The Little House, Toronto’s Pint-Sized Building

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In a country where the average home size is among the largest in the world, the existence of ridiculously small houses seems almost delusional. Nevertheless, an itsy-bitsy edifice in Toronto’s York District defies that very assumption. Featuring a claustrophobia-inducing space, the Little House definitely lives up to its name, considered as the smallest residential building across the city.

By: Omri Westmark

Date: 19:31 08.12.23

Last Update: 02:33 17.12.23

Architecture Quirky Buildings Urban Toronto Ontario Canada North America & The Caribbean

Passersby who amble along Day Avenue in Toronto’s Earlscourt neighborhood will find it nearly impossible to ignore a single house, whose extreme dimensions earned it a great deal of fame among locals. As its name suggests, the Little House is ummm, little, so much so in fact, that according to some sources, it is Toronto’s tiniest house.

If you wonder about the origins of this oddity, it all boils down to planning statutes or lack thereof. Initially, the narrow gap between the two buildings was supposed to serve as a driveway, providing access for both of which. In practice, though, the lane was never paved, and left untouched. That is, until an English-born gentleman by the name of Arthur Weeden opted to seize the opportunity to purchase the miniscule land parcel.

Soon thereafter, in 1912, he constructed a house that was neatly sandwiched between its pair of larger counterparts. The tiny home was only one of several projects Weeden undertook during his prime, becoming one of the most prominent developers in this area of Toronto. After his compact brainchild was completed, Weeden and his wife moved in and lived there for two decades or so. Following her death, Weeden stayed in the house for six additional years, before being replaced by a Brazilian family with two children.

With a total size of 29 square meters (312 square feet), the Little House has barely enough space within its confines for one living room, a kitchen, one bathroom and a small bedroom equipped with fold-down bed. In addition, it also features a basement as well as backyard where tenants can have a much-needed respite from being cooped up indoors.