Pantages/Imperial/Imperial Six/Pantages/Canon Theatre

Built in 1920 and originally called The Pantages this was Canada's largest theatre, able to seat 3372. In 1930 the name was changed to the Imperial and it continued to operate until 1972 closing after a nine month long engagement of the Godfather.

On June 21, 1973 the redesigned theatre was re-opened as the Imperial Six and lasted until 1986 when a complicated leasing agreement split the theatre between two different owners.
It opened again briefly as the Pantages before closing for a complete restoration.
You can read the complete story here.
In July 2001 it was renamed the Canon Theatre.
Images courtesy of John Chuckman and Eric Viellette.

The Revue Cinema/ Then and Now

The Revue 2010.

The Revue Cinema on Roncesvalles in 1935.
The Revue Cinema on Roncesvalles was built in 1911 and had the distinction of being

the longest running theatre with it's original facade. That was until the supports gave way

and the entire canopy crashed to the sidewalk a couple of winters ago.

The Revue continues to operate as a single screen theatre and as such still an enjoyable place to go.

Old House on Spadina

This old house at 233 Spadina was built in the 1880's for Mr. Huson Murray and was used as a funeral home for a few years in the 1910's.

It's one of the last houses left on Spadina and a reminder of the street's former residential past.

Now it's just a mess.

Queen and Spadina/ Then and Now Part 2

Looking south west down Spadina across queen in 1921. At this time Spadina was still very much a residential street but business had started to move in.

Today

Queen and Spadina/ Then and Now

Here's a shot looking south east on Spadina across queen Street taken in 1920 or so. The Church, St. Margarets was converted into a factory in the late 1910's.
2010, the church is still here with a new Art Deco facade and has been re-purposed as a clothing store. A look down the alley reveals the old church windows, and remnants of the bell tower.
An earlier photo with St Margaret's on the left and in the foreground the entrance to the public washrooms that were located in the centre median.
It must have been a comfort to know back then that despite not having a cell phone, Blackberry or I-Pod that you could still be confident that there was a public washroom available should the need arise. Sometimes you have to go.