Governor's Bridge, Toronto: Difference between revisions
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It is a very small neighbourhood with only a couple of hundred homes. The area was originally purchased and subdivided in 1911 by two prominent Toronto lawyers: William Douglas and [[Wallace Nesbitt]]. Each has a street in the neighbourhood named after him. Construction had to wait until the construction of Governor's Bridge in 1923 connected the area to the rest of the city.<ref>[http://www.torontoneighbourhoodguide.com/regions/eastyork/64.html Governor's Bridge - Toronto Neighbourhood Guide]</ref> The bridge was named in honour of the [[Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario]] whose home [[Chorley Park]] was located just south of the bridge. The west part of the neighbourhood was quickly built up during the [[Roaring Twenties]] boom period, and most of the houses date from this era. Many of them are ornamented with Spanish-style accents. This style was also very popular in California at the time, and was thus often featured and glamourized in films of the period. In its early history the area was thus sometimes nicknamed "Little Hollywood." It has remained an elite enclave that in recent years has seen many of the smaller bungalows replaced by much larger new homes.<ref>[http://muddyyork.com/category/governors-bridge/ Picture Perfect Neighbourhood: Governor’s Bridge - August 5, 2009 - Morgan Dumas and Diti Dumas]</ref> |
It is a very small neighbourhood with only a couple of hundred homes. The area was originally purchased and subdivided in 1911 by two prominent Toronto lawyers: William Douglas and [[Wallace Nesbitt]]. Each has a street in the neighbourhood named after him. Construction had to wait until the construction of Governor's Bridge in 1923 connected the area to the rest of the city.<ref>[http://www.torontoneighbourhoodguide.com/regions/eastyork/64.html Governor's Bridge - Toronto Neighbourhood Guide]</ref> The bridge was named in honour of the [[Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario]] whose home [[Chorley Park]] was located just south of the bridge. The west part of the neighbourhood was quickly built up during the [[Roaring Twenties]] boom period, and most of the houses date from this era. Many of them are ornamented with Spanish-style accents. This style was also very popular in California at the time, and was thus often featured and glamourized in films of the period. In its early history the area was thus sometimes nicknamed "Little Hollywood." It has remained an elite enclave that in recent years has seen many of the smaller bungalows replaced by much larger new homes.<ref>[http://muddyyork.com/category/governors-bridge/ Picture Perfect Neighbourhood: Governor’s Bridge - August 5, 2009 - Morgan Dumas and Diti Dumas]</ref> |
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The eastern part of the neighbourhood, across the rail line, has a very different history. After the Second World War [[Bayview Avenue]] was extended south from Moore Avenue through the Don Valley. This opened the possibility of developing the land just east of Governor's Bridge, which could be reached along Bayview. In 1959 [[Harry Frimerman]], a Toronto land developer obtained permission from East York to construct a set of apartment buildings on the site. This caused immediate outrage from the residents of Governor's Bridge and beyond who had been promised the area would remain as park land. Within days the city reversed itself, but legally the development permit could not be revoked. The developers began construction of the Hampton Park Apartments. Unable to block the construction itself, the city refused to extend water and sewer service to the site. In 1960 the developers halted construction of the partially completed apartments. The half built apartments remained on the site for over twenty years. The prominent position atop the ravine and next to the [[Don Valley Parkway]] made them into a prominent landmark and they were nicknamed the [[Bayview Ghost]].<ref> |
The eastern part of the neighbourhood, across the rail line, has a very different history. After the Second World War [[Bayview Avenue]] was extended south from Moore Avenue through the Don Valley. This opened the possibility of developing the land just east of Governor's Bridge, which could be reached along Bayview. In 1959 [[Harry Frimerman]], a Toronto land developer obtained permission from East York to construct a set of apartment buildings on the site. This caused immediate outrage from the residents of Governor's Bridge and beyond who had been promised the area would remain as park land. Within days the city reversed itself, but legally the development permit could not be revoked. The developers began construction of the Hampton Park Apartments. Unable to block the construction itself, the city refused to extend water and sewer service to the site. In 1960 the developers halted construction of the partially completed apartments. The half built apartments remained on the site for over twenty years. The prominent position atop the ravine and next to the [[Don Valley Parkway]] made them into a prominent landmark and they were nicknamed the [[Bayview Ghost]].<ref>http://www.toronto.ca/archives/current_bayview_ghost.htm</ref> |
