terracotta house toronto demolished

Toronto's famous terracotta house is about to be demolished

Yes, the rumours are true. This old wonder that has brazenly stood at 20 Jerome Street near the Junction Triangle for 113 years is being demolished. 

This is very interesting move because the property itself is a heritage property and has been listed as such since 1979. Last year it went on sale for around $1 million. 

“The building is not structurally sound. If you sneeze too hard, it’s going to fall down,” said Councillor Gord Perks, in an interview with the Toronto Star.

New owners of the property apparently began construction last month and are now finally getting around to levelling the property.

A post shared by @12blair34 on

Although some neighbours have been very vocal about their concerns over levelling this Toronto marvel, any concerns they raise — they have this week to do so — will not impact the demolition of the house.  

The house,  built by west-end Toronto builder J. Turner Sr. in 1905, is covered in weathered terracotta tiles. Turner Sr. used terracotta tiles because, at one point, they were super cheap and plentiful in Ontario

Lead photo by

jmaxtours


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Real Estate

Here are the best places where you can still buy a house for under $1 million in the GTA

Canadian tenants share the wildest things landlords have told them

Toronto's next cluster of waterfront skyscrapers is moving closer to reality

Ontario landlord blasted for sketchy rental where tenants aren't allowed to use kitchen

Building at Toronto megaproject 'The Well' wins international design award

This $3M Toronto home has a circular stone fortress in the middle

Demolition begins for final blocks of Toronto's original Regent Park neighbourhood

Mississauga's iconic new condo towers named best in their class in the entire world