The archive photo shows the building when it was the Parkdale Theatre, located at 1605 Queen St W. The marquee featured the films “Humoresque,” starring Joan Crawford, John Garfield, and Oscar Levant, and “A Chump at Oxford,” starring Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel, which were released in 1946 and 1940, respectively. Notice the theatre’s sign included a clock.
Jule and Jay Allen opened the theatre in 1920, which had 1,500 seats, crystal chandeliers, and a decorative plaster ceiling. After the Parkdale Theatre closed in 1970, the building served as commercial space for various businesses, including the Eaton’s Bargain Centre Clearance store, a Brewers Retail outlet, and a bookstore, among others.
In 2020, the building was added to the city’s heritage register, and that same year, it was transformed into The Parkdale Hall, a multi-use event space. The building’s interior features the restored ornate ceiling (City of Toronto Archives, Ken Webster fonds, Fonds 251, Series 1278, File 130)
A few of the businesses in the archive photo, from left to right, include the Imperial Hotel, Biggar Lock & Key, Old Stone Mill (clothing), Raffles Restaurant, the Windeler Electric Co. and Shaw Laboratories (dental products), located in the building that features the Reliance Engravers ghost sign. In the background on the right, the steeple of the First Lutheran Church is also visible.
A portion of this Dundas St E block, from Bond St to Victoria Lane, is being demolished to make way for a 21-storey TMU student residence. It is important to note that the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, located at 116 Bond St and completed in 1898, is listed on the city’s heritage register and is NOT part of the redevelopment (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 13, Item 31)
The 2023 photo shows the restaurants and shops that once occupied the historic Bay-and-Gable homes at 191-199 College St. These buildings, which date back to 1887, will be part of a mixed-use tower being constructed at the site
The archive photo, taken from inside Coles Bookstore, once located in the Robert Barron Building, looks out towards Cinecity Cinema with Vincent & Tony beauty salon in the background on the right. The theatre opened in 1967 and was Toronto’s first-run “art house” outlet for underground, experimental and avant-garde Canadian, American, and foreign films.
In contrast, the present-day photo, taken from the same location, which is home to a Shoppers Drug Mart (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 2, Item 14)
The archive photo shows when the corner was home to The Royal Bank OF Canada (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 63, Item 12)
The archive photo features, from right to left, several significant buildings. First is what was originally the Canadian Bank of Commerce, which is marked by its two fluted columns. This building at 197 Yonge St, was constructed in 1905 and designed by architects Darling & Pearson. It closed as a bank branch in 1983 and remained vacant for many years before reopening in 2020 as the entrance hall to Massey Tower.
Next in the vintage photo is the Colonial Tavern, which opened in 1947. A few legendary musicians who performed there include Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Rush. The Colonial Tavern closed in 1987, and the building was demolished.
The next building is the Bank of Toronto, notable for its four fluted columns and hemispherical dome. This structure was built circa 1906 and designed by architect E.J. Lennox. The Toronto Dominion Bank closed this location in 1989, and after renovations, the building served as the offices of what was then known as the Toronto Historical Board from 1992 through 2001. Today the landmark building at 205 Yonge St is home to an asset management company.
Lastly, the six-storey brown-brick structure was built in 1920 for Adams Furniture and designed by William Steel & Sons Co. The building currently houses commercial and office space (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 1465, File 467, Item 1 – Urban Design photographs)
There is a span of 68 years between the two photos. In the archive photo, the building on the corner, which dates back to 1915, housed various businesses, including a paint manufacturer, an office supply company and manufacturing agents. Next to it is the Patrician Grill, which opened in the early 1950s. Notice that its neon sign, which was taken down in June 2026, once included the word “Sodas.” Beside the restaurant is Kirke’s television and appliance shop. The old photo also shows a construction sign that reads “Single Lane Only” and a box for the former Telegram newspaper.
Today, the corner building is part of George Brown College’s St. James Campus and operates as The Chefs’ House, a student-run fine dining restaurant and event space. The Patrician Grill, purchased by Louie and Helen Papas in 1967, was later operated by their son, Terry, and his brother-in-law, Chris Slifkas. This family-run diner, known for its traditional diner fare served in cozy booths or at a long counter overlooking the kitchen, closed its doors for the last time on May 9, 2026, at 2 PM (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 220, Series 65, File 16, Item 5 – Alexandra Studio photographs)
The archive photo shows a man walking by the side of the Rialto Theatre, which features posters for The Eye of God, a silent mystery film released in 1916, starring Tyrone Power Sr. and Lois Weber. The building that once housed the theatre was constructed in 1886 and is known as the John E. Thompson Block. Initially, it housed a clothing shop, and by the late 1890s, it became home to the Yonge Street Mission until 1904. Later, it served as another clothing store before transforming into the Hippodrome and Casino twin theatres in 1907. It operated as the Rialto Theatre from 1916 to 1919. After the theatre closed, the building reverted to retail and commercial space, undergoing alterations for various tenants over the years. This heritage-designated building has been home to Catto’s Dry Goods, Adams Furniture, a bookstore, Pier 1 Imports, a drug store, Tangerine Bank, and more.
