John C. Parkin designed his mansion, Parkin House, located in the Bridle Path neighborhood in Toronto.
John Parkin was an esteemed cattle farmer, meat merchant, hunter, and prominent member of his community. There are several family legends concerning his death – including possibly false claims that he died with PS400 tucked safely away in his pocket!
The home
John Parkin was an esteemed architect in Toronto, Canada. His designs included some of its most renowned buildings, such as Yorkdale Shopping Centre and the National Gallery of Canada. Additionally, he was the founder of what later merged into Smith Carter Searle Associates as one of Canada’s most prominent architectural firms. Further, John was widely sought out to speak on modern architecture topics, and his works have been featured in multiple books.
Parkin began his focus on large corporate and public buildings during the late 1930s, most notably designing a headquarters for Salvation Army – one of his most significant works to date – which received both praise and criticism due to its use of glass, yet ultimately won the competition and became a landmark for its city of origin.
His Methodist minister father raised Parkin and actively joined Glenelg Congregational Church, where he met and married Ellen Stonehouse – daughter of their pastor! Additionally, he served on the Glenelg Cemetery Trust board and as trustee for Parkin Estate; furthermore, he served on the local school board committee and founded the North Adelaide Rotary Club as chairman.
This house stands as an outstanding example of mid-century modern architecture in its neighborhood, boasting an eye-catching angular exterior that sets itself apart from others and an interior filled with light and color – complete with a modern kitchen, master suite, fireplace, and walk-in closet.
The house is situated on a corner lot and boasts a sprawling garden surrounding it – ideal for family living near schools and public transportation, not to mention being near many restaurants and coffee shops.
As well as its stunning exterior, this home offers ample living space and a large backyard featuring an outdoor kitchen and fireplace. Furthermore, its spacious kitchen comes equipped with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops, while its master suite includes an exquisite bathroom complete with a spa tub and separate shower stalls.
The interior
One-bedroom homes in Baltimore, Maryland, provide ideal living environments with excellent access to public transportation and feature wood flooring throughout, a recently updated kitchen, and a small courtyard space; pet friendly! 512 Parkin Street can be found within Baltimore City Public School’s 21230 zip code area.
The interior of this bright and modern house features an open living space and an eat-in kitchen, featuring large windows to let in plenty of natural light, spacious bedrooms with comfortable mattresses, including the master bedroom complete with a walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom – ideal for relaxation. Furthermore, recently renovated by its current owner, it’s ready for move-in!
John Cresswell Parkin was born on March 24, 1922, in Sheffield, England. After studying at the University of Manitoba – graduating in 1944 – he relocated to Toronto and started work for Marani & Morris before meeting architect John B. Parkin, who eventually formed their partnership in 1947.
At that time, they became Canada’s leading architectural firm, designing notable buildings such as the Yorkdale Shopping Centre and the National Gallery of Canada. One of their residential commissions included 30 High Point, which features modernist touches.
Parkin’s office worked on Toronto’s futuristic City Hall, 30 High Point features low, sheltering ceilings that seem to float above its inhabitants, creating a sense of space that doesn’t feel claustrophobic despite being such a large building.
The exterior
Parkin Place in Marshfield is an adaptive reuse of a vernacular 1940s commercial/industrial building from this period, designed initially to house dairy processing equipment and tavern services in its basement, along with office spaces and apartments upstairs. Constructed with brick and reinforced concrete exterior panels, the two wings were completed almost simultaneously; once met, the east wing was converted for apartment usage while renovation of its west wing took place as loading/vehicle storage.
The Parkin House is an outstanding example of modernist architecture famous in Canada during the 1950s. Designed by Canadian architect John Cresswell Parkin – known for pioneering mid-century modernism in Canada – this home inspired many architects to move away from classical design towards more international styles of architecture.
John Cresswell Parkin was a notable Toronto architect during the latter half of the twentieth century, his designs helping shape much of Toronto’s skyline by the 1980s. His firm specializes in designing hospitals, university buildings, offices, apartments, and sports complexes, as well as being involved in developing multiple international airports.
The John Cresswell Parkin fonds contain 347 architectural projects from 1945-1987 that span his professional career from 1945 through 1987, with John B. Parkin as his partner until he formed Parkin Architects Planners under his name. The funds include project files, research files, office records, and audiovisual materials relating to Parkin’s activities, as well as annual diaries that detail his daily life and interests.
In the 1950s, Parkin was part of an architectural firm that experienced rapid expansion during his time there; by 1969, when they merged with Smith Carter Searle Associates, they had become Canada’s leading architectural practice. He later went on to found Parkin Partners Architects Planners, which later took part in major projects, including Art Gallery of Ontario expansion, Don Mills shopping center expansion, and Yorkdale Mall expansion, among many others.
Parkin was known for working on many of the country’s most significant buildings, as well as creating private residences such as 30 High Point – an example of modernist style from its time. This home features striking exterior angles while its interior displays impressive low, sheltering ceilings – giving a feeling of travel through this space as you move through it.
