Description: 

1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue is a 4-storey building located at the northeast corner of Queen Street West and Macdonell Avenue in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. 1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue was constructed in 1892/1893, completed by 1893, and first occupied by 1893/1894. 1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue displays signs of a mix of Romanesque Revival and Second Empire styles of architecture.

1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue was historically known as 1494-1496 Queen Street West. The building originally contained a ground floor storefront in the corner unit, with upstairs institutional spaces. The upstairs institutional spaces may have originally had a ground floor reception area. The upstairs institutional spaces were later converted to offices and then residential spaces.  

The architect and/or builder of 1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue (formerly 1494-1496 Queen Street West) is not known at present. However, archival materials may be able to identify these parties. Notably, Dick and Wickson designed neighbouring 1482-1492 Queen Street West in 1892 - although it is unclear whether that firm had any role in the construction or design of 1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue.

Historical photographs indicate that 1494-1496 Queen Street West originally had an ornate cupola and metal-working on and along the roof. These were removed post-1910.  Readers will also note the 1898 illustration of 1494-1496 Queen Street West shows a building that does not extend all the way north to the laneway. The building was later extended north to the laneway.

Please note that some contemporary sources have provided the date of construction of this building as circa. 1879. However, there is no reference to this building in City of Toronto Directories until 1892/1893 and there is no depiction of the building in the Fire Insurance Plans until 1894.

First Occupants and Uses:  

1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue - formerly 1494-1496 Queen Street West - was first home to the Metropolitan School of Music (1494) and Partridge, Edmondson, & Company (1496 Queen Street West). 

Metropolitan School of Music Ltd.:

The Metropolitan School of Music Ltd. (the Metropolitan School of Music) was established in 1893/1894 and provided education in the arts. The Metropolitan School of Music was based at 1494 Queen Street West for its entire existence (1893/1894-1912) and was absorbed by the Columbian Academy of Music in 1912, which itself was absorbed by the Canadian Academy of Music in 1913/1914. 1494 Queen Street West - in this historical context - appears to refer to a small section of ground floor elevation, as well as the larger upstairs institutional spaces in the building.

The Metropolitan School of Music was one of several music conservatories and schools that emerged in Toronto during the last quarter of the 19th century.  The Metropolitan School of Music provided general and specialized musical and fine arts education for pupils age 6 and up, alongside offering a specialized kindergarten program for pupils age 5 and up. The Metropolitan School of Music also offered public concerts and free public lectures on the history and theory of music. By 1898, the school had pupils enrolling from across Canada and the United States. Further research is required to determine if the school had an onsite residence for students enrolling from outside of Toronto. 

The Annual Calendar (1898/1899) for the Metropolitan School of Music notes that the school offered both general and specialized lessons. The school also promoted the adaptability and flexibility of their courses and curriculum as to best suit individual pupils' needs and talents. Beginners were encouraged to enrol as they were "uninterrupted by the tedious process of unlearning." The Metropolitan School of Music also offered at-home lessons for students who could not attend in person, as well as lessons in staff members' private studios.  

The Metropolitan School of Music had sponsorships from a number of Canada's leading manufacturers of musical instruments. These sponsorships partially took the form of scholarships, such as the Gerhard Heintzman Scholarship and the Karn Gold Medal. Sir Edmund Osler - the Member of Parliament for York West (1896-1917) and a founder and benefactor of the Royal Ontario Museum - was on the Board of Directors and also offered a private annual scholarship of $25. 

