The Butler’s Pantry

Built during the Victorian era, this coach house once served the University Women’s Club of Toronto, when the club was still located at 162 St. George Street.

Listed under the alias “The Butler’s Pantry” on a short stay rental platform, its design is about functionality tailored to a bygone era of transportation.

The doors, taking up the nearly entire width and height of the building, allow easy access for horses and carriages. The “human” entrance is marked by a simple iron canopy.

The ground floor, which is mainly for storing horses, carriages and hay, has a single window on each side. The condition inside would have been quite muddy and dirty.

The gable window on the 2^nd floor lets in natural light for the servants living quarter. Cupolas to vent the stuffy air, might have been in place, instead of the modern skylights installed now.

In London (England), coach houses are known as “Mews Houses”. Toronto may lack the rows of elegantly restored mews / coach houses like Kynance Mews in London, but it makes up for that by having unique architectural juxtapositions such as this.

The world in its background has moved on. Horse-drawn carriages have become automobiles. Victorian townhouses have become skyscrapers.

It is precisely the contrast that makes this 900 sq. ft house, hidden in the back lane, on a 20 by 30 ft. lot so special.

100 Bp-Nichol Lane