Old Town in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
St. James Parking Garage
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
1. St. James Parking Garage Marker
The St. James Parking Garage, which opened in 1925, was one of the first multi-level parking garages in Toronto. In the mid-1920s, increased demand for parking led to the construction of several parking garages in Toronto’s downtown core. Montreal-based architectural firm Ross & Macdonald designed the St. James Parking Garage. The building reflects a popular architectural style of the time, a simplified Art Deco.
The first building on this side from 1816 to 1829 was the Home District Grammar School, also known as the Blue School. Later, the corner lot housed various factories that made products such as animal feed, flour, and laundry supplies.
In 1911 the Canada Pipe & Steel Company, owned by brothers William and Robert Cluff, took over the site. In 1925 William Cluff created the National Realty Company and raised investments to build the St. James Parking Garage that year. The five-storey, 500-vehicle parking garage was designed to be completely fireproof. The ground floor, facing Church and Lombard Streets, included several retail units. When alcohol prohibition was lifted in Ontario in 1927, the liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) opened its first store in the building.
By the 1980s, the building had housed auto companies such as the Toronto Motor Car Company, and was in need of repair. The parking garage
this page online
Erected 2020 by Heritage Toronto.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 43° 39.108′ N, 79° 22.488′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Old Town. Marker is on Lombard Street just east of Church Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the north facade of the former parking garage. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 55 Lombard Street, Toronto ON M5C 2R7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. York Mechanics' Institute (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Gourlay (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Adelaide Street Court House (about 120 meters away); Toronto's Eighth Post Office (about 150 meters away); Albert Jackson (about 150 meters away); The Cathedral Church of St. James (about 150 meters away); Consumers' Gas 150th Anniversary (about 180 meters away); Consumers' Gas Company Building (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
Canadian Engineer/Toronto Public Library
2. Marker detail: St. James Parking Garage, 1926
Architectural firm Ross & Macdonald is also known for designing both Maple Leaf Gardens and Union Station, among other Toronto landmarks.
Courtesy Globe and Mail
3. Marker detail: Opening Day Advertisement
A newspaper advertisement for the garage on opening day, November 25, 1925. At one time parking garages included repair shops, car washes, and detailing services.
City of Toronto Archives
4. Marker detail: Yonge Street Traffic, 1924
Yonge Street traffic, looking north from King Street, 1924. As automobiles grew in popularity, people would park cars wherever they could, leading to a demand for parking spaces. The growing presence of automobiles permanently altered the design of cities around the world.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 29, 2022
5. St. James Parking Garage Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 10, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 104 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 5. submitted on March 9, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
