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Description:
The Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) is a 4-storey, Edwardian style apartment building located on the west side of George Street approximately 100 meters south of Gerrard Street East in the Garden District of Toronto. The Bell Bert Apartments were constructed in 1907 and first occupied by 1908.
The Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) have significant historical value through being one of the very first apartment buildings built in the Garden District neighbourhood of Toronto, as well as through being one of the oldest surviving purpose-built apartment buildings within the City of Toronto. The Bell Bert Apartments additionally have associative value through their connection to both architect Charles John Gibson and proprietor Hildebert Dorenwend.
The Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) have been overclad with stucco on its primary (George Street) elevation, which is presently painted a shade of yellow. However, the original building is likely intact underneath the stucco and could be restored in the future.
Further research is required to determine the etymology of the name Bell Bert. The name Bell Bert may be a portmanteau of the names of Isabella and Hildebert Dorenwend (see below for further details). Another possibility is that it is a play on the name of the first proprietor: Hildebert Dorenwend. When translated from French to English, the name Bell(e) Bert translates to "Beautiful Bert." Whether Hildebert went by the name Bert is unclear at present. However, one of Dorenwend's earliest Toronto businesses was the Paris Hair Works - a French-inspired salon. Alternatively, the building's name could be derived from Bertie, the well-known nickname of King Edward VII who was the monarch of the United Kingdom and its colonies from 1901-1910. Notably, many early apartment buildings in Toronto were named after members of British and European aristocracy.
The Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) are situated near the eastern boundary of former Park Lot 6. Park Lot 6 was granted to William Jarvis on 4 September 1793. This section of George Street marks part of the former boundary of Park Lot 5 and Park Lot 6, with the west side of the street being within former Park Lot 6 and the east side of the street being within former Park Lot 5. Neighbouring Park Lot 5 was granted to Chief Justice William Osgoode on 4 September 1793.
Park Lot 6 remained in the Jarvis family until the mid-19th century. The extension of Jarvis Street north of Queen Street in 1847/1848 spurred development within the former Park Lot. By 1854, George William Allan - who had purchased a large section of neighbouring Park Lot 5 - was selling Villa Lots on the former Moss Park Estate, including on the east side of George Street between Gerrard Street East and Wilton Crescent (later Dundas Street East). A few years later, in 1858, Allan donated land for a public garden and park which opened as Allan Gardens in September 1860. This laid the foundations for this part of the present-day Garden District neighbourhood. Early residential development had occurred within the Garden District by the late 1840s and 1850s. Much of the extant neighbourhood is constituted of buildings dating from the mid-19th century through early 20th century, although there are some post-1930 buildings in the neighbourhood too.
The Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) are located either on or immediately west of the western boundary of the Garden District Heritage Conservation District (presently under appeal). The Bell Bert Apartments are also located within or on the boundaries of the George Street Revitalization Project (please see below for further information).
The awning in front of 368 George Street presently displays the name EMA. Further research is required to discern if this is a modern name for the building and/or whether it is the name of the property management company. Recent real estate listings indicate the building is presently used as rental apartments.
Architect - Charles John Gibson:
The architect of the Bell Bert Apartments was Charles John Gibson. Gibson was commissioned to design the building by Hildebert Dorenwend in 1907. The building was completed by 1908.
The Archives of Ontario provides the following biographical sketch of Charles John Gibson within the Charles J. Gibson Fonds:
"Charles J. Gibson (1862-1935) was an architect who practised primarily in Toronto in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Charles J. Gibson was born in Quebec City in 1862, but he lived in England until 1870. He received his architectural training in New York City, and returned to Canada by 1885. In Toronto, he practised with Henry Simpson from 1888 to 1890. Afterwards, he practised on his own."
The Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada: 1800-1950 further identifies that Charles John Gibson was an extremely prolific architect in Toronto and elsewhere in Ontario between 1889 and 1929. Gibson's commissions include ecclesiastical, institutional, commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. For more information on his various works, please see his entry in the Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada: 1800-1950.
Notably, the Bell Bert Apartments (1907/1908) was the very first apartment building designed by Charles John Gibson. Other apartment buildings designed by Gibson include the Nanton Court Apartments (1908) on Nanton Avenue in Rosedale and the Lakeview Apartments (1911) on Queen Street West in Parkdale.
Charles John Gibson appears to have retired around 1929/1930. He died in 1935.
First Proprietor - Hildebert Dorenwend:
In 1907, Hildebert Dorenwend commissioned Charles John Gibson to design the Bell Bert Apartments. Notably, as of this point in time, Hildebert Dorenwend lived at 317 Jarvis Street, which was located immediately west of the Bell Bert Apartments. The Bell Bert Apartments appear to have been constructed on the George Street (rear) elevation of the 317 Jarvis Street property. The former house at 317 Jarvis Street was demolished in the mid-20th century to facilitate the construction of the Ontario Court of Justice at 311 Jarvis Street.
