Lewie Gonsalves is the best kind of dreamer, the kind who can afford to indulge a fantastical whim like commissioning three solid granite elephants and then have them shipped from southern India to his beautifully landscaped garden in Toronto’s Cabbagetown neighbourhood.
As an Indo-Canadian, Lewie has a spiritual attachment to elephants and what jolly icons they are, two standing sentry on either side of the front door and one in the side yard, trunk raised in greeting to the delight of onlookers.
Weighing in at 2,000 pounds each, the elephants cost more to ship and put in place than they did to commission. But Gonsalves isn’t complaining. His stone ornaments–selected to enhance the bleak winter patio–instantly became local landmarks when they were installed three years ago. One summer evening with the windows open, Lewie overheard a woman cautioning a fussy child: “If you don’t behave yourself we won’t go see the elephants”; the street grew quiet immediately.
When Gonsalves purchased 308 Carlton Street five years ago, the small yard was grassy and bland. His tasteful landscaping, replete with pachyderm whimsy, has enhanced this historic property immeasurebly. Constructed in 1887 by renowned Toronto builder and architect Benjamin Brick, this heritage home used to be known for its elaborate, filigreed ceilings. Now it’s referred to simply as the Elephant House.
Leave a Reply