The Top 10 "Lost" buildings in Toronto history

Old Toronto Series & Bosley Real Estate present: The Top 10 "Lost" buildings in Toronto history
www.oldtorontoseries.com
Hosted/Researched/Filmed/Scored by: Morgan Cameron Ross

[@michaeltroster9059]

The great tragedy in Toronto was the tendency for the politicians to destroy the best buildings in the city and replacing them with ugly unremarkable buildings.

[@2Sugarbears]

Hiding the truth of history.

[@salernolake]

Honorable mentions go to 1) The University Avenue Armories building on University Avenue 2) Toronto Normal School on Gould St (now Ryerson Community Park) 3) Sunnyside Pavilion and Tea Garden

[@rosajacobsen8140]

Again, thanks for the memories! The Toronto Star building was the very first skyscraper I saw, arriving in Toronto from the UK in 1964. Recall watching a rodeo in the Maple Leaf Stadium. And as for Honest Ed's -- a true Toronto institution! I love your videos and hope you do more vanished landmark buildings.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks for watching!

[@rosajacobsen8140]

@@OldTorontoSeries I love watching your videos. My family is still in and around TO and the series will be invaluable for the grandkids as they get curious about "The Rest Of The Story". And your shows provide lots of very interesting information. Already looking forward to your next gem! :)

[@Supesfan88]

The Toronto Telegram building, Toronto Board of Trade Building (one of my favs), The Armouries, The Bata building, etc. Toronto has let so many awesome buildings disappear.

[@lesleymaw69]

watching in 2021 .... I soooo remember The Inn on the Park

[@f.e.8782]

Sad that a few of these weren't maintained and kept... Truly historic.. Thanks for this. I enjoyed it.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks for watching!

[@kerrbear1980]

Amazing video!! This could and SHOULD be a series, as Toronto is synonymous with tearing down historical buildings. Esp during the 50s to the 80s. Everything was made into a pay parking lots . The wall of condos came later.

[@TheSilverScreenSurfer]

You could have added Mutual Street Arena, home of Toronto's original pro hockey teams the Toronto Arenas and the St Pats. Later became a popular roller rink til the early 90's when it was demolished for condos. Because of course it was.

[@wandaarnt234]

Watching in 2021 Thank You Cheers from Pennsylvania

[@imannonymous7707]

love this kind of thing...oh how i love old toronto archetecture any canadian citys really....but toronto most of alll.... i remember some of these places honest eds new dufferin gates horticulture building its a shame i missed the rest

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks!

[@fryoung1]

Short and sweet, a primary on lost Toronto. Did not remnants of the Star building go into the Guildwood Inn grounds? I want more.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Correct

[@imdjc4]

Great vid. Quick and factual points with perfect visuals. Very effective.

[@neeraj6281]

I can't appreciate enough how amazing, unique and professionally made this channel is! Can't get enough. Thank you for all your hard work.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Much appreciated! Spread the word and subscribe!

[@boomsuga]

👏🏼 thank you for bring me back with these videos

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks for following!

[@outonthetiles]

Thank you for this. Born in Toronto in 66 and this is some interesting stuff. ✌️❤️🇨🇦

[@dodgingbullets3503]

🌷Thank you for this... Born and raised in Toronto; been to most of these places...Much appreciated🌷☺👏...

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@bobbbxxx]

Another awesome presentation!! I like your video about the ten oldest buildings in Toronto, but would love to see more celebration of the "Saved" buildings in Toronto. There are so many to choose from....Montgomery's Inn, the Georgian Daniels Building in Old Toronto, St Lawrence Market, the 1832 Mystic Muffin building, Old City Hall, the Flatiron Building, Scadding Cabin, The Church of the Holy Trinity, and Little Trinity Churches, The John Daniels house in Yorkville, the 1827 Bank of Upper Canada building, many of our old Firehalls, Toronto's Fourth York Post Office on Adelaide, Colbourne Lodge in High Park, The Albany Club, Paul Bishop's House, The Old Mill, the old Post Office at 10 Toronto Street, entire neighbourhoods like Cabbagetown, Old Chinatown, Kensington Market. There are an incredible number of Victorian, and Edwardian buildings in Toronto, and even a number of Georgian. The Princes' Gate represents the only Triumphal Arch in Canada. Toronto has some magnificent old Theatres; The Elgin, the Wintergarden, The Mirvish, The Royal Alexandra. We are incredibly lucky to still have Massey Hall as well. Most Canadian cities tore down most of their old theatres and concert halls, unfortunately. Not a building, but astonishingly Toronto was the only city in North America not to demolish it's streetcar system in the 1950's. San Francisco kept a small amount, but Toronto kept it's streetcar system. Even cities like New York, Paris and London scrapped theirs. Torontonians have a way of not noticing the old architecture around them, and rather assume incorrectly that it is all gone. I've even seen people mourn buildings they see in old black and white photos that are actually still alive and kicking, but people don't notice them in real life. Thanks to people like yourself, many can learn things that they did not know about their own city! most Torontonians know of the Great Fire of Chicago, but not that we had our own Great Fires in 1849 and 1904 that destroyed most of downtown.A big thank you for educating the public!!