Hildebert Dorenwend was born in the Harz Mountains of Saxony, Germany in 1847/1848 and arrived in Canada around 1870/1871. In the late 1870s, Dorenwend lived in Hamilton and worked as a barber and carpet maker. By 1879/1880, he had relocated to Toronto.
In Toronto, Hildebert Dorenwend and Anna Dorenwend established a barber shop run by Hildebert on Richmond Street and a "hair works" run by Anna on King Street East. Around 1881/1882, Hildebert and Anna joined forces and established the Paris Hair Works at 103-105 Yonge Street. K. Taylor in Of Barbers, Hair Dressers and the Dorenwends (2016) notes that "the Dorenwends did it all [...] they barbered, they shaved, dressed, rinsed, dyed, made chignons, wigs and toupees, cured dandruff and removed the kind of hair you didn’t want." Hildebert Dorenwend - who began titling himself as Professor Dorenwend and/or Doctor Dorenwend - appears to have travelled extensively to advertise their services and wares. By the early 20th century, The Dorenwend Hair Company of Toronto had opened a branch in Ottawa. He also appears to have commissioned an extensive advertising campaign for his "Great German Hair Magic" and other "Hair Magic" products and services during the late 19th and early 20th century. Various examples of Dorenwend's advertisements have been included with this entry.
Anna (Annie) and Hildebert Dorenwend were likely married, although some historical sources theorize the two were instead cousins or siblings. Anna (Annie) Dorenwend was potentially the mother of Hildebert's eldest son Christian H. Dorenwend (1869-1916). Anna (Annie) Dorenwend does not appear in historical records after 1885/1886 and may have passed away.
On 11 April 1888, Hildebert Dorenwend married Isabella Robinson (1863-1942) who appears to have been his second wife. Hildebert and Isabella Dorenwend had 4 additional children - 3 daughters and 1 son - between 1890 and 1897. Interestingly, there is a 21 year age gap between Hildebert's eldest and second eldest child.
Hildebert Dorenwend's eldest son - Christian H. Dorenwend (1869-1916) - patented the Dorenwend Electric Belt and established the Dorenwend Electric Belt and Attachment Company around 1890. The Dorenwend Electric Belt provided its wearer with electrical shocks via an attached battery. Reportedly, this provided curative and therapeutic properties. This product was later endorsed by Hildebert Dorenwend and sold at his Yonge Street store. Christian Dorenwend was also called as a witness in the Clara Ford murder trial of 1895.
Hildebert Dorenwend died in Toronto in September 1920 of heart failure. He was ~73 years old.
Former Occupants of the Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street):
Unfortunately, the City of Toronto Directories provide limited information on the very early residents of the Bell Bert Apartments. However, the City of Toronto Tax Assessment Rolls - housed in the City of Toronto Archives - may contain this information.
Early (1909-1911) advertisements in area newspapers laud the Bell Bert Apartments' proximity to Allan Gardens, its location in a fashionable residential district, its modern conveniences, and the services of an onsite janitor. The advertisements specifically note the building was for "quiet adults only."
As of 1915, the City of Toronto Directories provided information on various residents of the Bell Bert Apartments, including what apartment suite they lived in:
Apartment 1: George B. Henderson. George B. Henderson was a clerk at William S. Kerman - a customs brokerage firm based at 6 Wellington Street East.
Apartment 2: Robert Sheppard. Robert Sheppard was the janitor of the Bell Bert Apartments and The Dorenwend Company Ltd.
Apartment 3: Vacant.
Apartment 4: Louis Partin. Louis Partin was a skin and scalp specialist at The Dorenwend Company Ltd., based at 103-105 Yonge Street.
Apartment 5: Vacant.
Apartment 6: The Gaden family. The Gaden family consisted of George William Gaden and Anna Selina Gaden. George William Gaden (1842-1915) was the manager of the Gaden-Hillock Revolving Door Company and the son of the Hon. Garland C. Gaden, the former Sheriff of Newfoundland. Anna Selina Gaden (1842-1913) was reportedly involved in Toronto's temperance movement. The Gaden resided in Apartment 6 of the Bell Bert Apartments as early as the early 1910s (and potentially during the late 1900s).
Apartment 7: Mary E. Newell. Mary E. Newell was the widow of William J. Newell.
Apartment 8: William H. Allison. William H. Allison was the local superintendent of the Canadian Paint Company Limited.
Apartment 9: Vacant.
Apartment 10: Freda (Treda) Tanosuke.
