The Ideal-Tile terrazzo storefront entryway is located at 183 King St E (west of Jarvis St) in the Old Town, St Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto.
The eye-catching yellow and grey terrazzo step proudly displays the name “IDEAL-TILE.” Historical records from the Toronto City Directory show that the company operated from this address between 1950 and 1951. They specialized in selling rubber, plastic, and marboleum tiles, plywood, mirrors, arborite, linoleum, bathroom cabinets, and an array of other products.
This three-story commercial building dates back to 1855. It was initially occupied by Alexander Hamilton, an Irish-born entrepreneur who ran a painting, paper-hanging, and decorating business from the premises until the year before he died in 1883, which was due to handling toxic materials. Over the decades, the building has housed a variety of other companies, including Ideal-Tile. In 1973, the building was added to the city’s heritage register.
Ideal-Tile Storefront Entryway Photos
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 183 King St E
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Jan 22, 1883, pg 8
- The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: May 19, 1950, pg 55
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
