Contributed by Kathy Flaxman
The architecture in Cabbagetown is unparalleled. On street after street homes built in the Victorian era stand in manifestations from majestic mansions to exquisite workers’ cottages, lovingly preserved and cherished. At the same time, newer homes, sometimes constructed to tie in with their historic neighbours, make this area special.
On the 20th of September this year, the Cabbagetown Tour of Homes will offer those who love design and beauty a chance to step inside some of the area’s finest dwellings. Held between noon and 4 pm, the Tour was originally an offshoot of the Cabbagetown Festival. (For more information on the Tour and how to obtain tickets, please go to www.cabbagetowntourofhomes.ca)
According to David Pretlove who along with Gilles Huot co-chairs the Cabbagetown Preservation Association, which organizes the event, this year’s tour will feature seven homes, carefully selected for a balance of types and styles as well as location in the area. “Special features such as modern and Canadian art as well as chandeliers are noteworthy too,” David says. At least one of the homes, an imposing Sackville Street residence, is featured in the book Toronto Architecture, where author Patricia McHugh says “There is not another house like it in the city.” It was also featured in the January 2015 issue of House & Home.
The Tour would not be possible without the cohort of amazing volunteers, from CPA members and CTOH committee members who select the homes, to the men and women, close to 100 in number, who staff the homes during the tour. “There are house captains and others who work hard prior to and during the day of the Tour,” David notes.
Joe Rozman of Weenen General Contracting Limited, the company that is again sponsoring the party for volunteers after the event, notes that the company is glad to be part of the Cabbagetown festivities. “Cabbagetown has a lot to celebrate including its passionate residents and its glorious architecture.”
