King and Jameson/Kingsley Mansions

Robert H. writes:

Can you include 149 Jameson Ave, formerly Kingsley Mansions at King at Jameson, north east corner. The original building – a hotel with indoor pool was renovated in 1995 by the Ontario Government to include 50 affordable compact 1 bedroom suites. Original building is intact and 2 staircases also survived. In the basement where the indoor pool was located is now community spaces and offices. The building and suites are well maintained.

Built in 1912, Kingsley Mansions is an early example of a purpose built apartment building in Toronto.

Apartment living at the time was actually considered quite refined and glamourous and offered as a viable alternative to home ownership.

Apartments were spacious, well maintained with all of the latest appliances and often included servants quarters either adjacent to the kitchen or a communal residence in the basement or on the top floor.

This photo from from the 1930’s of Jameson looking north from King manages to exclude the building.

A current view.

This map from 1910 shows a wooden house on the corner (yellow).

Buy 1912, the apartment has taken it’s place.