University Theatre – Toronto’s Magnificent Theatre Along Mink Mile

19 February 2023

1949 - University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St on the north side. On the marquee, “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” starring Sylvia Sidney, Fred MacMurray and Henry Fonda and “Special Agent,” starring William Eythe and George Reeves, were playing — 1949 – University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St on the north side (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 135159)

The University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W (west of Bay St on the north side) in the Yorkville neighbourhood of Toronto.

University Theatre’s Wavy Facade

When the theatre opened in 1949, it was one of the first large post-war movie houses built by Famous Players Limited. Designed by architect Eric Wilfrid Hounsom, the theatre featured Art Moderne influences with a gently curved-cut limestone facade towering 10.6 m or 35 ft high. It had a split marquee, ticket booth, glass doors and a two-storey black granite framed window naturally lit the interior stairway. University Theatre had one of the largest screens in the city, a balcony and over 1,300 plush seats.

2021 - The facade of the former University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St on the north side — 2021 – The facade of the former University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St on the north side

Through the Years

University Theatre, located on what was known as the Mink Mile, screened some of the biggest blockbusters for nearly four decades. The building received heritage status in 1986, but the theatre closed that year because of declining attendance.

The property owners demolished much of the theatre, turning it into a parking lot; however, the features deemed heritage remained. They included the cut-marble base, stainless-steel door frames and handles, front window, cantilevered canopies and limestone façade. While the façade was braced from behind, it was also left to deteriorate.

Restoration of the Facade

The new developers of the prime real estate site were tasked with restoring the historic façade. Each limestone block was taken down, numbered, cleaned, patched and rebuilt. The total cost for the façade restoration was $1 million. Completed in 2002 and part of a condominium at 10 Bellair St, it became part of the storefront retail and was home to Pottery Barn until 2017.

About Eric Hounsom

The architect, Eric Hounsom, went to Central Tech High School. He worked for Kaplan & Sprachman, a prominent Canadian architectural firm that designed many beautiful vintage theatres across the country. Mr Hounsom also had his own practice designing theatres, churches, schools, commercial buildings and homes throughout Canada.

Before the movie theatre, the site was home to the Toronto Orthopaedic Hospital.

University Theatre Photos

1949 - University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W. On the marquee, “Joan of Arc,” starring Ingrid Bergman, José Ferrer and Selena Royle, was playing — 1949 – University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W. On the marquee, “Joan of Arc,” starring Ingrid Bergman, José Ferrer and Selena Royle, was playing (City of Toronto Archives, Eric Hounsom Architect Fonds, Fonds 1248, Series 1343, File 128)

1960 – Looking northwest towards the University Theatre, once located at 100 Bloor St W. On the marquee, “Ben-Hur,” starring Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins and Stephen Boyd, was playing. Notice the Park Plaza Hotel and Holt Renfrew in the distance (City of Toronto Archives, Series 648, File 70, ID 11)

2022 - Looking northwest on Bloor St W towards shops and the facade of the former University Theatre in the Yorkville neighbourhood — 2022 – Looking northwest on Bloor St W towards shops and the facade of the former University Theatre in the Yorkville neighbourhood

1949 - On the University Theatre marquee, “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” starring Sylvia Sidney, Fred MacMurray and Henry Fonda and “Special Agent,” starring William Eythe and George Reeves, were playing — 1949 – On the University Theatre marquee, “The Trail of the Lonesome Pine,” starring Sylvia Sidney, Fred MacMurray and Henry Fonda and “Special Agent,” starring William Eythe and George Reeves, were playing (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1266, Item 135159)

1949 - University Theatre entrance once located at 100 Bloor St W — 1949 – University Theatre entrance once located at 100 Bloor St W (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1343, File 128, Item 2)

1949 - University Theatre lobby once located at 100 Bloor St W — 1949 – University Theatre lobby once located at 100 Bloor St W (Archives of Ontario I0012610)

1949 - The auditorium and screen at the University Theatre — 1949 – The auditorium and screen at the University Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Eric Hounsom Architect Fonds, Fonds 1248, Series 1343, File 128)

1949 - University Theatre concession stand — 1949 – University Theatre concession stand (City of Toronto Archives, Eric Hounsom Architect Fonds, Fonds 1248, Series 1343, File 128)

1949 - University Theatre hallway and entrance to the auditorium — 1949 – University Theatre hallway and entrance to the auditorium (City of Toronto Archives, Eric Hounsom Architect Fonds, Fonds 1248, Series 1343, File 128)

