Editorials

2011-08-29 09:44:26

Mimico Estates – The Model Town: “Myrtle Villa”

Do you remember who purchased the Ormsby?

James Franceschini purchased the original Ormsby estate in 1925. He owned the Dufferin Construction Company, whose sister companies later built roads for the provincial government, pre-World War II.

In addition to acquiring the old Ormsby estate he also acquired Lots 13 and 14 and renamed the estate “Myrtle Villa.” Various additions were subsequently made to the original structure.  Family members occupied these new structures – brother Leonard and sister-in-law, the gardener, a teamster and wives.  The addresses then were comprised of a detached house at 2541-2541A Lake Shore Boulevard West. 

The present-day structures that remain include the detached house (2541-2541A Lake Shore Boulevard West) and semi-detached houses (2533-2535 Lake Shore Boulevard West), a residential space above the garage (2539A&B Lake Shore Boulevard West) and row housing on Douglas Boulevard which was once used as accommodations for staff.

Franceschini eventually transformed his estate to the Dufferin Construction Company headquarters.  The lands were also used for horse training and accommodations.  These horses were shown at various farms around the city as well as at the Royal Winter Fair under the name Dufferin Stock Farms.

Finally, in 1959, Dufferin Construction Company sold the estate to Amedeo and Lawrence Longo, who would soon after develop Garden Construction Apartments.  The main house was left and linked to 2525 Lake Shore Boulevard West, which was once the detached house and garage, staff housing on Douglas Boulevard and semi-detached houses used as staff accommodations. As of today, the Longo family retains the Lake Shore Boulevard and Douglas Boulevard properties.

Congratulations to the families who preserved the legacies of these fine properties so deserving of their heritage designations.

Resourceful and committed to your needs; REAL ESTATE by DESIGN™. Please contact Susan Quaglieri, Sales Representative, Royal LePage West Realty Group, 416-245-9933 or direct at 416-524-0401.