Apartment 11: Oscar H. Pierce. Oscar H. Pierce was the Manager of the Barrett Adding Machine Sales Company.
Apartment 12: Lilian Ross. Lilian Ross was the widow of Robert Ross.
Apartment 13: No information available - it is possible Apartment 13 was skipped in the suite numbering due to superstitions.
Apartment 14: Hugh Watt. Hugh Watt worked boxing lunches at the Truth Building (73 Adelaide Street East).
Apartment 15: John W. Melson and J. S. Robinson. John W. Melson was a teacher at the Central Technical School. Unfortunately, no further information is available about J. S. Robinson at present.
Another early occupant of the Bell Bert Apartments was Bernard V. Atkinson, who resided here circa. 1921 and 1922. Bernard V. Atkinson was an accountant at Price Waterhouse and also served as the Secretary of the Toronto Overseas Club. The Toronto Overseas Club was a branch of the Overseas Club which facilitated relationships between the United Kingdom and its various overseas dominions and territories.
One notable later occupant of the Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) was Father Nicholas Salamis (1897-2005) who lived in Apartment 7 during the late 1930s through mid-1940s. Born in poverty in Leka, Samos, Greece, Father Salamis emigrated to Canada in 1914, then returned to Greece in 1932 to study theology, and then re-emigrated to Canada in 1938. In Toronto, Father Salamis served at Saint George's Greek Orthodox Church (115 Bond Street) prior to moving to Montréal in 1945. Father Salamis has been described as a "legendary Greek Priest" by the Greek Reporter news and as the "shining light" of the Greek-Canadian Eastern Orthodox community by the CBC. Father Salamis served over 4 generations of the Greek-Canadian community, performed more than 10 000 religious ceremonies, and retired at the age of 90. Father Salamis died in Montréal at the age of 108 in 2005.
Further research is required to identify other former residents of the Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street).
A Brief History of Early Apartment Buildings in Toronto:
Communal living (boarding houses, barracks, etc.) have existed in Toronto since the city's inception in the late 18th century. However, the first purpose-built apartment buildings - originally known as apartment houses - did not emerge until 1899.
The emergence of purpose-built apartment buildings within Toronto was due to both their development and proliferation in other North American cities, as well as due to a rapid increase in the population of Toronto within the first 20 years of the 20th century that outpaced the availability of single-family dwellings.
1899 saw the issuance of the building permit for the St. George Mansions at the southwest corner of Harbord Street and St. George Street. The St. George Mansions were completed by 1904 and were considered Toronto's first purpose-built apartment building. Richard Dennis notes in Toronto's First Apartment-House Boom: An Historical Geography, 1900-1920 (1989) that the earliest apartment buildings in Toronto were "large-scale luxury blocks" rather than middle-class efficiency apartments. Dennis (1989) further notes that "by 1907, when the first list of apartment houses was published in the city directory, eight buildings were listed" (14). Post-1907 saw a steady increase in the number of apartment buildings within Toronto alongside a building boom of apartments in the 1910s, albeit the post-1907 buildings were often less luxurious, smaller, and more utilitarian in scheme. By 1918, City of Toronto Directories listed at least 290 apartment buildings within the City of Toronto.
ERA Architects note in their Toronto Building Typology Study: The Pre-War Apartment Building - Church-Wellesley Village (2018) that early apartment buildings in Toronto were often constructed on corner lots (including both streets and laneways). This trend holds true for the Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) which were constructed at the northwest corner of George Street and a laneway, albeit the laneway appears to have been converted into the driveway along the south side of the building post-construction. ERA Architects additionally note in their Building Typology Study (2018) that many early apartment buildings had their first (ground) floor half a storey above street level, as to allow basement suites to receive increased light. This design trend is evident within the Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street).
By 1912, purpose-built apartment buildings in Toronto were the subject of significant controversy due to their alleged facilitation of immorality (partly due to their appeal to single individuals who could live on their own in the units); privacy and sanitation related concerns; the emergence of landlord legislation; perceived risks to property values in the surrounding area; a loss of neighbourhood greenspace with the larger building footprints occupying most of the lot; and societal bias towards renters versus owners. Calls emerged to prohibit the construction of new apartment buildings within pre-established residential areas. Eventually, Toronto City Council passed Bylaw 6061 to prohibit the construction of apartment buildings on specific streets (namely established streets that mostly contained houseform dwellings), albeit developers could still appeal on a case-by-case basis for an exemption. Another bylaw was passed to limit the size of the buildings and mandate a set amount of outdoor space on the lot. The Chief Medical Officer of Toronto - Dr. Charles Hastings - also became involved in the debate with a public health focus on the tenement-like conditions in some Toronto apartment buildings. In 1911-1912, Dr. Hastings testified to Toronto City Council and had particular concerns over overpopulation, poor ventilation, the risk of fire, and some building's internal rooms having no windows.