Another notable feature in the vintage photo is the piano manufacturing company, Mason & Risch Ltd., located across the street from the theatre. Today, this area is home to the Eaton Centre (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 200, Series 372, Sub Series 41, Item 48 – Dept. of Public Works photographs)
The archive photo shows the streetscape a century ago. In the left foreground, there is a billboard advertising Davies Perfection Hams and Bacon, while the Church of the Redeemer, completed in 1879, can be seen in the centre-right. The old photo also shows the streetcar line that once travelled Bloor St.
In the present-day photo, the hotel building on the left was constructed between 1928 and 1935 and is today known as the Park Hyatt Toronto. The front facade of the Church of the Redeemer with its distinctive bell gable is visible in the distance. Since 1983, the historic church has been partially surrounded by the L-shaped Renaissance Plaza, which includes a storefront home to Louis Vuitton (City of Toronto Archives, E.L. Ruddy Company fonds, Fonds 1488, Series 1230, Item 2052)
The left side of the archive photo shows the Robert Simpson department store in the foreground, with the F.W. Woolworth store visible in the curved building across Queen St W. On the right side of the vintage photo, Heintzman’s Pianos can be seen in the distance, and just in front of it, the sign for Lowe’s Yonge Street Theatre.
In more recent times, the Robert Simpson building housed Saks Fifth Avenue and The Bay, both of which have since closed. The curved building’s facade, unveiled in 2024, was reconstructed using replica bricks, stones, and terracotta pieces due to deterioration. It is now part of the Eaton Centre. The structure that once housed the piano store still stands today, as does the theatre, which is now known as the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatres (City of Toronto Archives, Alexandra Studio fonds, Fonds 1257, Series 1057, Item 56)
A few of the establishments in the archive photo, from left to right, include the Mini Mart food store, The Millwheel Guitar Centre, Master John shoe store, Coach House Restaurant, Spot 580 body rub, Vikings Dining Room and Nordicraft Imports (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 2 Item 62)
Both photos feature the Comstock Building on the corner at 75 Victoria St. This 3-storey structure, completed in the early 1890s, is clad in orange brick with stone elements and was designed by the architectural firm Denison & King. The Victorian-era building features a corner tower, along with intricate carvings and decorative brick details. One of the building’s early tenants was the Globe Savings & Loan Company. A few businesses in the Comstock Building in the vintage photo include Leon’s Restaurant, City Typewriter Company, and Maxie’s Smoke Shop.
Also notice the neighbouring building on the left. The archive photo shows it as home to the Sheldon Pub House; however, when it was constructed in 1907/08, it was originally known as the Strand Hotel.
These two buildings are listed on the city’s heritage register and currently house the House of McGrath restaurant (City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Planning Board fonds, Fonds 2032, Series 841, File 17, Item 26)
The archive photo shows Yonge St and Granby St intersecting, featuring McDermott’s Discount Stores and Record Bar on the corner, with the Academy Restaurant located next door (City of Toronto Archives, Harvey R. Naylor fonds, Fonds 1526, File 3, Item 1)
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 197 Yonge St (Canadian Bank of Commerce Building, looking northeast along Yonge St towards Shuter St)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 205 Yonge St (Bank of Toronto Building, looking northeast along Yonge St towards Shuter St)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 211 Yonge St (Adams Furniture Building, looking northeast along Yonge St towards Shuter St)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 4 Avenue Rd (Park Hyatt Toronto, looking northeast along Bloor St W towards Avenue Rd)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 75 Victoria St (Comstock Building, northeast corner of Victoria St & Lombard St)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 221 Yonge St (Rialto Theatre/John E. Thompson Block, looking west towards Yonge St from Shuter St)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 116 Bond St (First Lutheran Church, looking northwest at Dundas St E & Bond St)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 75 Victoria St (Comstock Building, northeast corner of Victoria St & Lombard St)
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 81 Victoria St (Strand Hotel, northeast corner of Victoria St & Lombard St)
- City of Toronto: Planning & Development: 98-100 Bond St & 54-74 Dundas St E (looking northwest at Dundas St E & Bond St)
- City of Toronto: Sale of City-Owned Property Report for 205 Yonge St dated Oct 2002 (Canadian Bank of Commerce Building, looking northeast along Yonge St towards Shuter St)
- Heritage Toronto
- Heritage Toronto: Colonial Tavern (Colonial Tavern, looking northeast along Yonge St towards Shuter St)
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- The Toronto Daily Star Newspaper Archives: Apr 1, 1920, pg 29 (Parkdale Theatre, southwest corner of Queen St W & Triller Ave)
- The Globe Newspaper Archives: Jun 16, 1879, pg 4 (Church of the Redeemer, looking northeast along Bloor St W towards Avenue Rd)
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Nov 5, 1983, pg H8 (Renaissance Plaza, looking northeast along Bloor St W towards Avenue Rd)
- The Parkdale Hall: About Us (Parkdale Theatre, southwest corner of Queen St W & Triller Ave)
- Zeidler Architecture: 2 Queen West (F.W. Woolworth, looking north up Yonge St from south of Queen St)
- Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives, Toronto Public Library, Archives of Ontario & CNE Heritage
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory, courtesy of Toronto Public Library
