Wellington Place in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Southam Press Building

1909

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 4, 2026

1. Southam Press Building Marker

Inscription.
This building was commissioned in 1908 by the Mail Job Printing Co., a company that printed a range of material from railway timetables to movie posters, and even fake snow for theatrical shows. Designed by Sproatt & Rolph, the five-storey building took just 99 days to complete. Its red-brick exterior, with stone, wood, and terracotta details, disguised a fireproof concrete interior structure. The building has Edwardian Classical architectural features, and decorations at the entrance hint at Greek or Roman influences. By 1909, the building housed a renamed Southam Press Ltd. and other businesses. During the First World War, the company enlarged the complex to the east. Southam sold the property to Canadian General Electric in 1966.

Designated in 2016 under the Ontario Heritage Act

Erected 2023 by Heritage Toronto.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Toronto Heritage series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 43° 38.876′ N, 79° 23.306′ W. Marker is in Toronto,

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Ontario. It is in Wellington Place. It is at the intersection of Duncan Street and Adelaide Street, on the left when traveling south on Duncan Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 17 Duncan Street, Toronto ON M5V 3C6, 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,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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: Upper Canada College Boarding House (within shouting distance of this marker); Royal Alexandra Theatre / Théâtre Royal Alexandra (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Royal Alexandra Theatre (about 120 meters away); Royal Alexandra Theatre - 1907 (about 120 meters away); York Hospital Site (about 150 meters away); Canadian General Electric Company Building

Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, August 4, 2026

2. Southam Press Building Marker

(about 180 meters away); Upper Canada College Centenary (about 180 meters away); St. Andrew's Church (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Also see . . . Southam Press Building. Excerpt:

One of the earliest warehouses in the area, the Southam Press Building is architecturally significant as a well-designed example of the early tall commercial building type, displaying the typical Classical organization and application of Classical and Gothic-inspired detailing. Anchoring the southeast corner of Adelaide Street West and Duncan Street, the building contributes contextually to the character of the King-Spadina neighbourhood as it developed as an industrial area in the early 20th century.

(Submitted on August 9, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 10 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 9, 2026, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.