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Downtown Yonge East in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
 

Cooper and Gillespie Houses

 
 
Cooper and Gillespie Houses Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026
1. Cooper and Gillespie Houses Marker
Inscription. This neighbourhood was developed in the mid-19th century as a district of mansions and upscale residential buildings, including the two townhouses that stood at the northeast corner of Shuter and Dalhousie Streets.

The Edward Cooper Houses were built by architect John Tully in 1850 in the Georgian Revival style. The three-and-a-half-storey homes featured low-pitched gable roofs with extended eaves and wooden brackets. The homes were owned by the family of merchant Edward Cooper for nearly 70 years and were among the oldest surviving buildings in the neighbourhood.

In 1851, Malcolm Gillespie, built the adjoining houses to the west. Following his death in 1892, his widow significantly modified the faηades of these homes by adding Romanesque Revival detailing. The three-storey dwellings were used as boarding houses throughout most of the 20th century. The Malcolm Gillespie Houses were extensively altered once again in the 1970s to, accommodate commercial uses.

In 2014; both buildings were dismantled: However, the heritage faηades of the Edward Cooper Houses were later integrated into a new development.
 
Erected 2016 by Heritage Toronto.
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Architecture.
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In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1850.
 
Location. 43° 39.306′ N, 79° 22.539′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Downtown Yonge East. It is at the intersection of Shuter Street and Dalhousie Street, on the right when traveling west on Shuter Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 68 Shuter Street, Toronto ON M5B 1Z2, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto and on the Golden Horseshoe. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Athenaeum Club (1891) (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); St. Michael’s Cathedral Rectory (about 120 meters away); Early Greek Orthodox Community (about 120 meters away); St. Michael’s Cathedral (about 150 meters away); William Lyon Mackenzie (about 210 meters away); Metropolitan United Church (about 210 meters away); O’Donohoe Row (Walnut Hall) (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.
 
Cooper and Gillespie Houses Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026
2. Cooper and Gillespie Houses Marker
Cooper and Gillespie Houses marker photo and caption detail (left) image. Click for full size.
3. Cooper and Gillespie Houses marker photo and caption detail (left)
Cooper and Gillespie Houses marker photos and captions detail (right) image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 2, 2036
4. Cooper and Gillespie Houses marker photos and captions detail (right)
Cooper and Gillespie Houses in 2026 image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2026
5. Cooper and Gillespie Houses in 2026
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 11, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
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Jul. 3, 2026