Once a schoolhouse, now a heritage building. That’s the story of the Former Cherry Street Hotel. Today, we stand before a piece of Toronto’s evolving history. It stands at the southeast corner of Front and Cherry Streets. This is in the West Don Lands neighborhood.
Originally, this building was the Palace Street School. It opened its doors in 1859. Joseph Sheard designed it. He later became Mayor of Toronto. Back then, Front Street was known as Palace Street. The area was primarily residential. The school aimed to serve the growing population. It was a free school under the Toronto Board of Education. The school had two rooms. Each room held 80 to 90 students. One room was for boys. The other was for girls.
In 1882, Georgina Riches became the principal. This appointment caused quite a stir. Some say it was because she was Toronto’s first female principal. She also earned the same pay as a man. Others say the opposition came from more experienced female teachers. These teachers had higher qualifications. The school closed in 1887. Students were transferred to a school on Sackville Street. Riches also moved there.
Robert Irvine bought the building. He transformed it into a 40-room hotel. It was known as the Irvine House. Later, Mr. Darcy acquired it. He renamed it the Cherry Street Hotel. By 1904, it was the Eastern Star Hotel. But the hotel business didn’t last. By 1910, the hotel was vacant. It remained empty until 1922.
The Thomas Davidson Manufacturing Company took over the building. They made enamelware. Antipitzky Metal Company also moved in. An addition was built for industrial and warehouse use. General Steel Ware operated here. Later, Tippet and Richardson used the building.
In 1965, the Canary Restaurant moved here. It came from Dundas Street and University Avenue. The Vlahos family ran the Canary Grill. It kept its 1960s décor. The restaurant’s preserved look was used for movie shoots. It rented studio apartments to artists. It also provided spaces for small businesses. People believe the restaurant was in the hotel’s former tavern.
The building was designated a heritage structure in 1976. The Canary Restaurant closed in 2007. The area’s demolition led to a decline in business. The interior was gutted. The signage was removed. The brickwork and facades were restored.
The Government of Ontario bought the hotel building. They initially planned to convert it into a community center. However, the project was canceled. Waterfront Toronto revitalized the area. The Former Cherry Street Hotel and the CN Railway Police building were preserved. New residential condominiums were constructed. They served as the 2015 Pan American Games Athletes’ Village. After the games, they became private residences. This development was named the Canary District. It was named after the famous restaurant.
Today, the Former Cherry Street Hotel stands as a reminder of Toronto’s past. It has seen many transformations. From a school to a hotel to an industrial building, its walls have stories to tell. The building will be restored by ERA Architects. It will house retail on the ground floor. Offices will be above. It will also be part of the Toronto Indigenous Hub.