Imagine standing here in 1849. A devastating fire engulfs much of Toronto’s business district. Yet, miraculously, the Daniel Brooke Building remains largely unscathed.
The Daniel Brooke Building stands on the northeast corner of King St E and Jarvis St. It is in Toronto’s Old Town, St Lawrence neighborhood. This historic building was built around 1833. Daniel Brooke, a merchant in the Town of York, commissioned it.
An early mention of the Daniel Brooke Building appeared in an 1835 Toronto newspaper. It advertised space for rent in the “four story Brick Building.”
The Daniel Brooke Building is an architectural gem. It showcases Georgian-style design. The Daniel Brooke Building features three distinct units. Its design includes glazed storefronts and recessed entrances. Splayed brick arches sit above the window openings. An expressed cornice and three pairs of window dormers complete the look.
In 1844, James Austin partnered with Patrick Foy. They founded Foy & Austin. It was a successful wholesale and retail grocery business. It was located in the Daniel Brooke Building.
The structure underwent significant reconstruction between 1848 and 1849. This was shortly before the Great Fire of 1849. The fire started in a nearby stable. Foy & Austin had insured their stock for £1,500.
By 1859, the business was rebranded to “Patrick Foy.” Later, it became “Foy & Sons.” Mr. Austin focused on founding the Dominion Bank. This bank is the predecessor of today’s TD Bank. He also became president of Consumers Gas.
Foy & Sons left the Daniel Brooke Building in the mid-1860s. Various commercial businesses then occupied it. These included another grocery store, a saddlery, and a carriage harness maker. Tailors, a stationer, a dry goods store, and a bookshop also called it home.
In the 1920s, the storefronts at 150, 152, and 154 King St E housed different businesses. The Army Sales Company, a Chinese restaurant, and a hardware store each had a space.
Around 1930, Louis Robins moved from New York City to Toronto. He established the Sportsman’s Shop in the Daniel Brooke Building’s corner storefront. It was also known as the Army and Navy store. It was a popular spot for outdoor and military enthusiasts. It sold tents, camping beds, blankets, and sweaters. Essential gear such as helmets, canteens, knives, sleeping bags, and tarps were also available.
The war effort in the 1940s affected material availability. Canvas, wool, rubber, and nylon were needed for military purposes. After World War II, Canada had a surplus of these materials. This created new opportunities for retailers like Sportsman’s Shop.
The store expanded to occupy two storefronts. An antique shop occupied the third storefront. Louis Robins retired in 1977. His son Harold, who had worked at the store since 1951, took over. Later, his granddaughters joined the family business.
In 1987, architect Steve Callahan and developer George Webster bought the Daniel Brooke Building. That summer, the Sportsman’s Shop closed. The antique shop also left. Callahan-Webster Inc. restored the historic structure to its original condition.
Since the early 1990s, the Daniel Brooke Building has housed various upscale shops and businesses. The Keilhauer furniture showroom is one example.
Daniel Brooke’s father, Captain Daniel Brooke, arrived in the Town of York around 1796. The Austin name is tied to Spadina. This grand mansion, completed in 1866, is now the Spadina Museum.
The Daniel Brooke Building is a rare example of Georgian architecture in Toronto. It was included in Heritage Toronto’s inaugural induction list in June 1973.
In 1986, a demolition application was rejected. City officials recognized the building’s architectural and historical importance. In 1987, Mr. Callahan found an Eaton’s bill and a photo of the Dionne quintuplets on the closed-off upper floors. The Daniel Brooke Building stands diagonally across from St Lawrence Hall.
Today, the Daniel Brooke Building stands as a testament to Toronto’s past. It has survived fire and changing times. It remains a vital part of the city’s heritage.