This project involved the complete rebuilding of the front façade of a Victorian house in the Little Italy neighbourhood of Toronto. The work began with the removal of angel stone and deteriorated brick, revealing the original wood sheating structure beneath. During demolition, a stained-glass window was uncovered—likely hidden from view since the 1960s.
The approach
Reconstruction was completed using traditional masonry materials and techniques. Lime mortar joints were tooled with a slicker and brushed back with a stiff churn brush to achieve an appropriate historic finish. Indiana limestone lintels were installed over all openings. Indiana limestone sills were installed under the windows.
Intricate Details
A custom plywood form was fabricated to construct the elliptical arch above the second-story window. Once the form was installed, the voussoirs were carefully laid, followed by the installation of a plinth corbel. At the peak of the gable, a dog-tooth patterned panel was rebuilt to restore a defining architectural detail.
After the masonry work was completed, the scaffolding was removed to reveal the finished façade. Upcoming phases of the project include removing the existing porch wall and replacing it with stone, followed by the installation of a new porch roof by others.
This restoration was completed by Toronto Masonry Restoration, using historically appropriate methods to ensure long-term durability and architectural integrity.
Watch a short video on this project below: