Capitol Theatre, originally the York and also known as York Eglinton Theatre, was once located at 2492 Yonge St (at Castlefield Ave on the northwest corner) in the Lawrence Park South neighbourhood of Toronto.
The building that was home to York Theatre was completed in 1914, and the theatre opened the following year. According to the Toronto Directory, it remained in operation until the early 1920s. Soon after, keeping the original rear auditorium, the Late Classical Revival-style building was constructed. The theatre was renamed the Capitol, and it was in operation until 1998. It later underwent a multi-million dollar renovation and became an event venue called The Met.
The building block, from 2490 to 2510 Yonge St, received heritage status from the City of Toronto in 2016.
The site once occupied by the Capitol Theatre is being redeveloped as The Capitol Residences. The theatre’s original art deco marquee and historic façade are being incorporated into the modern building.
Capitol Theatre Photos
November 29, 1933 – Capitol Theatre was once located at 2492 Yonge St and Castlefield Ave on the northwest corner (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1485 – James Victor Salmon photographer)2021 – Capitol Theatre was once located at 2492 Yonge St and Castlefield Ave1921 – The theatre entrance at 2492 Yonge St. On the marquee, “Cappy Ricks,” starring Thomas Meighen and Charles S Abbe, was playing. The rear of the building is the theatre’s auditorium, while the building on the right is Dominion grocery store (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 724)1926 – Looking northwest towards the Capitol Theatre, once located at Yonge St and Castlefield Ave (Archives of Ontario RG 2-71)1981 – Fine Arts Capitol Theatre was once located at Yonge St and Castlefield Ave on the northwest corner. On the marquee, “Lili Marleen,” by director Rainer Werner Fassbinder, starring Thomas Meighen and Charles S Abbe, was playing (Toronto Public Library LOCHIST-ND-096) 2020 – The Met, in the former Capitol Theatre, at 2492 Yonge St2019 – The Met sign 2020 – Ticket boothJune 23, 2024 – The site once occupied by the Capitol Theatre at the northwest corner of Yonge St and Castlefield Ave is being redeveloped as The Capitol Residences. The theatre’s original Art Deco marquee and historic façade are being incorporated into the modern building2021 – Artist rendering of The Capitol at Yonge St and Castlefield Ave (The Capitol Residences)1932 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Capitol Theatre (Toronto Public Library) 1920 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the York Theatre, later the Capitol Theatre (Toronto Public Library) 1915 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the York Theatre, later the Capitol Theatre. Note the street number for the theatre was initially 2282 Yonge St (Toronto Public Library)
