Why I Love Anson Jones House: The changing face of Sherbourne StreetThe affluent and sketchy history

Why I Love Anson Jones House: The changing face of Sherbourne StreetThe affluent and sketchy history of Sherbourne St.Sherbourne Street is undergoing a metamorphosis and one only needs to look at the rising tower behind the historic Gooderham Mansion and the James Cooper Mansion. The street was once home to an upscale neighbourhood, but fell into despair with many mansions being abandoned and a rise in prostitution and drug dealings, which attracted the homeless. For more on the history of Sherbourne Street, read my post on the Gooderham Mansion.While the street has a number of major developments occurring, there are still pockets yet to be developed. One development that has been in limbo for years is the Anson Jones House, which sits on the corner of Sherbourne and Howard. In December 2016, The Globe and Mail reported the rebirth on Howard Street, which has been subject to pending gentrification since 2010. The rebirth is happening east of Sherbourne Street, but there are promises it will extend west to the Anson Jones House.Until then, all we can do is use our imagination to envision the beauty it once had.A home time has yet to fully destroyThe heritage home was built for Anson Jones, a ledger keeper for the Quebec Bank (Royal Bank of Canada), whose family lived in the dwelling until 1930. It was built by famed architect Edmund Burke (Hudson’s Bay/ Robert Simpson Store, Casa Loma) in 1895 during a time when he was working alone. The home was designed in a Queen Anne Revival style, which many historians say Burke introduced to the city. What is even more brilliant is the original drawing below by Burke of the house found in the Toronto Archives.The illustration shows the true beauty of this heritage home, which now is in despair and covered with graffiti, posters and broken windows. Like all of Burke’s work, the house was an architectural wonder on a smaller scale than he is used to building. Notable elements of the home include:The red brick and stone cladding, with brick, stone and wood trimThe cross-gable roof with chimneys and hipped dormersThe placement and detailing of the main entrance on the south façade on Howard StreetThe decorative brickwork and stonework on the west elevation facing Sherbourne StreetSunporches with decorative shinglesTerra Cotta trimAccording to an ERA Architect report the home has “minimal damage to the existing heritage fabric of the house” with “many historic decorative elements and finishes remaining.” Apparently, recent interior photos illustrate cabinetwork in the Great Room, a grand honey-coloured staircase and a tiled fireplace in a condition rare with many of these abandoned homes.  While the home is still boarded up, locked and monitored, one can only hope the Howard Street restoration/ development project extends west. The home is bound to be restored, with the ongoing development in the area, but the question is when? -- source link

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