Municipal Heritage Designation (Part IV)

Front Street East 49

Toronto, Ontario

Also known as Dixon Building

Cast iron facade of 49 Front Street East, Toronto, 1999

Cast iron facade of 49 Front Street East, Toronto, 1999

Photo: Ministry of Culture, 1999

Built
1872
Recognized
1978
By
Local government

The register’s text, word for word

Description

This is the east end unit of an 1872, triple storefront, commercial block at Toronto's historic waterfront. In the Second Empire style, it features a cast iron facade. It is recognized for its heritage value by City of Toronto bylaw 430-78. It is also governed by an Ontario Heritage Foundation conservation easement.

Heritage value

The heritage value of this building is in its complete, 3-storey, cast iron facade, believed to be the only remaining example in Ontario and one of three known to survive in Canada. It is a prominent feature of the Front Street East streetscape and the waterfront area of the historic Town of York area. Considered to be erected in 1872 by former Toronto mayor William Henry Boulton(wife Harriet Dixon), brother-in-law to neighbouring owner Benjamin Homer Dixon, the design is attributed to Toronto architect Walter R. Strickland. The building is of mill construction with brick walls and possibly wood and stone windows. The facade was cast by W. Hamilton and Son, St. Lawrence Foundry, Front Street East. Source: City of Toronto bylaw 430-78 and Ontario Heritage Foundation conservation easement with additional background information

Character‑defining elements

The key elements important to the heritage value include:

  • the complete cast iron facade
  • being the end unit of a triple commercial block
  • slate clad mansard roof with mansard dormer
  • pairs of tall, round-arched windows alternating with pilasters

End of the register’s text

Location

49 Front Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M5E, Canada

43.64822° N, 79.37447° W

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From the Canadian Register of Historic Places, as last updated on December 12, 2025. The register’s text is shown word for word.