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East York rezoned the area for single family homes and the "Ghost" was finally demolished in 1981. A new bridge was built linking Governor's Bridge to the other side of the tracks, and in the late 1990s the Conservatory Group began work on a new subdivision named the Governor's Bridge Estates. The development consists of 60 homes in a [[neo-eclectic]] style. This development also ran into difficulties as people proved unwilling to buy homes overlooking an expressway at Rosedale prices.<ref>"Pricey subdivision half-vacant." Jonathan Spicer. ''Town Crier.'' January 10, 2005</ref> |
East York rezoned the area for single family homes and the "Ghost" was finally demolished in 1981. A new bridge was built linking Governor's Bridge to the other side of the tracks, and in the late 1990s the Conservatory Group began work on a new subdivision named the Governor's Bridge Estates. The development consists of 60 homes in a [[neo-eclectic]] style. This development also ran into difficulties as people proved unwilling to buy homes overlooking an expressway at Rosedale prices.<ref>"Pricey subdivision half-vacant." Jonathan Spicer. ''Town Crier.'' January 10, 2005</ref> |
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Revision as of 13:20, 8 March 2012
Governor's Bridge | |
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 Houses in the newer section of Governor's Bridge | |
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| City |  Toronto |
Governor's Bridge is a bridge and small neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada, located to the east of Rosedale and Moore Park, and like them is one of the most expensive in Toronto. Unlike them it was part of the former city of East York. It is located between the railway tracks and the Don Valley ravine. The neighbourhood is named for the Governor's Bridge that crosses the Moore Park Ravine and connects the area to Rosedale.
It is a very small neighbourhood with only a couple of hundred homes. The area was originally purchased and subdivided in 1911 by two prominent Toronto lawyers: William Douglas and Wallace Nesbitt. Each has a street in the neighbourhood named after him. Construction had to wait until the construction of Governor's Bridge in 1923 connected the area to the rest of the city.[1] The bridge was named in honour of the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario whose home Chorley Park was located just south of the bridge. The west part of the neighbourhood was quickly built up during the Roaring Twenties boom period, and most of the houses date from this era. Many of them are ornamented with Spanish-style accents. This style was also very popular in California at the time, and was thus often featured and glamourized in films of the period. In its early history the area was thus sometimes nicknamed "Little Hollywood." It has remained an elite enclave that in recent years has seen many of the smaller bungalows replaced by much larger new homes.[2]
The eastern part of the neighbourhood, across the rail line, has a very different history. After the Second World War Bayview Avenue was extended south from Moore Avenue through the Don Valley. This opened the possibility of developing the land just east of Governor's Bridge, which could be reached along Bayview. In 1959 Harry Frimerman, a Toronto land developer obtained permission from East York to construct a set of apartment buildings on the site. This caused immediate outrage from the residents of Governor's Bridge and beyond who had been promised the area would remain as park land. Within days the city reversed itself, but legally the development permit could not be revoked. The developers began construction of the Hampton Park Apartments. Unable to block the construction itself, the city refused to extend water and sewer service to the site. In 1960 the developers halted construction of the partially completed apartments. The half built apartments remained on the site for over twenty years. The prominent position atop the ravine and next to the Don Valley Parkway made them into a prominent landmark and they were nicknamed the Bayview Ghost.[3]
East York rezoned the area for single family homes and the "Ghost" was finally demolished in 1981. A new bridge was built linking Governor's Bridge to the other side of the tracks, and in the late 1990s the Conservatory Group began work on a new subdivision named the Governor's Bridge Estates. The development consists of 60 homes in a neo-eclectic style. This development also ran into difficulties as people proved unwilling to buy homes overlooking an expressway at Rosedale prices.[4]
References
- ^ Governor's Bridge - Toronto Neighbourhood Guide
- ^ Picture Perfect Neighbourhood: Governor’s Bridge - August 5, 2009 - Morgan Dumas and Diti Dumas
- ^ http://www.toronto.ca/archives/current_bayview_ghost.htm
- ^ "Pricey subdivision half-vacant." Jonathan Spicer. Town Crier. January 10, 2005
External links
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