The Director of Education and Music for the entire existence of the Metropolitan School of Music was Wesley Octavius (W. O.) Forsyth (1859-1937). W. O. Forsyth was born in Markham Township of York County (Ontario) in 1859. Forsyth was considered a particularly talented pianist and studied under Edward Fisher as a child.  During the 1880s, Forsyth attended the Leipzig Conservatory in Germany and trained under a number of leading 19th century European musicians, including Salomon Jadassohn, Martin Krause, Adolf Ruthardt, and Richard Hofmann. Upon returning to Toronto, Forsyth established the Metropolitan School of Music in 1893/1894. Forsyth authored a number of compositions and articles which were published in both Canadian and international music journals. Forsyth also had a private studio in and taught at the Nordheimer showroom and warehouse at 15 King Street East. As of 1900, he lived at 112 College Street. Following the absorption of the Metropolitan School of Music by the Canadian Academy of Music, Forsyth appears to have continued teaching and writing music in the Toronto area. Several of his compositions were broadcast on radio. Forsyth's former students formed a music appreciation club called The Forsyth Club following World War I. Regarding his personal life: Wesley O. Forsyth was married to Sara Stewart McGee (1861-1945) and had 1 daughter: Marjorie Stewart Forsyth (1892-1963). Wesley O. Forsyth died in May 1937. 

By 1898, the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan School of Music contained a number of eminent citizens: 

Education and Music Director: Wesley Octavius Forsyth.

President:  Thomas Crawford - the Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto Northwest and Toronto West (1896-1924).

Vice Presidents:  Sir Edmund B. Osler - Member of Parliament for York West (1896-1917) and a founder and benefactor of the Royal Ontario Museum; William T. R. Preston - the Librarian for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario; Samuel Hunter - the cartoonist for Toronto's leading newspapers; and James Scott - the Vice President of the Georgian Bay Lumber Company.

Treasurer: William H. Auger - the Manager of the Provincial Building and Loan Association.

Secretary: Edmond L. Roberts. 

Bankers: The Standard Bank.  

Many of these members of the Board of Directors lived in the West End of Toronto, with at least 2 residing on Jameson Avenue. 

The Annual Calendar (1898/1899) of the Metropolitan School of Music provided the following description of the premises: 

"The building occupied, Nos. 1494-1496 Queen Street West, corner of Macdonell Avenue, is admirably adapted for the work of the institution. The reception, office, class and lecture rooms, and recital hall are spacious and attractive. Facing the building are extensive private grounds, which make an agreeable outlook, and the surroundings generally are pleasing in every respect. The "Queen" street cars cover the distance from Yonge Street in twenty minutes." (page 5). 

In December 1899, the Metropolitan School of Music put on a charitable concert for the Canadian South African Contingent that were heading to the Boer War. This was one of a number of charitable concerts hosted by the school.

The National Council of Women identified in Women of Canada: Their Life and Work (1900) - a publication prepared for the Paris International Exhibition - that at least 17 women were employed as teachers at the Metropolitan School of Music. Many of the teachers - both male and female - were also involved with church choirs and music in the Toronto area.

Mazo de la Roche - the well-known novelist - attended the Metropolitan School of Music and Parkdale Collegiate while her family lived at 157 Dunn Avenue, Parkdale in the late 19th century. 

The Metropolitan School of Music was absorbed by the Columbian Academy of Music in 1912 and became its Parkdale branch. The Columbian Academy of Music was then absorbed by the Canadian Academy of Music in 1913/1914. Enrolment in musical conservatories and schools dramatically dropped following the start of World War I. By 1915, the music school had vacated 1494 Queen Street West. The Canadian Academy of Music later merged with other area conservatories to form The Royal Conservatory of Music in 1924.

Partridge, Edmondson, & Company:

Partridge, Edmondson, & Company - dealers in flour, dry goods, and produce - occupied the ground floor, corner storefront of 1496 Queen Street West between 1896 and 1897. Prior to 1896, the corner storefront appears to have been vacant. 

Partridge, Edmondson, & Company was owned and operated by Edward James Partridge (1853-1943) and Thomas M. Edmondson. Both the Partridge and Edmondson families lived nearby on Macdonell Avenue - with the Partridges living at 31 Macdonell Avenue and the Edmondsons living at 12 Macdonell Avenue.  Partridge, Edmondson, & Company appears to have ceased operations by 1898.

