Daly House – Once at Lower Simcoe St & Front St W

The Daly House was once located at 27 Simcoe St (at Front St W on the southeast corner) in downtown Toronto.

The Toronto City Directory first listed the Daly House in the 1895 publication. The 5-storey hotel was owned by JJ Daly, accommodated 100 guests and was conveniently located a few doors west of Toronto’s previous Union Station. While over the years, the Daly House had a few different owners, in 1910, the property was purchased for $50,000. The hotel’s address was later updated to 127 Front St W.

In 1930, the TTC bought the leasehold on the hotel and neighbouring property, and initially, there were plans for a Yonge St streetcar loop on the site. The historic hotel was torn down, and within a few years, the heritage-designated Canadian National Express Building occupied the corner.

Daly House Photos  

Circa 1928 – Looking southeast towards the Daly House, once located at 27 Simcoe St and Front St W in downtown Toronto
Circa 1928 – Looking southeast towards the Daly House, once located at 27 Simcoe St and Front St W in downtown Toronto (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1244, Item 1171)
2023 – The southeast corner of Lower Simcoe St and Front St W in downtown Toronto is home to the heritage-designated Canadian National Express Building. The corner was once the site of the Daly Hotel
2023 – The southeast corner of Lower Simcoe St and Front St W in downtown Toronto is home to the heritage-designated Canadian National Express Building. The corner was once the site of the Daly Hotel
\Circa 1895 – Looking east along Front St W from just west of Simcoe St. Notice Grand Union Hotel on the left, the Daly House on the right, and the old Union Station (with the tower) in the background
Circa 1895 – Looking east along Front St W from just west of Simcoe St. Notice Grand Union Hotel on the left, the Daly House on the right, and the old Union Station (with the tower) in the background (Toronto Public Library E9-91)
1928 – Looking east from Simcoe St towards traffic along Front St W. Notice Hotel Carls-Rite on the left, old Union Station (the large building) in the background and Hotel Daly on the right
1928 – Looking east from Simcoe St towards traffic along Front St W. Notice Hotel Carls-Rite on the left, old Union Station (the large building) in the background and Hotel Daly on the right (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 16, Series 71, Item 5701)
2023 – The Daly House was once located at the southeast corner of Lower Simcoe St and Front St W in downtown Toronto. Today, the corner is home to the Canadian National Express Building
2023 – The Daly House was once located at the southeast corner of Lower Simcoe St and Front St W in downtown Toronto. Today, the corner is home to the Canadian National Express Building
March 3, 1928 – Looking south from Simcoe St towards Front St W. The building in the centre background was the Daly House. Notice Hotel Carls-Rite in the foreground, on the left
March 3, 1928 – Looking south from Simcoe St towards Front St W. The building in the centre background was the Daly House. Notice Hotel Carls-Rite in the foreground, on the left (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 16, Series 71, Item 5693)
1895 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address and proprietor JJ Daly of the Daly House
1895 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and proprietor JJ Daly of the Daly House (Toronto Public Library)
1907 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address and proprietor ER Hurst of the Daly House
1907 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and proprietor ER Hurst of the Daly House (Toronto Public Library)
1930 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Daly House
1930 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Daly House (Toronto Public Library)
1912 - Goads Map showing the location of the Daly House Hotel
1912 – Goads Map showing the location of the Daly House Hotel (Toronto Public Library)
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