Description:

1196-1204 Yonge Street is a 3-to-4 storey commercial block located at the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Birch Avenue in the Summerhill neighbourhood of Toronto. 1196-1204 Yonge Street was constructed in 1888/1889 and is in the Italianate style of architecture. 

1196-1204 Yonge Street is intrinsically linked to the late 19th century development of this section of Yonge Street and the broader Summerhill neighbourhood. Constructed in 1888/1889, 1196-1204 Yonge Street is also one of the oldest surviving buildings on Yonge Street within the Summerhill neighbourhood.  

The architect and/or builder of 1196-1204 Yonge Street is not known at present. However, archival resources — presently inaccessible to the public due to the COVID-19 pandemic-related closures of various archival collections — may be able to identify these parties.

In 1914-1916, this section of Yonge Street was regraded (lowered) to allow for the construction of the Canadian Pacific rail bridge to the south (which replaced an at-grade rail crossing). This resulted in the lowering of the storefronts at 1196-1204 Yonge Street to meet the new grade of street. The original storefront cornices (dating to before the re-grading) remain visible on the building. 

The storefronts of 1196-1204 Yonge Street have been consolidated together in various configurations over time.  The building presently contains storefronts on its Yonge Street elevation, with upstairs residential space(s) accessed via Birch Avenue.

Early Occupants and Uses: 

As of 1889/1890, the occupants and uses of 1196-1204 Yonge Street were: 

1196 Yonge Street: Miss Maud Mason — stationery shop.

1198 Yonge Street: Lester Teepell — grocer.

1200 Yonge Street: William J. Farr — butcher.

1202 Yonge Street: Vacant. 

1204 Yonge Street: Watson & Morrison — dressmakers; and James Fraser — a machinist at J. T. McGeary.  

As of 1890/1891, the occupants and uses of 1196-1204 Yonge Street were: 

1196 Yonge Street: W. V. Cook — drugstore.

1198 Yonge Street: Lester Teepell — grocer. 

1200 Yonge Street: William J. Farr — butcher.

1202 Yonge Street: John Towers — tailor.

1204 Yonge Street: John Bolwell — shoemaker. 

Later Occupants and Uses: 

Circa 1894/1895:

1196 Yonge Street: William V. Cook — drugstore; and Post Office Branch.

1198 Yonge Street: William G. Phillips — grocer.

1200 Yonge Street: William J. McCully — plumber.

1202 Yonge Street: Mrs. Z. A. Williams — dressmaker; Miss C. Williams — milliner; and Richard Williams. 

1204 Yonge Street: Misses Reeve — confectioner.

Circa 1899/1900:

1196 Yonge Street: William V. Cook — drugstore.

1198 Yonge Street: M. Richards — grocer.

1200 Yonge Street: Bentley & Company — produce; and William J. Bentley.

1202 Yonge Street: Vacant.

1204 Yonge Street: B. Reeve — confectioner; and Arthur H. Higham.

Circa 1909/1910:

1196 Yonge Street: H. N. Winter — drugstore; and Canadian Pacific Railway Telegraphs branch. 

1198 Yonge Street: William J. Blenden — grocer.

1200 Yonge Street: G. H. Moore — tailor.

1202 Yonge Street: Charles Coady — stationery.

1204 Yonge Street: Alberta Albin. 

Circa 1914/1915:

1196 Yonge Street: Michael Gretes — confectionery.

1198 Yonge Street: William J. Blandin — grocer.

1200 Yonge Street: Edith Harvey.

1202 Yonge Street: Charles Coady — restaurant.

1204 Yonge Street: Alberta Albin — confectionery.

Circa 1919/1920:

1196 Yonge Street: Vacant.

1198 Yonge Street: Vacant.

1200 Yonge Street: Vacant.

1202 Yonge Street: William Nelson Knechtel — undertaker.

1204 Yonge Street: Henry Tough.

Circa 1929/1930:

1196 Yonge Street: Chinese Restaurant.

1198-1200 Yonge Street: Robert Strachan — baker.

1202 Yonge Street: York Burial Company — undertakers; and William N. Knechtel.

1204 Yonge Street: Alberta Hairdressing Shoppe — hairdresser and salon; and Leonard Markham.

Circa 1939/1940:

1196 Yonge Street: Leader Electric. 

1198 Yonge Street: Frank Topping — bird supplies.

1200 Yonge Street: Spark Plugs Services & Equipment Company. 

1202 Yonge Street: York Burial Company; and William N. Knechtel.

1204 Yonge Street: Claire's Salon; Charlotte A. Foley; Bessie Anstey; and Sydney B. Drinkwater. 

Circa 1949/1950:

1196 Yonge Street: Leader Electric and Universal Repair Service. 

1198-1200 Yonge Street: Chicken Shop — delicatessen.

1202 Yonge Street: York Burial Company — undertakers; and Katherine L. Enright.

1204 Yonge Street: George Gilbert— real estate; William N. Knechtel; and Sarah Allison.

Circa 1959/1960:

1196 Yonge Street: Leader Electric — electric appliances; Universal Repair Service.

1198-1200 Yonge Street: Chicken Shop — delicatessen.

1202 Yonge Street: Vacant.

1204 Yonge Street: Nick & Cass — barber shop; and Stanley J. West. 

Circa 1968/1969:

1196 Yonge Street: R. G. Perkins Antiques.

1202 Yonge Street: Cas Coiffure — beauty salon; Smart Molly — graphics placement service; Joan Burt; and Personal Maid Services — apartment cleaning services. 

1204 Yonge Street: Cas Barber Shop; Robert S. Tatum; G. C. Jones; and E. B. Clark. 

Present Day (as of September 2021):

1196-1200 Yonge Street: Vacant, most recently home to Lemonwood — luxury clothing.

1202 Yonge Street: Art by Donna Sved — art gallery.

1204 Yonge Street: Joseph's Hairstyling.

Redevelopment (Ongoing from November 2021):

In November 2021, a redevelopment application for 1196-1210 Yonge Street and 2-8 Birch Avenue was made publicly available. The application includes demolition of the extant building at 1196-1204 Yonge Street & 2-6A Birch Avenue to allow for the construction of a 14-storey mixed use building (known as "Yonge and Birch Condos") at the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Birch Avenue. 1196-1204 Yonge Street & 2-6A Birch Avenue is an excellent candidate for restoration and retention. Steps should be taken to ensure on site heritage resources are not lost during this redevelopment. 

(Research by Adam Wynne)