Built in 1914/15, the building was originally home to the Davis Dance Academy on the main floor, with a residential apartment on the second floor. The building was later converted into a bowling alley and also housed commercial tenants.
In 1964, Ann Dunn bought the property, renovated the building, and opened The Matador, a live country music club. The venue hosted many famous artists, including Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Gordon Lightfoot and k.d. lang. The Matador closed down in 2007. There is currently a proposal in place for a mixed-use development at this location (Toronto Public Library Lochist-BL-074)
The mansion, designed in the Second Empire style by architect Charles J. Read, was built in 1881 for James Cooper, who was a partner in Cooper and Smith, a footwear manufacturing firm. Mr. Cooper lived in the home until 1894.
Later, the mansion became known as the Keeley Institute for Nervous Diseases. In 1910, the Knights of Columbus acquired the property and remained there until approximately 2005. Following this, the Tridel Group redeveloped the historic mansion, moving it closer to the sidewalk and integrating it into a 33-storey residential tower, which was completed in 2010 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 7, Item 5)
The archive photo shows the Joy Theatre, originally known as the Rex Theatre, which opened in the late 1910s. In the early 1940s, it was renamed the Joy Theatre. When it closed in the mid-1950s, the building became the Grads Club. For several decades afterward, it housed Stratenger’s. Today, the building is home to Dave’s Hot Chicken (City of Toronto Archives, Alexandra Studio fonds, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 464)
The archive photo shows the corner building when it was home to the Elm-Bay Restaurant and the New Asia House Hotel, while the neighbouring residence housed Off-Track Betting Services. In the upper left background of the old photo, the Elgin Motors Company’s Used Car Division can also be seen.
This corner building is historically significant as it served as the location for Christ’s Mission Hall and a Dental Institute run by Dr John Adams from 1897 to 1899, when the city closed the institute due to non-payment of taxes. Dr. Adams was a strong advocate for preventive dental health education, promoting dental checkups in public schools and providing free dental treatment for underprivileged children. In 1911, his recommendations were implemented, marking the start of dental checkups in Toronto schools.
The three-storey building, along with several of the adjacent houses, were constructed between 1888 and 1891 and are listed on the city’s heritage register (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 59, Item 28)
In the archival photograph, observe Tamblyn Drugs positioned on the right side, as well as Our Lady of Sorrows Church, which can be seen in the distance (City of Toronto Archives, Alexandra Studio fonds, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 7957)
The archive photo shows the Joy Theatre, originally called the Rex Theatre, which opened in the late 1910s. In the early 1940s, it was renamed the Joy Theatre. After its closure in the mid-1950s, the building was transformed into the Grads Club. For several decades following that, it housed Stratenger’s. Today, the building is home to Dave’s Hot Chicken (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 464)
Source
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- Heritage Toronto: Dr. John G.C. Adams (1839-1922) plaque
- Preliminary Cultural Heritage Evaluation Report: 466-468 Dovercourt Rd by ERA Architects Inc (The Matador Club)
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives & Toronto Public Library
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
