National Hotel, Toronto

For other uses, see National Hotel.
The National Hotel in 1945.

The National Hotel was a hotel built on the southeast corner of King and Sherbourne streets, in Toronto, Canada.[1][2] The hotel was originally called the "British Exchange Inn" when it was run by its first proprietor George Ross. The hotel was listed in the 1856 Boulton Atlas. In 1861 tax records show it was a three story brick building.

The "Terry Museum", one of Toronto's first museums, was housed in the hotel from 1874 to 1878.[2]

In 1878 the hotel was called the Grand Central Hotel and was managed by a William Burke, who expanded the building east -- "likely in response to legislation enacted under pressure from the temperance movement".[2] Hotels needed to offer a certain number of rooms to rent before they were entitled to a liquor license.

Charles Brewer, the owner in 1905, further expanded the structure to the south.[2] The architect responsible for the 1905 expansion was Henry Simpson, a protege of E.J. Lennox, whose design was in the Richardsonian Romanesque style.[3] The property was listed on the City of Toronto Inventory of Heritage Properties in 1973.

In 2009 Ram's Head Development, the building's current owners, announced plans to replace the building with an 18 story high-rise.[2] The plan stirred controversy and the City of Toronto applied to have the property designated under the Ontario Heritage Act.[3] The building was protected under the heritage act on October 27, 2009.[4][5] The plan was changed to tear down the building, and its neighbours, but to preserve the building's historic north and west facades.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Patty Wimsa (2009-01-06). "Shedding new light on Old Town". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on 2015-02-04. Retrieved 2015-02-03. Even now, a proposal to build a condo tower at the corner of Sherbourne St. and King St. E. threatens an 1857 building called the National Hotel, situated within the original 10 blocks of the old town.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Former National Hotel in peril" (PDF). Better Planning for All. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-03-11.
  3. 1 2 "Reasons for Designation (Statement of Significance)-- 251 King Street East: National Hotel" (PDF). City of Toronto. 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-03-11.
  4. ↑ "Heritage Property Detail -- Address: 251 King St E". City of Toronto. 2009-10-27. Archived from the original on 2013-03-12. Grand Central Hotel, 1868; later National Hotel & Tavern; alt. 1905, Henry Simpson -adopted by City Council on June 20, 1973. Designation By-law 1086-2009 enacted October 27, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Wrecking crews clearing sites for Casa 2, King+ and King Charlotte condo tower construction". The Toronto Blog. 2012-10-26. Archived from the original on 2013-03-12. March 5, 2009: The designated heritage building at 251 King East was constructed in 1868 as the Grand Central Hotel; it later became the National Hotel & Tavern. Designed by Henry Simpson, it received heritage designation in 2009.
  6. ↑ Catherine Nasmith (2009-11-18). "National Hotel Reprieve". Built Heritage News. Archived from the original on 2013-03-12. Councillor Pam McConnell stepped out of the chair to move motions to receive the TPB motion, to support the staff advice and refuse permission to demolish the building. In addition her motions asked for a peer review of the advice of E.R.A and Morden Yolles recommending the demolish and rebuild approach. They all passed with an overwhelming majority.

External links

Coordinates: 43°39′04″N 79°22′05″W / 43.6512°N 79.3680°W / 43.6512; -79.3680

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