Looking southeast towards the corner of Church St and Richmond St E, in the Old Town, St Lawrence neighbourhood of Toronto.
The five-story building shown in the photos is designed in the Art Deco style and was constructed in 1930 by architects Murray Brown and A.G. Elton for the J. Frank Raw Company. It was the “only manufacturer of surveying instruments and blueprinting machinery in the Dominion” at the time.
Upon its completion, the building received praise for its striking and graceful design, which featured octagonal windows on the top floor, wrought-iron balconies, ornamental lamps and an elegant entrance. The structure was constructed using reinforced concrete, steel, stone, and stucco.
The building initially served as the headquarters for the J. Frank Raw Company until the mid-1950s, after which it became home to various other businesses. In 1978, the building was added to the city’s heritage register. More recently, the main floor was occupied by the former Golden Thai restaurant. Additionally, in both photos, the steeple of the Cathedral Church of St James is visible on the right.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: J. Frank Raw Building at 103 Church St
- Ontario Heritage Trust: J. Frank Raw Building at 103 Church St
- The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: Jan 24, 1930, pg 32 (J. Frank Raw Building at Church St and Richmond St E, southeast corner)
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
