James Cooper House
Encyclopedia
James Cooper House is an historic house in Toronto
, Canada
that in 2008 underwent the largest residential structure relocation
in Canadian history. The house is located at the corner of Sherbourne Street and Linden, just south of Bloor Street
. It was built in 1881 for James Cooper, a wealthy importer, manufacturer, and retailer of shoes. It was one of many mansions in the Sherbourne and Jarvis area, that was once among Toronto's wealthiest areas. The eight bedroom house was opulently constructed in the Second Empire style.
After Cooper departed the building became home to the Keeley Institute for Nervous Diseases, an organization that helped those with alcohol and substance abuse problems. In 1910 it became home to the Toronto Knights of Columbus
, who would use the facility as a meeting and fundraising venue for almost a century. The Knights also built an assembly hall attached to the building.
The building and its large lot were purchased by the Tridel
development corporation in 2005, intending to erect a condominium tower on the site. The building would be preserved, but moved to another part of the lot, being moved about 60 feet. The assembly hall addition would be demolished. This process began in 2008 when the 800 ton house was lifted off its foundation and moved. Tridel's new 32 storey tower is named "James Cooper Mansion," and the old house will serve as an amenities centre for the new building.
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
that in 2008 underwent the largest residential structure relocation
Structure relocation
A structure relocation is the process of moving a structure from one location to another. There are two main ways for a structure to be moved: disassembling and then reassembling it at the required destination, or transporting it whole. For the latter, the building may be pushed on temporary rails...
in Canadian history. The house is located at the corner of Sherbourne Street and Linden, just south of Bloor Street
Bloor Street
Bloor Street is a major east–west residential and commercial thoroughfare in Toronto, in the Canadian province of Ontario. Bloor Street runs from the Prince Edward Viaduct westward into Mississauga, where it ends at Central Parkway. East of the viaduct, Danforth Avenue continues along the same...
. It was built in 1881 for James Cooper, a wealthy importer, manufacturer, and retailer of shoes. It was one of many mansions in the Sherbourne and Jarvis area, that was once among Toronto's wealthiest areas. The eight bedroom house was opulently constructed in the Second Empire style.
After Cooper departed the building became home to the Keeley Institute for Nervous Diseases, an organization that helped those with alcohol and substance abuse problems. In 1910 it became home to the Toronto Knights of Columbus
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
, who would use the facility as a meeting and fundraising venue for almost a century. The Knights also built an assembly hall attached to the building.
The building and its large lot were purchased by the Tridel
Tridel
Tridel is a major real estate developer based in Toronto, Canada. It is the largest builder of condominiums in the Toronto area. Since being founded in the 1930s it has built some 70,000 homes.-Growth:...
development corporation in 2005, intending to erect a condominium tower on the site. The building would be preserved, but moved to another part of the lot, being moved about 60 feet. The assembly hall addition would be demolished. This process began in 2008 when the 800 ton house was lifted off its foundation and moved. Tridel's new 32 storey tower is named "James Cooper Mansion," and the old house will serve as an amenities centre for the new building.