Controversy later emerged over Bylaw 6061, namely that the prohibition of new buildings was causing rents in existing buildings to skyrocket with rents often increasing by 10% to 35%. A collapse in the property market in 1913-1914 followed by the advent of World War I resulted in a shift of public focus away from the construction of new apartment buildings in Toronto. During World War I, a handful of apartment buildings were constructed in Toronto, followed by an increase after the war that peaked with a building boom in 1928. However, construction of new apartment buildings declined over the following years due to the Great Depression. Notably, the construction of new apartment buildings in many areas required individual bylaws to be passed allowing an exemption for each site. Bylaw 6061 was altered in 1941 on the advice of the City Solicitor who considered it "was illegal for the Council to authorize violations of residential bylaws by passing amending by-laws, if such action was taken for the benefit of private individuals, and not in the general public interest." Dennis (1989) further discerns that post-1941 the practice continued but "whole blocks or streets, rather than individual lots, were specified whenever an exemption was made."
Following World War II, the first apartment high-rise buildings were built in Toronto in the 1950s to 1970s. Condominiums first emerged in Toronto in the 1970s and 1980s.
Of additional note is that the Walsingham Apartments (319-321 Jarvis Street) were constructed to the immediate northwest of the Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) in 1913. The Walsingham Apartments were demolished in the summer of 2021.
For more information on early apartment buildings in Toronto, please see Toronto's First Apartment-House Boom: An Historical Geography, 1900-1920 (1989) by Richard Dennis; and Toronto Building Typology Study: The Pre-War Apartment Building - Church-Wellesley Village (2018) by ERA Architects.
George Street Revitalization Project:
The Bell Bert Apartments (368 George Street) are within or on the boundary of the George Street Revitalization Project.
The stretch of George Street between Dundas Street East and Gerrard Street East is one of the most economically and socially marginalized blocks within Downtown Toronto. In 2013, Toronto City Council unanimously approved the George Street Revitalization Project. According to the City of Toronto, the George Street Revitalization project is a long-term plan and vision that will see "the reinvention of the northernmost block of George Street and transform Seaton House men’s shelter into a world-class facility providing specialized care for vulnerable populations, including a long-term care home, a transitional living facility, an emergency shelter, affordable housing, and a community hub serving residents of both the site and the local neighbourhood." The George Street Revitalization project will also be accompanied by improved streetscapes and "will be the catalyst for a more safe and vibrant community for all in the heart of the historic Garden District."
This stretch of George Street has a long-history of housing social services. In 1864, the Toronto Boys' Home was opened on the east side of George Street just south of Gerrard Street East, which had its own school as well from 1878 onward. These were operated by a board of Protestant trustees and provided housing and educational services for orphaned and unhoused boys who had not been convicted of crimes. In 1909/1910, the Toronto Board of Education constructed the Allan School to the immediate north of the Toronto Boys' Home. The Toronto Boys' Home remained in use until the 1950s. Additionally, in 1887, the Fegan Distributing Home was established at 295 George Street after the property was donated by William Gooderham. The Fegan Distributing Home housed destitute and orphaned boys who were sent to Canada as part of the British Home Children program. Later, in 1931, Seaton House was established by the City of Toronto's Department of Public Welfare at 339 George Street. Seaton House is presently the largest men's shelter in the City of Toronto. The current Seaton House main building dates to 1958. The Seaton House complex also contains numerous outreach services, such as the Annex Harm Reduction Program.
To the immediate south of the Seaton House complex are 7 derelict and vacant houses at 295-311 George Street. These derelict and vacant houses are heritage properties that are owned by the City of Toronto and slated for restoration as part of the George Street Revitalization Project.
Notably, the east side of George Street is within the boundary of the Garden District Heritage Conservation District, whereas the west side appears to be on the boundary of or just outside of the Garden District Heritage Conservation District.
Other buildings on this stretch of George Street include several 19th century and early 20th century houses, some of which have been divided into rooming houses. Several co-operative and social housing buildings - such as the TCHC building at 291 George Street and the Jenny Green Co-Operative at 300 George Street - also exist on this block. The northeast corner of George Street and Dundas Street East is presently home to Filmore's Hotel (212 Dundas Street East), which is slated for restoration and retention as part of a 46-storey residential tower proposed for the site. Comparatively, the northwest corner of George Street and Dundas Street East contains a newly completed tower with the Indigenous Business Incubator and Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship on its first three floors.
The Bell Bert Apartments (1907/1908) at 368 George Street could be a heritage asset within the broader George Street Revitalization Project.
(Research by Adam Wynne)
