1957 – Looking northwest towards the Edgewater Hotel, once at 14 Roncesvalles Ave, just north of The Queensway in the Sunnyside and Parkdale neighbourhoods of Toronto (Toronto Public Library R-5626)
The Edgewater Hotel was once located at 14 Roncesvalles Ave (just north of The Queensway, on the west side) in the Sunnyside and Parkdale neighbourhoods of Toronto.
In June 1939, construction began on Fred Hammer’s new hotel, the Edgewater. There was fierce opposition from residents, businesspeople and clergy not only to the hotel itself but also to its liquor license. There was even a “sit-in” protest planned at the hotel’s site. Despite that, within just a few months, the Edgewater Hotel was completed, and when it opened, it featured over 40 guestrooms, was fully licensed to serve alcohol and had nightly entertainment. The hotel was also next door to the former Sunnyside Bus Terminal (today home to McDonald’s) and in close proximity to the former Sunnyside Amusement Park and the Canadian National Exhibition grounds.
The Edgewater’s iconic neon sign was later added to the building’s southeast corner, and it remained perched there until its removal in 2009 due to deterioration.
In 1946, Mr Hammer sold the hotel, and over the years, the Edgewater has had various owners. It was also the place to enjoy cheap, ice-cold draft beer. In the mid-1990s, it was renamed the Royal Princess; however, by this time, unlawful activities were taking place in the hotel, and it closed. It later became a Days Inn, then Howard Johnson’s. Since 2020, it’s been home to Hotel Shelter in partnership with the City of Toronto.
Did you know that four different streets intersect at this corner? Roncesvalles Ave to the north, Queen St W to the east, King St W to the south and The Queensway to the west.
Edgewater Hotel Photos
1957 – Looking northwest towards the Edgewater Hotel, once at 14 Roncesvalles Ave, just north of The Queensway in the Sunnyside and Parkdale neighbourhoods of Toronto. The Edgewater had a neon sign that lit up the top of the building. Next to the hotel was the Sunnyside Bus Terminal, and inside was the B & G Coffee Shop Milk Bar. Today the former Edgewater is Hotel Shelter, and McDonald’s is located in the former bus terminal (Toronto Public Library R-5626)2022 – Looking towards the northwest corner of Roncesvalles Ave and The Queensway in the Sunnyside and Parkdale neighbourhoods. Howard Johnson’s Inn was originally the Edgewater Hotel, built in 19391939 – Looking northwest from Queen St W and King St W towards the construction of the Edgewater Hotel at 14 Roncesvalles Ave in Toronto (Parkdale Village Historical Society)June 11, 1941 – An aerial view of the northwest corner of The Queensway and Roncesvalles Ave. The Sunnyside Bus Terminal opened in the mid-1930s, and Grey Coach Bus Lines (owned by the TTC) operated out of the terminal. Next door was the Edgewater Hotel. It was built and opened in 1939 and operated by Fred Hammer. In the background is the TTC Roncesvalles Carhouse, a storage and maintenance facility for streetcars (Library and Archives Canada PA-054693)2023 – Looking northwest towards the corner of Roncesvalles Ave and The Queensway in TorontoCirca 1960 – Looking north towards the corner of Roncesvalles Ave and The Queensway in the Sunnyside and Parkdale neighbourhoods. Notice that Tedel Travel was once located in the former Sunnyside Bus Terminal building, which is today home to McDonald’s. Just behind it is the Edgewater Hotel which opened in 1939 (City of Toronto Archives, Series 648, File 220, Item ID 2)2021 – Looking north towards the corner of Roncesvalles Ave and The Queensway in Toronto. Today home to McDonald’s, the building was originally the Sunnyside Bus Terminal, while the Howard Johnson’s Inn (today’s Hotel Shelter) was the Edgewater Hotel1979 – Looking north up Roncesvalles Ave from the intersection of Queen St W, King St W and The Queensway. The Edgewater Hotel’s neon sign was perched on the building’s southeast corner for decades and was taken down in 2009 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 72, Item 90)2023 – Looking north up Roncesvalles Ave from the intersection of King St W, The Queensway, and Queen St W in the Sunnyside and Parkdale neighbourhoods of Toronto. Howard Johnson’s Inn on the left was once the Edgewater HotelCirca 1960 – Looking northeast towards the corner of Roncesvalles Ave, Queen St E and The Queensway in the Parkdale and Sunnyside neighbourhoods of Toronto. Notice the former Sunnyside Bus Terminal and the former Edgewater Hotel on the left (City of Toronto Archives, Series 648, File 220, Item ID 3)August 22, 1979 – Looking northeast from The Queensway towards the intersection of Roncesvalles Ave, Queen St W and King St W. On the left, notice the Edgewater Hotel, which was built in 1939 (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1526, File 72, Item 153)July 2009 – Looking southwest from Roncesvalles Ave towards The Queensway in Toronto. The Edgewater Hotel sign is still hanging on the building; however, by this time, the hotel had become a Days Inn. The old neon sign was taken down on November 3, 2009, due to deterioration (Google Maps)July 2009 – The former Edgewater Hotel’s neon sign hung on the building’s southeast corner until November 3, 2009. By this time, the hotel located at 14 Roncesvalles Ave had become a Days Inn (Google Maps)Circa 1920 – Looking towards the Sunnyside Restaurant, once at the northwest corner of Roncesvalles Ave and Queen St W (today The Queensway). The corner later became home to the former Sunnyside Bus Terminal and Edgewater Hotel (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 1673)2023 – Looking northwest towards the corner of Roncesvalles Ave and The Queensway in the Parkdale and Sunnyside neighbourhoods of Toronto1941 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address and phone number of the Hotel Edgewater (Toronto Public Library) 1993 – The Toronto Yellow Pages showing an ad for the Edgewater Hotel (Toronto Public Library) 1996/97 – The Toronto Yellow Pages showing the address and phone number of the Royal Princess Hotel, originally the Edgewater Hotel (Toronto Public Library)
SOURCE
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jun 17, 1939, pg 4
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jun 19, 1939, pg 4
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Jan 6, 1947, pg 4
