Resident heartsick after Art Deco brickwork on building at Kingston and Scarborough roads ‘mutilated’

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

Residents and local historians are disappointed after discovering renovations to a commercial building they say should have been listed in the city’s historical register years ago.

“I am heartsick that another one of our heritage buildings has been mutilated,” said Barbara Myrvold in an email to Beach Metro, describing renovation work being carried out on the exterior of 968–976 Kingston Rd. and 281–285 Scarborough Rd.

The commercial building, which was built in 1931, occupies a portion of the block on the north side of Kingston Road between Scarborough and Kingswood roads.

The building currently houses Savoury Grounds, a Subway restaurant, Courage foods, and Hand And Stone massage.

On Tuesday, April 21, residents noticed that the building’s Flemish Bond brickwork (every second brick turned sideways) and decorative concrete frieze banding was being removed, sparking outrage from members of The Beach And East Toronto Historical Society (TBETHS) in particular, who nominated the property for inclusion in the Toronto Heritage Register back in 2019.

“The building is not listed on the Toronto Heritage Register, although the Society nominated it to the Register in 2019,” explained Myrvold.

In an email to Beach Metro Community News, the city’s media relations team confirmed that neither the Kingston or Scarborough roads properties are listed on the city’s heritage register.

 “Tenants received no notice of this work. The workers are very deliberately defacing the property, in order to prepare it for redevelopment. And they have no work permit,” said a resident who wished to remain anonymous.

However, the City of Toronto’s website said no building permit is required before “re-cladding a house or small building (three storeys or less) with non-combustible material other than brick or stone veneer.”

According to the City of Toronto Property System database, the property owner for the address of 968 Kingston Rd. (the only valid address on file) is Back to School Investments Ltd., a company with no active website or commercial listings and no clear business operations that Beach Metro Community News could discover in a search.

Despite not being listed on the heritage register or requiring any building permit, members of TBETHS argue that the building’s exterior played an integral role in its historical significance and architectural value.

“Most of its distinctive architectural features have been removed or covered in less than a week,” said Myrvold. “The building is a rare, albeit modest example of Art Deco style in the neighbourhood, and being a one-story building makes it all the more unusual.  Art Deco was popular in Toronto from about 1925 to 1940.”

In its earlier days, she said the building served as a commercial hub in the area, housing four storefronts on the Kingston Road frontage, and four smaller storefronts on Scarborough Road.

“The corner store was first occupied by a branch of Laura Secord Candy Shops, and it remained a neighbourhood fixture until the 1970s,” said Myrvold.

“Other stores and services that also have been important to local residents over the years include a series of discount department stores at 972-974 Kingston Rd., initially a Selrite Store, the first of the chain in Toronto, and later a Bargain Harold’s, the first store in what became a chain of more than 50 stores.”

Myrvold said she believes the building’s exterior should have been preserved due to its “historical, contextual, and architectural importance” to the neighbourhood.

“The building is an integral part of the commercial strip along Kingston Road that has served the community for many years,” said Myrvold.

Beach Metro Community News will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Letters to the Editor: Loss of Art Deco brickwork on building sad to see