Looking northeast towards the corner of Dupont St and Davenport Rd, in The Annex neighbourhood of Toronto.
The archive photo shows the Sign of the Steer restaurant, the year it opened at this location. Established in 1949 by Hans Fread, the restaurant originally occupied a storefront diagonally across the street. Its charbroiled steaks quickly gained popularity, leading to the need for a larger space. The main lobby of the 200-seat restaurant was accessed through an entrance on Davenport Rd. The Sign of the Steer closed in June 1960, reportedly due to liquor laws.
The building later housed another restaurant, followed by various home furnishing stores, and currently serves as the location of South Hill Home.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- Heritage Toronto
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Nov 17, 1955, pg 23
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jun 30, 1960, pg 5
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory, courtesy of Toronto Public Library
