Spruce Court
Toronto, Canada
A small Canadian co-operative in Torornto, built in two phases.
| Garden City Type: | Cooperative |
| Country: | Canada |
| City: | Toronto |
| Years of construction: |
1913 Start construction 1925 Completion
|
| Initiator/client: | Toronto Housing Company |
| Architect or related: |
Eden Smith Eden Smith (1858‒1949) was born in Birmingham, England. He moved to Toronto in 1887, where he opened his own architectural office. His buildings integrated many principles of the late 19th century Arts and Crafts movement in his architecture: simple and functional design, integration of the interior and exterior, as well as access to |
| Heritage status: | Yes |
| Explanation: | The complex was individually listed on the City of Toronto’s Inventory of Heritage Properties by City Council on June20th, 1973, and has been designated under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act as part of the Cabbagetown South Heritage Conservation District Plan since 2005. |
| General condition of Garden City: | Good condition |
General description
In an effort to deal with the social, public health and housing crisis that was caused by the rapid urbanisation of Toronto in the early 20th century, groups concerned about providing modern and healthy rental housing at affordable prices came together. This led to the creation of the Toronto Housing Company in 1912.
Construction began on a vacant block of land on Spruce Street, that had been leased from the Toronto General Hospital Trust. The 77 units of the Spruce Court Co-operative, Inc. are situated at the corner of Spruce and Sumach Streets, in Cabbagetown. The first half of the project, Sumach Street courtyard, was built in 1913. The Spruce Street courtyard was built in 1925.
The plan for Spruce Court was based on the English garden city ideal: a combination of the best of city and country living with a central location and urban conveniences, together with access to fresh air, lawns, gardens and trees.
