In 1906, Ewart G. Wilson (1881-1941) was commissioned by A. R. Williamson to design and build the Ulster Apartments at the northwest corner of Augusta Avenue (then known as Esther Street) and Grange Avenue in the Alexandra Park neighbourhood of Toronto. This was the first building that Ewart G. Wilson designed in Toronto following the establishment of his own architectural practice in the early 1900s. 

Per the City of Toronto Directories, the Ulster Apartments were under construction in 1907 and first occupied in 1908/1909. Ewart G. Wilson is a notable  architect in Toronto's history and is responsible for designing some of Toronto's first, multi-unit apartment buildings during the early 20th century.  A. R. Williamson - who commissioned the Ulster Apartments - later ran for City Council to represent Kensington Market and the Garment District (Ward 4) in 1910 and 1914, although was ultimately not elected to office. 

There is evidence that the extant building at the northwest corner of Augusta Avenue and Grange Avenue - presently known as 164-168 Grange Avenue (the Grange Apartments) - is Wilson's original Ulster Apartments. While the building has been re-clad in aluminum or vinyl siding, brick and masonry detailing (quoins, etc.) on the northeast corner - which is not presently covered by siding - point towards a 19th century or early 20th century design. The patterning of bay windows throughout the building also hints towards designs seen on other early 20th century Toronto apartment buildings, including Spadina Gardens (41-45 Spadina Road) and Sussex Court (21 Sussex Avenue, Toronto).  Furthermore, a distinct irregular pattern to the rear (north) wings of the building has been maintained over time and is visible on both historic Fire Insurance Plans and in the present layout of the building.  

This building likely survived the mass demolitions which occurred in the Alexandra Park neighbourhood during the late 1960s and early 1970s. These mass demolitions were part of the development that saw the Atkinson Co-Op / Alexandra Park Co-Op constructed. The Atkinson Co-Op was the first resident operated housing co-op of its kind in Canada.  Subsequently, the Alexandra Park neighbourhood has largely been associated with apartment, co-op, and rental housing in recent decades.

While the aluminum or vinyl siding presently obfuscates the building at 164-168 Grange Avenue, this could be a major heritage asset and resource for both the Alexandra Park neighbourhood  and broader City of Toronto.  As noted above, Ewart G. Wilson's Ulster Apartments were one of the first purpose-built, multi-unit apartment blocks in Toronto and immediately abut the site of the first resident operated housing co-op of its kind in Canada. This building - if the original 1906/1908 Ulster Apartments - could be a candidate for future restoration and steps should be taken to prevent the demolition of this building.  

(Research by Adam Wynne)