Edward J. Partridge was from Crown Hill, Ontario. He was likely a relative of Edward Alexander Partridge (1861-1931) - a prominent author, businessman, and agrarian radical and a person of National Historical Significance, as both Edwards were from Crown Hill.

Later Occupants and Uses: 

Please note that the following list is not exhaustive of all former occupants and uses and aims to provide a general overview. Dates are also approximate. 

1899:

1494 Queen Street West: Metropolitan School of Music. 

1496 Queen Street West: James A. Kemp. James Kemp was a flour merchant who was briefly based at 1496 Queen Street West in 1899.

1900:

1494 Queen Street West: Metropolitan School of Music.

1496 Queen Street West: Frank A. Gray - drugstore. The Gray family are significant to the history of Parkdale. Please see the entry for 1267-1271 Queen Street West for more information.

1910:

1494 Queen Street West: Metropolitan School of Music.

1496 Queen Street West: Gordon Tamblyn - drugstore.

1913:

1494 Queen Street West: Columbian Academy of Music. 

1496 Queen Street West: G. Tamblyn Ltd. - drugstore.

The Metropolitan School of Music was absorbed by the Columbian Academy of Music in 1912; then the Columbian Academy of Music was absorbed by the Canadian Academy of Music in 1913/1914.

1914:

1494 Queen Street West: The Canadian Academy of Music Ltd. - Parkdale Branch.

1496 Queen Street West: G. Tamblyn Ltd. - drugstore.

1915, 1920: 

1494 Queen Street West: Vacant.

1496 Queen Street West: G. Tamblyn Ltd. - drugstore. 

1925:

By 1925, the building appears to have been divided into a series of commercial, office (including medical), and residential spaces. 

1494 Queen Street West: Dr. Charles A. McLean - dentist; Dr. Keith H. Davey - dentist; Shaws Parkdale Business School - part of the larger Shaws Business College (est. 1892) network; and a branch of F. W. Woolworth & Co. Ltd. 

1496 Queen Street West: William H. Dunne's residence (likely upstairs). Dunne manufactured skates at 243 Macdonell Avenue. 

Circa. 1930s:

By the 1930s, 1494-1496 had been consolidated together and were home to a F. W. Woolworth & Company. By 1940, F. W. Woolworth & Company had moved into neighbouring 1490-1492 Queen Street West. F. W. Woolworth & Company was an international discount department store. 

The above-mentioned dental offices and business school were also still based here as of 1940, alongside the Adele Dancing Studio. 

Circa. 1940-1950:

Circa. 1940-1950, 1496 Queen Street West housed a branch of Power Self Serve Warehouses / Power Food Markets. 

By 1950, the address 1494 Queen Street West appears to have fallen into disuse.

Circa: 1960: 

Circa. 1960, 1496 Queen Street West housed Foodbin - a grocery store. 

Circa. 1969:

As of 1969, 1496 Queen Street West housed Good Boy Appliances - an electrical and household appliance store.

1970-2006:

Further research is required to discern former occupants and uses of the building during this period in time.  

Late 2000s:

During the late 2000s, 1496 Queen Street West was home to Parkdale Furniture and Mattress. 

Early 2010s:

During the early 2010s, 1496 Queen Street West was home to the Ground Level Café.

Present Day (2021):

1496 Queen Street West: A&W franchise restaurant. 

1 Macdonell Avenue: Makara Tattoo - a tattoo parlour.  Please note that 1 Macdonell Avenue is not a formal address within the City of Toronto Interactive Map. 

Upstairs: The upstairs spaces of 1496 Queen Street West have been renovated into upscale apartment and condominum units.  Access is via an entrance on Macdonell Avenue.

Recent Renovation and Sale:  

1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue was intensively renovated during the mid-2010s. In July 2021, 1496 Queen Street West / 3 Macdonell Avenue was listed as for sale. This may have been the result of the redevelopment application for a 6-storey building at neighbouring 1488 Queen Street West.  

Research by Adam Wynne.