Looking northwest along Carlton St from east of Church St in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood of Toronto.
The archive photo shows streetcar track-laying and construction of Maple Leaf Gardens.
Construction of The Gardens began on June 1, 1931. Known as one of the “cathedrals of hockey,” the arena was designed by the architectural firm Ross & Macdonald, along with associate architects Mackenzie Waters and Jack Ryrie. It took just five months and 12 days to complete the building, and on November 12, 1931, the Toronto Maple Leafs played their first hockey game in the arena, against the Chicago Blackhawks. During their time in the building, the Leafs won 11 of their 13 Stanley Cups. The Leafs’ final game at The Gardens took place on February 13, 1999, also against the Blackhawks.
In 2004, Loblaw Companies purchased Maple Leaf Gardens, and renovations began in 2009. The roof, rafters and exterior were preserved. This historic structure is home to Loblaws on the main level and Toronto Metropolitan University’s Mattamy Athletic Centre, which includes a 2,700-seat hockey rink on the upper level.
Another building to note, which appears in the upper-left corner of both photos, is what was originally the Somerset House Hotel, built in 1895.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 432 Church St
- Heritage Toronto: Maple Leaf Gardens plaque
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: May 30, 1931, pg 10
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Nov 13, 1931, pg 11
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Oct 1, 2004, page G2
- ERA Architects: Maple Leaf Gardens
- Welcome to Ryerson’s Mattamy Athletic Centre Brochure e0b4c3b836
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: City of Toronto Archives
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory, courtesy of Toronto Public Library
