Looking west along Bloor St W, from Bathurst St, in the Mirvish Village neighbourhood of Toronto.
The archive photo features the former Alhambra Theatre on the right. Built in 1909, this structure was designed by architect James Thomson to accommodate shops, apartments, and a theatre originally called the King George Theatre. In 1920, the theatre was renamed the Alhambra, and it later became the Baronet in 1969, before finally being called the Eve Theatre in 1972. The building was demolished in the mid-1980s.
The old photo also shows the former discount shopping landmark, Honest Ed’s, on the left. It was opened in 1948 by Ed and Anne Mirvish. Throughout the years, Honest Ed’s expanded on the block and operated for 68 years before closing on December 31, 2016. Honest Ed’s was torn down and replaced by Mirvish Village Apartments, which began leasing units in the spring of 2025.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- Heritage Toronto
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
