The Sanctuary

Nestled amongst the Victorian row houses in Cabbagetown, this Tudor revival housing compound stands out with its disproportionately large courtyard for the neighborhood.

As the first government sponsored housing built in Canada, and one of the first “Garden City” style houses in North America, this slightly “run down” compound is historically significant.

Designed by Eden Smith, this is an unusual departure from his usual stockbroker mansions.  The reason for the commission might have been related to historical events in the early 1900’s.

With the 2^nd Boer War just ending in 1902 killing many in Cabbagetown, and Great fire of Toronto in 1904, destroying businesses, wiping out many jobs in Downtown, life was not exactly easy.

To rebuild communities, the government and businesses got together, trying to find a way for housing that strikes a balance between affordability and quality of living. A possible answer was based on the “Garden City Model” founded by Ebenezer Howard in England.

In the end, Dr. Hastings from Toronto Housing Company, asked Eden Smith to put that idea into practice. With the help of local realtor George Beer, this became Canada’s first government sponsored housing.

The editor of Architectural Digest once said, the definition of a home is a sanctuary, where people talk, laugh and reconnect.

Spruce Court Apartments, with its lusciously planted courtyard, Tudor style architecture, picnic tables, children’s toys, is a tranquil sanctuary for people to relax and live.

74 Spruce Street, Toronto