The Legacy of 48 Abell Tales From A Gentrifying Neighbourhood by Michelle Van Eyk A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfi lment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Architecture Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, © Michelle Van Eyk Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. Th is is a true copy of the thesis, including any required fi nal revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. iii Abstract Constructed in 1886 by Mr. John Abell, the former engine and machine works factory at 48 Abell Street is located near Queen and Duff erin Streets in Toronto, Ontario. Th is 100,000 square foot heavy timber and red brick building has housed approximately 80 live/work studios since the 1980’s. Recently, rapid gentrifi cation and intensive development proposals in the West Queen West neighbourhood have threatened its existence as an authentic artistic incubator. In a series of chronicles, this thesis documents the history of John Abell and the neighbourhood surrounding his former factory from the late 19th century to present day. Woven into this narrative are the author’s own stories of living in a loft at 48 Abell Street, observing the transformation of the neighbourhood and responding to potential eviction from her home. When the community rallies to the building’s defense, 48 Abell becomes the central fi gure in a battle over land development with the City and real estate developers in which the key issue is the cultural value of heritage buildings and protection of live/work spaces. Research in the form of mapping and data collection shows the concentration of the arts in the area known as the Queen West Triangle has been a catalyst for gentrifi cation. Th e resulting displacement of arts production space and low-income residents due to escalating land values is an unintended and sobering reality challenging the current orthodoxy of ‘creative city’ movements in North America. v Acknowledgements Committee Supervisor: Rick Haldenby Advisors: Jeff Lederer Kathy Velikov External Reader: Adrian Blackwell I would like to thank my supervisor Rick Haldenby for his endless energy and enthusiasm. Gracious thanks to advisors Jeff Lederer and Kathy Velikov whose strengths were so helpful in shaping this work in very distinct and complimentary ways. I must also thank Adrian Blackwell for your time and for the stimulating defence discussion. Th ank you to Christina,Tanya, Allison, Allison, Sheila, Alana, Catia, Jonah, Mark, Libby, Sandrina, Zuzanna, Patricia, Julie and Grant. Your friendship is near and dear to my heart. My utmost gratitude is expressed to my parents Joyce and Len Van Eyk for their unconditional love and support. And to my siblings Julia, Angela, Stephen and Ian. Th e bond of a sibling is shared by no one else. To the current and former residents of 48 Abell Street. You are a beautiful breed of people and your generous cooperation has enriched this work endlessly. I owe each and every one of you my sincerest thanks. vi To my family. And to those who love all things old as much as I do and long to reveal their untold stories. vii Contents iii Author’s Declaration v Abstract vi Acknowledgements vii Dedication ix Table of Contents xii List of Illustrations ix Stories Chronicles There’s a dance fl oor? January 2005 Moved in. February 2005 One Th e Legacy of John Abell Where’s Parkdale? Summer 2003 Two Urban Land Progression Torso found in a laneway. December 2005 Three Ideology of the After When the hoarding went up. Summer 2005 Four A Changing Landscape Something wasn’t right. Winter 2006 Practice versus Advocacy. Spring 2006 Five Cashing in Culture St. Clare’s focus group. May 2006 x Six Community Activism How Model48 was formed. June 2006 Seven Th e Political Arena The Funeral. November 2006 Eight Th e Importance of Live/Work Confl ict of Interest. December 2006 Nine Th e Verdict Eviction Letters. August 2007 The Last Hurrah. October 2007 Ten Epilogue Worst Christmas ever. December 2007 Afterword Bibliography Appendix xi List of Illustrations Figure Description and Reference Page Figure Description and Reference Page A. Studio dance fl oor. A. Chairs and knick knacks. Photograph courtesy of Tanya Osmond. 2007 Photograph by author. May 2009 A. Studio from living room. A. Magazines left for perusal. Photograph courtesy of Tanya Osmond. 2007 Photograph by author. June 2009 A. Abell Street north laneway. A. Picture frames below ground fl oor stairwell. Photograph by author. June 2007 Photograph by author. September 2007 A. Abell Street south side of west wing. A. Aristocrat Lamps & Lighting. Photograph by author. June 2007 Photograph by author. May 2009 A. Abell main entrance. A. Th e crowd on the dance fl oor at PP. Photograph by author. June 2007 Photograph courtesy of Jason Raposo. February 2007 A. View toward car wash. A. Th e disco ball. Photograph by author. June 2007 Photograph courtesy of Jason Raposo. February 2007 A. Abell’s secondary entrance. A. Exotic dancing in picture window. Photograph by author. June 2007 Photograph courtesy of Jason Raposo. February 2007 A. Queen’s Car Wash sign. A. View toward the stairs. Photograph by author. June 2007 Photo courtesy of Jason Raposo. February 2007 A. Studio upon entering. A. Hissing pipes in the west wing corridor. Photograph by author. April 2005 Photograph by author. October 2007 A. Studio paintings and entrance. . John Abell. Photograph by author. April 2005 Graeme Mercer. Toronto, Old and New, Coles Canadiana Collection. Toronto: Coles, 1974. 