus bill” that would alter ten pieces of Provincial legislation, including the Planning Act, Conservation Authorities Act, Ontario Heritage Act, among others.
Notes:
The site was first developed in 1891 with a house form building and, following its occupancy by the funeral home in 1905, it was redeveloped in a series of stages and built out to College Street by 1923 when it was illustrated on Goad’s Atlas.
The property at 396 College Street has design value as a commercial building from the interwar era with detailing from the popular Edwardian Classical style of the period, which is identified by the exaggerated classical detailing on the window openings. Contextually, the property at 396 College Street is valued for its role in defining, supporting and maintaining the historical character of College Street west of Spadina Avenue, which retains its character as a “Main Street” identified primarily by its late 19th century commercial buildings that set the standard for the scale and setbacks along the thoroughfare. The subject building reflects the evolution of College Street in the early 20th century as the location of larger structures, including the warehouse on the south side of the street (355 College) near Bellevue Avenue. The building at 396 College Street is historically, visually and physically linked to its setting anchoring the west end of the block between Borden and Croft streets, where it is adjoined by other late 19th and early 20th century commercial buildings that share its scale and setback.
