Keg Mansion – The Gothic Heritage Home Once Occupied by the Massey’s

2020 - The Keg Mansion is located at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto
2020 – The Keg Mansion is located at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto

The Keg Mansion is a stately home located at 515 Jarvis St (just north of Wellesley St E on the east side) in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto.

The Architecture of Keg Mansion

Built in 1868, the Gothic-style mansion was designed by William Young for Arthur McMaster (nephew of William McMaster, who founded the university). At the time, this part of Jarvis St was known as “Millionaires Row.” It was where the city’s upper class went to escape the busy downtown.

When Mr McMaster passed away in the early 1880s, Hart Massey, the very successful agricultural equipment manufacturer, purchased the home. The house was named Euclid Hall and, at one time, had a greenhouse on the south side. The Massey family also built one of Canada’s most influential entertainment venues, Massey Hall.

The Home After the Massey’s

Circa 1912 - The Keg Mansion is located at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood. The home was once the residence of the Massey family
Circa 1912 – The Keg Mansion is located at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood. The home was once the residence of the Massey family (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 3070)

When the Masseys no longer owned the mansion, it became a women’s college, a veterans hospital, an art/antiques gallery and in 1927, the first home of CFRB radio station (today’s Newstalk 1010). In the 1960s, it became the popular Julie’s Restaurant and the Bombay Bicycle Club (upstairs).

This historic jewel received heritage status from the city in 1975. In the mid-1970s, the mansion became home to The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, which is still the restaurant.

Haunted Tales

There are rumours of a few ghosts haunting the Keg Mansion. One such spirit is thought to be the maid of Lillian Massey Treble (the only daughter of Hart Massey). After Lillian’s passing, the maid was so distraught that she hanged herself in the foyer. Some have said a female presence exists in the women’s washroom. Stall doors unlock, and toilets flush all by themselves plus, they’ve had the eerie feeling that someone is watching them. There have also been sightings of a young boy playing on the staircase and the sounds of children playing upstairs. Click for more haunted tales.

Keg Mansion Photos

Circa 1920 – Looking northeast towards the Massey-Treble Mansion located at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in Toronto. Notice the home once had an attached greenhouse
Circa 1920 – Looking northeast towards the Massey-Treble Mansion located at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in Toronto. Notice the home once had an attached greenhouse (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 281)
2020 - The Keg Mansion is located at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. The Gothic-style mansion was built in 1868 for Arthur McMaster (the nephew of William McMaster, who founded the university) and purchased in the 1880s by Hart Massey
2020 – The Keg Mansion is located at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. The Gothic-style mansion was built in 1868 for Arthur McMaster (the nephew of William McMaster, who founded the university) and purchased in the 1880s by Hart Massey
2022 - Looking east towards the Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood
2022 – Looking east towards the Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood
2023 - Looking toward the northeast corner of Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in Toronto’s Upper Jarvis neighbourhood. Notice The Keg Mansion behind the convenience store and gas station. The mansion was once the residence of the Massey family
2023 – Looking toward the northeast corner of Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in Toronto’s Upper Jarvis neighbourhood. Notice The Keg Mansion behind the convenience store and gas station. The mansion was once the residence of the Massey family
1972 – Looking northeast towards the corner of Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood
1972 – Looking northeast towards the corner of Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 49, Item 25)
2022 - Looking towards the northeast corner of Jarvis St and Wellesley St E. The Keg Mansion stands behind the convenience store and gas station
2022 – Looking towards the northeast corner of Jarvis St and Wellesley St E. The Keg Mansion stands behind the convenience store and gas station
2020 - Looking northeast toward the Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. The home was built in 1868 for Arthur McMaster. It was purchased in the early 1880s by Hart Massey, the founder of the agricultural equipment manufacturing company
2020 – Looking northeast toward the Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. The home was built in 1868 for Arthur McMaster. It was purchased in the early 1880s by Hart Massey, the founder of the agricultural equipment manufacturing company
2023 - Looking southeast toward the Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. The stately home was once owned by the Massey family, who built one of Canada’s most influential entertainment venues, Massey Hall
2023 – Looking southeast toward the Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. The stately home was once owned by the Massey family, who built one of Canada’s most influential entertainment venues, Massey Hall
2022 - The Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St was previously home to a women’s college, a veterans hospital, an art/antiques gallery, CFRB radio station (today’s Newstalk 1010), Julie’s Restaurant and the Bombay Bicycle Club
2022 – The Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St was previously home to a women’s college, a veterans hospital, an art/antiques gallery, CFRB radio station (today’s Newstalk 1010), Julie’s Restaurant and the Bombay Bicycle Club
2020 - The entrance of the Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St in Toronto’s Upper Jarvis neighbourhood
2020 – The entrance of the Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St in Toronto’s Upper Jarvis neighbourhood
Circa 1912 - Looking east towards what’s known today as The Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E. The part of Jarvis St was once known as “Millionaires Row” and was where the city’s upper class went to escape the busy downtown
Circa 1912 – Looking east towards what’s known today as The Keg Mansion at 515 Jarvis St, just north of Wellesley St E. The part of Jarvis St was once known as “Millionaires Row” and was where the city’s upper class went to escape the busy downtown (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 3070)
2020 – Looking north towards Petro-Canada and The Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E
2020 – Looking north towards Petro-Canada and The Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E
2022- Looking northeast toward The Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. There are rumours of a few ghosts haunting the stately home. One of those includes a female presence said to be in the women’s washroom unlocking stall doors and flushing toilets
2022- Looking northeast toward The Keg Mansion at Jarvis St and Wellesley St E in the Upper Jarvis neighbourhood of Toronto. There are rumours of a few ghosts haunting the stately home. One of those includes a female presence said to be in the women’s washroom unlocking stall doors and flushing toilets
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