Looking northwest along Victoria St from Queen St E towards the back of The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre, originally Loew’s Yonge Street and Winter Garden Theatre, in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto.
Notice the recently restored ghost sign on the upper wall, which reads “Loew’s Leads in Toronto – Show Starts Daily 9:30 AM.”
The impressive Edwardian-style double-decker theatres were built between 1912 and 1914 for American theatre magnate Marcus Loew and designed by architects Thomas W Lamb and Stanley Makepeace. This location served as the flagship for the Canadian theatre chain, originally featuring vaudeville acts and silent films.
These theatres are unique since they are the last of their architectural style in the world. The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre hold the distinction of being a National Historic Site of Canada.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