1949 - The two-storey, black granite framed window between the split marquee at the University Theatre — 1949 – The two-storey, black granite framed window between the split marquee at the University Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Eric Hounsom Architect Fonds, Fonds 1248, Series 1343, File 128)

1949 - The entrance, lobby and staircase to the balcony of the University Theatre — 1949 – The entrance, lobby and staircase to the balcony of the University Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Eric Hounsom Architect Fonds, Fonds 1248, Series 1343, File 128)

1949 - Seating area in the University Theatre — 1949 – Seating area in the University Theatre (Archives of Ontario I0012606)

1949 - The auditorium and balcony at the University Theatre — 1949 – The auditorium and balcony at the University Theatre (Archives of Ontario I0012607)

2022 - The heritage designated facade of the former University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St — 2022 – The heritage designated facade of the former University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St

1949 - On the University Theatre marquee, “Jolson Sings Again,” starring Larry Parks, Barbara Hale and William Demarest, was playing — 1949 – On the University Theatre marquee, “Jolson Sings Again,” starring Larry Parks, Barbara Hale and William Demarest, was playing (City of Toronto Archives, Eric Hounsom Architect Fonds, Fonds 1248, Series 1343, File 128)

1969 – Looking southwest towards Bloor St W and Bay St. Notice green Firebird and the University Theatre sign on the right (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 124, File 2, Item ID 40)

1983 - Looking northeast towards the University Theatre once located at 100 Bloor St W. On the marquee, “Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi,” starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, was playing — 1983 – Looking northeast towards the University Theatre once located at 100 Bloor St W. On the marquee, “Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi,” starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher, was playing (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 124, File 3, ID 101)

2021 - Looking northeast towards the facade of the former University Theatre was once located on Bloor St W, west of Bay St — 2021 – Looking northeast towards the facade of the former University Theatre was once located on Bloor St W, west of Bay St

1983 - Looking northwest from Bloor St W and St Thomas St towards shops and the University Theatre — 1983 – Looking northwest from Bloor St W and St Thomas St towards shops and the University Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 124, File 3, ID 100)

1981 - On the University Theatre marquee, “The Lion of the Desert,” starring Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed and Rod Steiger, was playing — 1981 – On the University Theatre marquee, “The Lion of the Desert,” starring Anthony Quinn, Oliver Reed and Rod Steiger, was playing (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 515, Item 10)

2021 - The facade of the former University Theatre located at 100 Bloor St W. Notice the Festival Walkway on the left that leads to Critchley Ln and Village of Yorkville Park — 2021 – The facade of the former University Theatre located at 100 Bloor St W. Notice the Festival Walkway on the left that leads to Critchley Ln and Village of Yorkville Park

2022 – The Festival Walkway, on the west side of the former University Theatre, connects Bloor St W with Critchley Ln and Village of Yorkville Park

2022 – The Festival Walkway plaque (The Festival Walkway By Reinhard Reitzenstein)

Between 1986 and 1989 - University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St on the north side. The theatre closed in 1986 — Between 1986 and 1989 – University Theatre was once located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St on the north side. The theatre closed in 1986 (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1465, File 515, Item 16)

2016 – Looking north towards Pottery Barn, which once occupied the former theatre building located at 100 Bloor St W (Google Maps)

2021 - Looking northeast towards the facade of the former University Theatre located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St — 2021 – Looking northeast towards the facade of the former University Theatre located at 100 Bloor St W, west of Bay St

Between 1946 - Architect Eric W Hounsom rendering of the University Theatre — Between 1946 – Architect Eric W Hounsom rendering of the University Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Series 1343, File 141, Item 1)

1949 - The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the University Theatre — 1949 – The Toronto City Directory showing the address of the University Theatre (Toronto Public Library)

1924 - Toronto Orthopaedic Hospital, the future site of University Theatre — 1924 – Toronto Orthopaedic Hospital, the future site of University Theatre (City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 727)

SOURCE

City of Toronto Heritage Register: 100 Bloor St W
Ontario Heritage Trust: 100 Bloor St W
City of Toronto: A Work in Progress
The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Aug 18, 1949, pg 13
Toronto Star Newspaper Archives: Nov 16, 2002, pg P4
Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives & Archives of Ontario
Street Photo: Google Maps
Toronto City Directory by Might Directories Ltd 1949 courtesy of Toronto Public Library