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks!

[@QuestforaMeaningfulLife]

Good local knowledge! Makes life in the city richer to bring some of this time depth to it.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks! Make sure to subscribe!

[@ORGANIZEDCoNfUsioN]

That was really cool. There were a bunch of buildings I didn't know about. Like # 286 and new SUB!!!!!

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks!

[@19gregske55]

Samuel Teperman of Teperman Demolition was once asked: "In the history of your firm, there ever a building that you were felt shouldn't have been demolished?" He replied: "Yes - Chorley Park."

[@MrMikepresley]

I metal detect various locations in Toronto that I research, and its amazing what things I find (relics from 1793 - to the present), and whats more amazing is the research I do on my finds, and learn things about Toronto make me a proud and fascinated Torontonian; thank you for doing the Toronto history video.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Very cool!

[@WaltCabral]

What about the barracks on University avenue where now stands the Courthouses? It was a shame to destroy such architecture only to have, run of the mill, concrete block buildings... : (

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Also a good choice. Choosing 10 was difficult!

[@MrPatrick1414]

Some beautiful buildings lost forever...that Deeds and Registry and the Toronto Star buildings, especially. Unfortunately greedy developers and the politicians that serve them have destroyed the culture and personality of Toronto...it is now just a second class, massive condo complex with no character. More thought should have been made to preserve the City's historical buildings like Montreal and Quebec City have done.

[@bobbbxxx]

You've brought up an interesting point; people assume Montreal preserved all of it's historical architecture. In fact, much more has been destroyed or burned there than Toronto.The difference is with a long history before Toronto was settled, there was a great deal more historical architecture in Montreal than Toronto ever had. In a similar way, there is more historical architecture in Paris than in Dubai.

[@berkaydemirbas3841]

I think it depends on what's too much of a loss. I see historical buildings wherever I go in Toronto. There is a new high-rise being built at the moment at the corner of King and Dufferin. They kept the little old BMO bank even though it sits empty. However, our country has the second biggest land on earth. It's very disappointing to hear some historical buildings got demolished. There was almost nothing in Vaughan in 1960's. Why demolish a Toronto historical building in 1960's. Downtown Toronto to Vaughan is only about 35km. And from the southern to northern Ontario is over 800km. Lots of land sitting empty but still demolishing a historical building...

[@patrickpell6713]

@@bobbbxxx To a degree…but the overriding cause was the explosion of wealth in Toronto and the FLQ crisis which shifted the economic axis to Toronto…Montreal, while ever great, now feels small by comparison. The shift of wealth led to very little development in Montreal for decades. It remains remarkably the same…which is good.

[@BeeRich33]

0:27 is that the Fleet Street Molson's plant going in there, right side? Bottom left is the CHIN building, still there. Also please make sure you say "Princes Gates" as many say "Princess Gates".

[@hrddrvto]

Really enjoyed this.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks for watching!

[@markojameow]

There was also the short-lived Lord Simcoe Hotel, on the corner of King Street West and University Avenue. Built in 1956, the high-rise hotel (co-designed by the great Peter Dickinson) consistently lost money until it closed permanently in 1979. SunLife Centre East Tower was built in its place by 1984. Also gone, but not forgotten: the Shell/Bulova Tower at Exhibition Place (built 1955, destroyed 1986) and the Sutton Place Hotel (built 1967, closed 2012 and rebuilt as condos in 2019).

[@greg1mcintosh844]

Very well presented

[@swingersfan]

I had great memories at Honest Ed’s, and was sad to see it go.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Sadly missed.

[@paulfun8720]

What a great vid it answered a lot of questions for me. I would have included Greenwood Racetrack in there.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Glad it helped!

[@billdang3953]

Varsity Stadium should also be included. I was struck by the coincidence in what happened to the Crystal Palace buildings both here and in London England. Both were destroyed by fire.

[@EB-ut1lj]

What a fkn shame. They demolish these beautiful buildings only to put either nothing or an obvious eyesore. Our city is pathetic.

[@pinkcouturexo]

I’ve lived here my whole life. After seeing vids like this I am so disgusted with how the city has transformed into.

