Arlington Hotel – Once at King St W & John St

By
TorontoJourney416
-

The Arlington Hotel was once located at 326-328 King St W (at John St on the northwest corner) in the Entertainment District/Wellington Place neighbourhoods of Toronto.

Built in 1889, the airy hotel was designed by architect John A Radford. The Arlington accommodated 200 guests, and amenities included a dining room, an elegant bar, a reading room, offices and a smoking room. An ad for the hotel dated 1895 said, “it is removed from the noise of the heart of the city.” From 1919 until 1920, the building became a 160-bed hostel organized by the Knights of Columbus for those that fought in World War I. The Toronto City Directory has the hotel last recorded in 1932.

The site of the former hotel was later a parking lot and Farb’s Car Wash. Today, the block is home to TIFF Bell Lightbox and condo residences.

Arlington Hotel Photos

Circa 1907 – The postcard of the Arlington Hotel reads: “Conveniently situated at corner of King and John Sts. Only a 5 minute walk from depot. Cars pass the doors to all parts of the city.” (Toronto Public Library PC3678)
Circa 1907 – The postcard of the Arlington Hotel reads:

“Conveniently situated at corner of King and John Sts. Only a 5 minute walk from depot.
Cars pass the doors to all parts of the city.” (Toronto Public Library PC3678)
1907 – Looking northwest toward the Arlington Hotel, once located at King St W and John St in Toronto
1907 – Looking northwest toward the Arlington Hotel, once located at King St W and John St in Toronto (Toronto Public Library PCR-2144)
Circa 1890 – The Arlington Hotel was once located at the northwest corner of King St W and John St in the Wellington Place neighbourhood of Toronto
Circa 1890 – The Arlington Hotel was once located at the northwest corner of King St W and John St in the Wellington Place neighbourhood of Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1441, Item 21)
Circa 1912 – Postcard of the Arlington Hotel, once located at the northwest corner of King St W and John St in the Wellington Place neighbourhood
Circa 1912 – Postcard of the Arlington Hotel, once located at the northwest corner of King St W and John St in the Wellington Place neighbourhood (Toronto Public Library PC3681)
Circa 1919 – The Knights of Columbus was one of the many aid organizations that provided comforts to Canadian soldiers returning home at the end of the First World War. The building was also the Arlington Hotel
Circa 1919 – The Knights of Columbus was one of the many aid organizations that provided comforts to Canadian soldiers returning home at the end of the First World War. The building was also the Arlington Hotel (Toronto Public Library PC3679)
1891 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address and proprietor of the Arlington Hotel
1891 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and proprietor of the Arlington Hotel (Toronto Public Library)
1930 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Arlington Hotel
1930 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Arlington Hotel (Toronto Public Library)
1890 - Goads Map showing the location of the former Arlington Hotel
1890 – Goads Map showing the location of the former Arlington Hotel (Toronto Public Library)
January 26, 1961 - Farb's Car Wash later occupied the site of the former Arlington Hotel on the northwest corner of King St W and John St
January 26, 1961 – Farb’s Car Wash later occupied the site of the former Arlington Hotel on the northwest corner of King St W and John St (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 24)
2023 - Looking west along King St W from John St in the Wellington Place neighbourhood of Toronto. The building on the right is TIFF Bell Lightbox and condo residences. It was once the site of the Arlington Hotel
2023 – Looking west along King St W from John St in the Wellington Place neighbourhood of Toronto. The building on the right is TIFF Bell Lightbox and condo residences. It was once the site of the Arlington Hotel
SOURCE
  • The Toronto World Archives: Oct 2, 1889, pg 2
  • The Toronto World Archives: Aug 8, 1890, pg 2
  • The Globe Newspaper Archives: Jul 6, 1895, pg 12
  • The Globe Newspaper Archives: Feb 1, 1919, pg 9
  • The Globe Newspaper Archives: Mar 8, 1920, pg 10
  • Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
  • Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives & Toronto Public Library
  • Toronto City Directory by Might Directories Ltd 1891 & 1930 courtesy of Toronto Public Library
  • Vintage Map: Atlas of the City of Toronto 1890 by Chas E Goad courtesy of Toronto Public Library

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