Looking northwest towards the corner of Carlton St and Church St in the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood of Toronto.
Both photos feature the Maple Leaf Gardens building. Construction began on June 1, 1931. Known as one of the “cathedrals of hockey,” the arena was designed by the architectural firm Ross & Macdonald, with associate architects Mackenzie Waters and Jack Ryrie. The building took just five months and 12 days to complete, 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 Maple Leaf Gardens took place on February 13, 1999, once again against the Blackhawks.
In 2004, Loblaw Companies purchased Maple Leaf Gardens, and renovations began in 2009. The roof, rafters, and exterior of the historic structure were preserved. Today, it houses a Loblaws grocery store and the Mattamy Athletic Centre of Toronto Metropolitan University, which features a 2,700-seat hockey rink on the upper level.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- Heritage Toronto
- Heritage Toronto: Maple Leaf Gardens plaque
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- Heritage Toronto
- 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
- Vintage Photo: Toronto Public Library
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
