The Architects of our City

Frank Darling and John A. Pearson began working together in Toronto in 1889 when Pearson joined the staff of the well-established, nine-year old firm of Darling and Currie.  Within three years Pearson had become a full partner and in 1897 these two men embarked upon a remarkable successful career spanning more than a quarter of a century and the entire Dominion of Canada.  Darling and Pearson was one of the Canada's leading commercial architectural firms at the turn of the century.  Frank Darling, the senior partner of the firm, was considered one of the greatest architects of the British Empire.

Frank Darling LLD. R.C.A. was born in Scarborough, the son of a rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity on Feb. 17th, 1850 and trained with Henry Langley, the architect of Simcoe St. United Church, after his graduation from Upper Canada and Trinity Colleges.  He practiced for three years in London, England working in the offices of George Edmund Street and Arthur William Bloomfield before returning to Toronto.  After a year on his own, he formed a  partnership with Henry MacDougall until 1875 when Mr. MacDougall returned to Scotland.  In 1880, Darling formed a partnership with Samuel Currie, a Port Hope native and together designed the parish hall for St. Georges Church in 1888.  Darling and Currie designed the Bank of Montreal building which today houses the Hockey Hall of Fame at the Corner of Yonge and Front Streets in Toronto.  Frank Darling was architect to Trinity College and for 45 years was the architect for the Bank of Commerce and Bank of Montreal.  Several Anglican congregations in Toronto also used him exclusively.  He was awarded the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture in 1915, the first architect in the British Commonwealth to receive this honour.  He received a honourary Doctorate of Law from the University of Toronto in 1916.  Frank Darling died on May 18, 1923 and was buried in the family plot at the Norway Cemetery

John Andrew Pearson, F.R.A.I.C., F.R.I.B.A., A.R.C.A., D.A. was born in Chesterfield, England on June 22 1867 and educated at Wesley College, University of Sheffield.  His father and grandfather were builders, constructing Arundel Castle for the Duke of Norfolk.  After study in England and Europe he came to New York, then to Toronto in 1888 and joined the staff of Darling and Sproatt.  His first job at the age in 21 was working on the Childrens Hospital, which he supervised.  He was a member of the firm Darling, Curry, Sproatt and Pearson until 1908 when the firm Darling and Pearson was formed.  From 1892-95 he spent much of his time in St. John's, Newfoundland assisting in its rebuilding after a major fire.  Undoubtedly, a high point came in 1916 when Pearson was hired, along with J. Omer Marchand, to reconstruct the Parliament Buildings.  Was President of the Ontario Association of Architects and elected as a fellow to the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1925.  He was conferred a Honourary Doctorate of Architect by the University of Toronto in 1932 for his contribution to Canadian architecture.  Mr. Pearson was the first person in Canada to receive such a degree. He died on the 11th of June, 1940 at his home and was buried in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Convocation Hall
Toronto

Toronto landmarks attributed to the team of Darling and Pearson are numerous and include the CPR and Dominion Bank Buildings at the southeast and southwest corners, respectively, of Yonge and King Streets, the Mount Pleasant Mausoleum, the Toronto General Hospital on College Street, the University of Toronto's Convocation and Simcoe Halls, and the Canadian Bank of Commerce on King Street West.  When construction of this last building was complete it was the tallest building in the Commonwealth.  It is now called Commerce Court North.  The Bank Commerce building was described as expressing more than any other, the genius of John Pearson.  He was able to create a building that was as useful for what it was meant to do and as beautiful for what it was meant to express. 

Parkwood Estate
270 Simcoe St N, Oshawa
click photo for Parkwood slideshow

R. S. McLaughlin commissioned Frank Darling and John Pearson to co-ordinate the design of Parkwood including the main house, stable/garage, gatehouse, and greenhouses.  The main house design is a blend of Beaux Arts style incorporating Georgian Revival and Mediterranean elements.  It was designed as a self-contained residential complex and reflected both the wealth and social stature of Col. R. S. McLaughlin.  Site construction began in March 1916 and was finished in 1917.

Architects Darling and Pearson continued in their working association with the Parkwood Estate into the 1930s even after Frank Darling death in 1923.  They were responsible for the design of the Summer House, terrace balustrade and planters in 1927 and alterations and additions to the main house in the early 1930s.

Adelaide House
33 McGrigor St, Oshawa

In 1929 R.S.McLaughlin commissioned Darling and Pearson to design Adelaide House for his daughter Eileen and son-in-law, Eric Phillips.  In 1945, the McLaughlins dedicated Adelaide House "in affectionate tribute" to the Oshawa YWCA.

Together the Parkwood Estate and Adelaide House are two of the grand residential buildings designed by Darling and Pearson.