The Fox and Fiddle Restaurant to be converted to seniors residence.
One of Toronto’s oldest buildings that was built in 1843 and deemed a heritage property is being proposed to be converted into a nine-storey seniors home.
The building at 4946 and another at 4941 Dundas Street W., and 4-16 Burnhamthorpe Road, were approved for redevelopment by the city’s Heritage Planning and Urban Planners and sent to City Council to consider.
The ancient building at 4946 Dundas Street W., which was most recently a Fox and Fiddle Restaurant, started off as Islington Methodist Church built in the mid-19th century, and later the first Etobicoke Township Hall.
The building was the first Etobicoke Township Hall after being built in 1843.
City Planners said the building is composed of three parts. In the front, a 1946 Georgian Revival addition facing Dundas Street West; a central segment comprising the original Methodist Church built in 1843 and to the rear is another addition built in 1946.
Planners approved the development of the nine-storey seniors home providing the older facade of the building was kept intact.
The complex in 1979 was designated a historical landmark as the first municipal hall for the Township of Etobicoke and ‘for its contextual value within the streetscape its architectural design value.’
The proposed seniors home would include 199 residence rental suites, 29 memory care suites, 90 assisted living suites, 80 independent living suites and retail stores.
The Islington Pioneer Cemetery is the burial place of many prominent area citizens.
The former Etobicoke Township Hall building will be incorporated into the development and used for restaurant purposes on the ground floor with a private dining and amenity space on the upper floor.
City staff said the land west the building containing the Islington Pioneer Cemetery was donated to the Methodist church by the Wilcox family in the 1840s and the cemetery contains the remains of the Village’s prominent early settlers who contributed to the development of Islington Village.
“The remnants of this Pre-Confederation building is one of oldest buildings in Toronto,” City staff said. “In 1888, the Township of Etobicoke purchased the site for use as the first township offices and the building saw the addition of a stone foundation, buttresses, and the bricking of the outside walls.”
The Senior Manager of Heritage Planning said the developers had to present a plan on how they will protect and enhance the history of the building.
“The proposed conservation strategy has been designed to conserve the cultural heritage values, attributes and character of the heritage property,” the manager said.
It is not known when City Council will consider the development.