[@slushland]

GREAT VIDEO... SAD TO SEE THAT THE OLD LADY ON CARLTON ( MAPLE LEAF GARDENS ) ISN'T IN THE TOP 10... GUARANTEED ONLY A VERY FEW EVEN KNOW HALF OF THE BUILDINGS IN THIS TOP 10...

[@atriskyouthtv]

YO AMAZING VIDEO BROTHER NUFF RESPECT

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks!

[@onionboi]

I'm really enjoying your channel. I was wondering if you have any information surrounding the corner of Jarvis and Earl street( place). I live in the area and have looked for past structures, specifically the NE corner ( there are town houses, a low rise apt building, and a parking lot there presently). I have found images along the other intersections of Jarvis, but that is always skipped over. Do You have any leads?

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks for the nice words! Here is a good resource to start looking for things: oldto.sidewalklabs.com/

[@Sparky-ov1ot]

I first visited Toronto in the 80's and have been often since, even I have noticed the decline of the city, though I would still rate it way up there, not for the buildings or facilities but the people. Anyway I don't want to finish on a low note so Happy New Year Toronto!

[@ashmeg861]

Wish i could find more colour photos of the Toronto Star building :(

[@markwoodley712]

I recently attended a webinar about crystal palaces in London, New York & Paris and thought Toronto also must have had one to showcase late 19th C advances in industry and agriculture. Was Chorley Park the residence of the lieutenant governor of Ontario? The summer residence still exists in Hamilton on Bay St. South, right under the escarpment. Thought the Eaton estate Ardwold may have made your list of lost buildings too. Thanks!

[@RottenAnimal]

When I was a kid, I seen a baseball game at the Maple leaf stadium.

[@keithmarshall4350]

Great list! FYI, Honest Ed's site is actually being used for purpose-built rental.

[@monicapushkin3274]

Great summary. Toronto has always had an "appetite for destruction" regarding its historic buildings. From the earliest times Toronto has cheerfully pulled down magnificent buildings often only a few decades old. Current citizens have no clue of Toronto's history.

[@marcomanino8884]

What Montreal did better than Toronto was maintain its history through much of its architecture.

[@Jay-vr9ir]

Not Expo 67

[@stasc5539]

Yeah but nobody cares about montreal

[@user-hu2yu3ez1e]

Montréal compare to Toronto don't have a lot like Toronto they have to renovate just a few.

[@user-hu2yu3ez1e]

​@@Jay-vr9irwe have Baseball team N.B.A team and also we have foncti

[@user-hu2yu3ez1e]

​@@Jay-vr9irwe have a sky Dome with a working rooftop for less that you pay for.

[@sunpointstudio4472]

While technically not in Toronto, the old Fallingbrook Pavilion located just east of the R.C.Harris filtration plant on the beach and originally accessible from a long steep staircase at the foot of Fallingbrook Rd. and the very east end of Queen St. was once a popular dance club. I remember as a child going down there when it was used as a boat house. Soon thereafter some neighbourhood hoodlums set it ablaze. The ruins remained for many years since - perhaps they are still there.

[@ricknelsonm]

Yes, the over doing of condo's is a real serious issue,

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Sadly, yes.

[@varunmunjal9659]

Very unique concept, do one for Montréal!

[@McGoogger]

so cool

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks!

[@st.cproductions6800]

Why do they demolish everything it’s tragic

[@rocket767]

I feel the same way short sighted thinking.. I hate all those condos they eclipse the downtown

[@FrankKnight8846]

There were way more historical buildings that were demolished in Toronto.....Not just 10......Waaaayyyyy more building. They’ve destroyed so much history. It’s sad and disappointing.

[@markmcelwain8331]

Bravo, well done. Enjoyed it. The item on Chorley Park could have had a bit more explanation of its demise. That (populist) Premier Mitch Hepburn made a popular promise to get rid of the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor. That the building was used during the war as a convalescent home; that the building sat empty and in poor repair afterwards, and the city tearing it down was by then welcomed.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks!

[@patrickpell6713]

It was a ridiculous loss…we should have a Government House.

[@Firestone1]

The Temple building at Richmond/Bay would have made my list. Great video though...

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Many great options out there!

[@nikkiseashores82]

The crystal palace was gorgeous

[@rocket767]

I was thinking the same thing did not realize it was a completely wooden structure

[@BerdnikovMedia]

One honorable mention should be the palace pier. Not a wildly crazy building. But I just think it's interesting that Toronto had a pier with big plans. www.torontovintagesociety.ca/2014/06/vintage-dance-hall-palace-pier.html#:~:text=The%20Palace%20Pier%20was%20originally,steamboat%20landing%20at%20the%20end.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Definitely could have been on the list. Hard to narrow down.