186. A. Studio kitchen. . Vibrator Th reshing Machine. Photograph by author. April 2005 Woodbridge Agricultural Works. Illustrated Catalogue of Agricultural Impliments & Machines A. Studio dance fl oor. Manufactured by John Abell Woodbridge Agricultural Works, County York, Ontario, Canada, 1. Photograph by author. April 2005 CIHM/ICMH Microfi che Series ; no.2610. [Toronto?: s.n.], 1981. 12. A. Free lumber outisde Unit . . Law’s Patent Combined Shingle and Heading Machine. Photograph by author. January 2009 Ibid, 51. A. Balloons in west ground fl oor stairwell. . Horse-Power Th reshing Machine. Photograph by author. September 2007 Ibid, 10. A. Mannequin in third fl oor corridor. . Engine and Boiler Combined. Photograph by author. June 2009 Ibid, 49. xii Figure Description and Reference Page Figure Description and Reference Page . Cover of John Abell’s catalogue. . Shipment of threshers leaving Abell Street. Ibid, 3. http://www.rumely.com/History.htm Photo emailed to author February 22, 2009. John Abell’s published accolades. . American-Abell steam engine. Ibid, 6. Darren Wiberg. “The Spirit of the Machine: A 1903 American-Abell that Helped Break the . Diagram parts of the Sprague Mower. Canadian Prairie.” Steam Traction, July/ August, 2002. 1-3, Ibid, 28. http://steamtraction.farmcollector.com/Miscellaneous/The-Spirit-of-the-Machine.aspx (accessed October 22, 2008). Price List of Extras from the catalogue. Ibid, 29. Detail of American-Abell embossed trademark. Ibid. Th e John Abell Engine and Machine Works. Industries of Canada. Historical and Commercial Sketches, Toronto and Environs, its . American-Abell steam engine. Prominent Places and People, Representative Merchants and Manufacturers. Toronto: B.B. Brown. “Some History.” Steam Traction, September/ October 1951. 1, Bixby, 1886, 181. http://steamtraction.farmcollector.com/Farm-Shows/SOME-HISTORY.aspx . John Abell Engine and Machine Works plan. (accessed October 22, 2008). Adapted by author. Poster for the popular Cock O’ the North threshers. Base source: Charles E. Goad. Insurance Plan of the City of Toronto, Ontario. Toronto, 1884. http://www.rumely.com/History.htm Photo emailed to author February 22, 2009. Toronto Reference Library. . drawing of Toronto showing Abell’s works. American-Abell Engine and Th resher Company Ltd. Derek Hayes. Historical Atlas of Toronto. Vancouver: Vancouver : Douglas & McIntyre, http://www.rumely.com/History.htm Photo emailed to author February 22, 2009. 2008, 94. photo inside Abell Street west wing. ”CANADIAN RUMELY CO. LTD?, Factory, Abell St., January 1926.” Reproduced from the . Side view of the ‘Advance’ steam engine. H. S. Turner. “Canadian Notes: The American Abell Machinery.” Steam Traction, Septem- Toronto Public Library website (Digital Collections). http://www.tpl.toronto.on.ca ber/ October, 1951. 1-3, http://www.steamtraction.com/archive/2/ (accessed October (accessed May 21, 2009). 22, 2008). Parkdale train . . Front view of the ‘Advance’ steam engine. City of Toronto Archives. “Parkdale Train,” 1914? Fonds 1214, Item 1471. Ibid. Map of the Township of York. Derek Hayes. Historical Atlas of Toronto. Vancouver: Vancouver : Douglas & McIntyre, . ‘Toronto Advance’ grain separator. 2008, 61. Ibid. City of Toronto Annexation Map. . Th e Easton Constant Potential Dynamo. Laycock; Myrvold. Parkdale in Pictures, 1991. 34. “Easton System of Electrical Machinery,” The Globe, August 31, 1895, 3. Construction of streetcar tracks in ’s. . John Abell’s obituary. City of Toronto Archives. “Queen Street subway looking west” Fonds 200, Series 376, “The Late Mr. John Abell.” The Globe, August 10, 1903. 4. File 1, Item 32b. Line-up of John Abell agricultural machinery. . Parkdale apartment house on King Street West. “Line Up of American Abell Machinery (Steam Engines and Separators). Warehouse Yard, Photo by author (December 17, 2009) c.1910. [Winnipeg, Man.].” Western Development Museum / Library and Archives . Typical Victorian housing in Parkdale. Canada / PA-038628. http://data2.archives.ca/ap/a/a038628-v6.jpg Photo by author (December 17, 2009) (accessed July 4, 2009). xiii Figure Description and Reference Page Figure Description and Reference Page . ’s high-rise along Jameson Ave. . John Abell Engine and Machine Works in . Photo by author (December 17, 2009) Drawn by author. Railway construction in South Parkdale. Base source: Ibid. City of Toronto Archives, “South Parkdale.