The Gelber Bros. Limited ghost sign is located at 225 Richmond St W (at Duncan St, on the southwest corner) in the Entertainment District of Toronto.
On the west side of the building, there is a ghost sign that reads, “Gelber Bros. Limited Wholesale Woollens and Dress Goods.” This building was originally home to a textile company founded by brothers Moses and Louis Gelber, who were prominent members of Toronto’s Jewish community. The structure was designed by architect Louis Yolles and constructed in two phases: the first began in 1910, followed by the second in 1920. In 1932, the Gelber brothers expanded their operations by adding a warehouse known as the New Textile Building, which is located across the street at 205 Richmond St W.
The Gelber Bros. Limited ghost sign underwent restoration in 2020, and currently, the heritage-designated building serves as commercial and office space.
Gelber Bros. Limited Ghost Sign Photos
April 4, 2021 – On the west-facing wall of the Gelber Building at 217-225 Richmond St W in Toronto’s Entertainment District, there’s a restored ghost sign that reads “Gelber Bros. Limited Wholesale Woollens and Dress Goods”December 27, 2019 – The faded Gelber Bros. ghost sign is located on the west side of the building at 217-225 Richmond St W and Duncan St in Toronto’s Entertainment District. The building, constructed in two phases beginning in 1910, was originally home to Moses and Louis Gelber’s textile companyJanuary 27, 2024 – Looking southeast towards the Gelber Building located at 217-225 Richmond St W and Duncan St in Toronto. The ghost sign, which says “Gelber Bros. Limited Wholesale Woollens and Dress Goods,” was restored in 2020. The building originally served as headquarters to Moses and Louis Gelber’s textile business. Today the heritage-designated building is home to commercial and office spaceBetween 1990 and 1998 – Looking northeast from a vacant lot on the east side of Widmer St, south of Richmond St W in the Entertainment District of Toronto. Visible on the left is the Gelber Bros. ghost sign located at 225 Richmond St W, while the tall grey concrete building in the background is the Sheraton Centre Hotel, which is situated at 123 Queen St W (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1465, File 51, Item 48 – Urban Design photographs)1972 – Looking east on Richmond St W from Peter St in downtown Toronto. The archive photo features two ghost signs: “Eno’s Fruit Salts” on the building at 260 Richmond St W and “Gelber Bros.” in the background. Today, only the restored Gelber Bros. ghost sign remains (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 48, Item 31)