[@patrickpell6713]

We’ll we were one of the largest industrial hubs on the Great Lakes. Commercial and Leisure ships all docked at the Quays.

[@johnpatterson4272]

For a moment I thought I was going to see the old 'Bata Headquarters building' at the DVP and Eglinton (Wynford Dr.). Still a great video, just a little too short.

[@ahappyhippy]

Honest Ed was a very wonderful man. He was a regular Maple Leaf Gardens.

[@jeffwindrim975]

It was a interesting video the one thing I would have added would have been after maple leaf stadium was torn down later exhibition place stadium was torn down

[@dixonpinfold2582]

Eglinton and Leslie wasn't a "remote area" in the 1960s.😮 It was a mere 4.8 miles from City Hall in a metropolitan area with a population of 2.2 million mid-decade. Maybe it was a remote area in 1880.

[@Marshal_Dunnik]

Almost as criminal as its destruction is its lack of inclusion on this or any similar list, the old Board of Trade building: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toronto_Board_of_Trade_Building

[@TheDobsonic]

Love the videos but there is an error in this one. That post card of the motor inn is from King 621 King Street (sadly gone in the 1990's) not the motor in on Jarvis (which also was pretty cool).

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Yup. Spotted that after. Quite annoying for me! hahah. Although it also was a cool hotel.

[@senorschnouty]

You include Honest Ed's, which has significance as an icon of social history but none as a building, yet leave out the Board of Trade Building, the Queen Street Asylum and the Cyclorama Building, to name but a few.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

A hard task narrowing things down to 10.

[@paulmezhir8354]

Minor nits to pick.... Beaux Arts...."Boze arts" Taste of the town..."Toast of the town"

[@hulaGUNZ]

Back in the day....things were pretty good.

[@KyleTO7]

Demolishing the Chorley building?! I really can't believe how stupid the general public was back then. We protest over a damn brick warehouse these days lol. The crystal palace was amazing to.

[@emloney]

In Britain they would have converted Chorley Park into a posh country house hotel. A lot of old mansions have been done over that way.

[@patrickpell6713]

It was a house…home to our Lieutenant Governor and Her Majesty’s home in Ontario. But, of course, people don’t want the upkeep of Sussex Drive. What other first world nation nickel and dimes over official residences?

[@TherealPolar-B]

THE CREATERS OF FLIPPING SUPERMAN WAS CANADIAN??? AND FROM THE SAME CITY AS MYSELF???

[@OldTorontoSeries]

✔️✔️

[@ramzyrodriguez5971]

Honest ed. Remember dat place well.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Very memorable

[@Sofia-jz9hj]

There was a crystal palace!?!?! 😭😭😭

[@johannjasinski]

although these buildings were lost, they were never turned into a condo, amen

[@bombguruENT]

👏🏽

[@OldTorontoSeries]

Thanks!

[@BrendanMetcalfe]

🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@caribbeanliquidlunch4038]

what, no drone shot?

[@TagusMan]

Good stuff here. Such a shame to see beautiful buildings torn down and replaced by vastly inferior architecture. And just a note on the editing... just because you shoot with multiple angles, doesn't mean you have to use all of them all the time. Often the best editing is not editing at all. If all you need is the main shot, then stay on the main shot. Cheers!

[@emloney]

You're right about inferior architecture replacing the old. The loss of the Eaton mansion on Lowther Ave is a prime example.

[@uditfonseka]

Massey Hall

[@ketherwhale6126]

Princes’ Gates still exist today in March 2022. It’s 99th year. Not that circular monstrosity. You got that wrong.

[@OldTorontoSeries]

You appear to be referencing the Dufferin Gates. Prince’s Gates on the East side of the CNE - Dufferin Gate at… Dufferin. Both Prince’s gate and Oval Dufferin are still there.

[@2Sugarbears]

You telling me this buildings was constructed during WW1?

[@jakespur6094]

I miss Toronto. Compared to Toronto vancouver is a soulless, vacuous, dull, boring resort town

[@OldTorontoSeries]

But Vancouver is easy on the eyes. Pros and cons.

[@gulfy09]

A lot of buildings were already here its a big lie as we were told

[@seanwebb605]

Perhaps accurate, but you offer no thesis or a metric to determine why we should care about these buildings. Why are they the top 10 lost buildings and not others? Is it only because you have access to pictures and information about these buildings?

[@keithryan9620]

Why isn't CAMH in this list but some lame theatre and hotel are?