Danforth Music Hall, originally Allen’s Danforth Theatre

2021 – Looking south towards The Danforth Music Hall at 147 Danforth Ave, east of Broadview Ave
2021 – Looking south towards The Danforth Music Hall at 147 Danforth Ave, east of Broadview Ave

Originally Allen’s Danforth Theatre, today’s The Danforth Music Hall, is located at 147 Danforth Ave (east of Broadview Ave on the south side) in the Riverdale neighbourhood of Toronto.

Built in 1919, architects Hymes, Feldman & Watson, and Charles Howard Crane designed the theatre in the Georgian Revival style for brothers Jule and Jay Allen. Advertised as “Canada’s First Super-Suburban Photoplay Palace,” the location was chosen as the neighbourhood was growing quickly since the completion of the Prince Edward Viaduct. The brothers were pioneers in the Canadian movie industry, building many theatres in the city.

In 1930, the theatre underwent alterations and reopened as the Century. In the 1970s, the venue started featuring live acts and was renamed The Music Hall and, in 2011, became known as The Danforth Music Hall.

The building received heritage status from the City of Toronto in 1985. The former Allen’s Danforth Theatre still features stylized “AT” symbols on its facade.

Other theatres in the city that were part of the Allen brothers’ chain include:

  • Allen, later the Tivoli, once at Richmond St E and Victoria St
  • Allen’s Beach once at Queen St E and Waverley Rd
  • Allen’s Beaver once at Dundas St W, east of Pacific Ave
  • Allen’s Bloor, today’s Lee’s Palace at Bloor St W, east of Bathurst St
  • Allen’s College once at Dovercourt Rd and College St
  • Allen’s Parkdale once at Queen St W and Triller Ave
  • Allen’s St Clair once at Dufferin St and St Clair Ave W

The Danforth Music Hall Photos

1919 - The opening year of Allen's Danforth Theatre once at 147 Danforth Ave, east of Broadview Ave on the south side. Today the former theatre is home to The Danforth Music Hall
1919 – The opening year of Allen’s Danforth Theatre once at 147 Danforth Ave, east of Broadview Ave on the south side. Today the former theatre is home to The Danforth Music Hall (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 712)
1921 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Allen's Danforth Theatre
1921 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the Allen’s Danforth Theatre (Toronto Public Library)
2021 – Looking southwest towards The Danforth Music Hall, originally Allen's Danforth Theatre, at 147 Danforth Ave
2021 – Looking southwest towards The Danforth Music Hall, originally Allen’s Danforth Theatre, at 147 Danforth Ave
1947 - Century Theatre, originally Allen's Danforth, once at 147 Danforth Ave. Today the building is home to The Danforth Music Hall
1947 – Century Theatre, originally Allen’s Danforth, once at 147 Danforth Ave. Today the building is home to The Danforth Music Hall (Archives of Ontario I0021770)
1947 - The interior of the Century Theatre, originally Allen's Danforth
1947 – The interior of the Century Theatre, originally Allen’s Danforth (Archives of Ontario I0021771)
1950 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Century Theatre
1950 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Century Theatre (Toronto Public Library)
2021 - The symbol of its first owners, the Allen brothers, stylized "AT" symbols can still be seen on the facade of The Danforth Music Hall
2021 – The symbol of its first owners, the Allen brothers, stylized “AT” symbols can still be seen on the facade of The Danforth Music Hall
2021 - Allen's Danforth Theatre plaque
2021 – Allen’s Danforth Theatre plaque
2021 – Looking south towards The Danforth Music Hall at 147 Danforth Ave, east of Broadview Ave
2021 – Looking south towards The Danforth Music Hall at 147 Danforth Ave, east of Broadview Ave
2021 – The Music Hall sign at The Danforth Music Hall
2021 – The Music Hall sign at The Danforth Music Hall
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