Looking southeast on Yonge St, between Shuter St and Queen St, in the Downtown Yonge area of Toronto.
The archive photo shows a view of Yonge St from Albert St when the two streets intersected. The businesses in the vintage photo include Rose Jewellers, the Toronto Dominion Bank and the Colonial Tavern.
The bank building, notable for its four Corinthian columns and hemispherical dome, was constructed circa 1906 and designed by architect E.J. Lennox. The grand building was added to the city’s heritage register in 1973. TD Bank closed this location in 1989. After undergoing renovations, the building served as the offices of the Toronto Historical Board from 1992 to 2001. Today, the landmark at 205 Yonge St houses an asset management company.
The Colonial Tavern opened in 1947 in a building that had previously operated as a hotel. A fire destroyed the building in the same year that the vintage photo was taken. It was rebuilt and reopened in 1961. A few legendary musicians who performed at the Colonial Tavern include Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Rush. The tavern closed its doors in 1987, and the building was torn down.
Then and Now
SOURCE
- City of Toronto Heritage Register
- City of Toronto Heritage Register: 205 Yonge St
- Heritage Toronto
- Heritage Toronto: Colonial Tavern
- Ontario Heritage Trust
- Photo: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
- Vintage Photo: University of Calgary
- City of Toronto: Maps
- Toronto City Directory courtesy of Toronto Public Library
