Looking northeast towards the corner of Bay St and Richmond St W, in the Financial District of Toronto.
The archive photo shows the building when it was home to the Simpsons department store, originally called the Robert Simpson Company Limited. This western extension of the store was constructed between 1928 and 1929 and designed by architects Chapman & Oxley. Notice the window awnings in the vintage photo feature “Simpsons 100” celebrating the store’s centennial anniversary in Toronto.
In 1978, the Hudson’s Bay Company acquired the property, which extends to the corner of Queen St W and Yonge St. In 1991, this location transitioned from Simpsons to The Bay. On Sunday, June 1, 2025, The Bay closed its doors.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jun 6, 1991, pg B1
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
