Home owner

Many of the historic posts in this blog cover landmarks and buildings that were reinvented and preserved as part of Toronto’s evolving culture. However, this post tells the story of 80 King Street West, a building with historic and cultural significance that was demolished to make way for a new mega-structure: First Canadian Place.

Surveyors prepare over a dozen different types of plans, each tailored to a specific purpose. Knowing which kind of survey plan you need plays an important part in making sure your job is complete smoothly. Whether you are landscaping, renovating, building a fence, or simply checking your boundary lines, having the right tools the first time around will save you’re a lot money and headaches.

John George Howard was born in Hertfordshire, England, in 1803. There, he attended boarding school and pursued a career in carpentry before completing a 3-year architecture apprenticeship. With prospects in London being limited, John and his wife, Jemima Frances Meikle, decided to seek new opportunities and move to Canada in 1832.

His move paid off quickly as shortly after arriving in Toronto, John Howard quickly became one of the first professional architects in Upper Canada. His portfolio of architectural renderings caught the eye of Lieutenant Governor John Colborne, who appointed him as a geometrical drawing master at Upper Canada College. In this position, Howard significantly contributed to Toronto's public and private infrastructure during his 23-year tenure.

If you missed our previous blog post on the fundamental roles of the Land Registry Office (LRO), we encourage you to review it.

The Difference Between the Registry System and the Land Titles System

Ontario has two distinct systems for registering property documents: the Registry System and the Land Titles System. These systems are governed by two different pieces of legislation: the Registry Act and the Land Titles Act. Your property records will be stored under one of these systems, and understanding the distinction is crucial for every property owner.

For nearly two centuries, the land north of Union Station has been synonymous with luxurious hospitality. In the mid-1850s, four townhouses were combined to create a hotel, which originally opened its doors as the Swords Hotel. In 1860, it was renamed The Revere, and in 1862, it underwent yet another name change, becoming The Queens Hotel.

As a homeowner, it is important that you understand the Land Registry Office (LRO) and how it works to safeguard your property and the rights to your land.

What is the Land Registry Office (LRO)?

The Land Registry Office is the official record keeper of all private property ownership in the province of Ontario. With 55 offices across Ontario, they are managed by the provincial government and play a critical role in protecting property ownership. When you purchase property, registering it with the LRO is not just a formality—it's a necessity.

What is a setback?

Setbacks determine how close to a property line a structure can be built. This applies to houses, sheds, workshops, and any other structures built on your property. The setback on your land survey will show the measurement from the structures on your property to the nearest corners.

The great fire of Toronto on April 19, 1904, reportedly began at the E. & S. Currie neckwear factory located at 58-60 Wellington St. W. (currently the location of the TD Bank Tower at 66 Wellington W), and rapidly escalated into a city-wide disaster. The fire was first noticed at 8:04 p.m. when flames were seen at the factory. Despite the efforts of the fire chief and crews, the fire quickly spiraled out of control due to a combination of high winds and inadequate water pressure.

A lien is a powerful legal instrument that grants creditors a claim or right over a property if a debt remains unpaid. Homeowners need to be aware of the different types of liens and their implications. In this blog post, we'll go over the various types of liens, their impact on property ownership, and common questions surrounding them.

In the City of Toronto, every street and lane tell a story of their own and historic surveys stand as a silent witness to the city’s evolution. Surveys offer a unique look into the past, revealing a snapshot of the landscape at a specific point in time. In this article, we will look at laneways and historic surveys to highlight Toronto’s rich history and resilience in infrastructure.