Occident Hall/Holiday Tavern/The Big Bop Update

A successful restoration of the building was revealed this weekend. More to follow.

This is Occident Hall at the South West corner of Queen and Bathurst.

The first recorded work of renowned Toronto Architect E.J. Lennox,
"Builder of Toronto"
Built in 1876 as a Masonic Lodge with shops on the ground level.

From 1948 and up to about 1984 it was known as the Holiday Tavern and helped to give the intersection it's now famous name of "F*ck Face City" as coined by Chris Houston. The Big Bop is about to close and be taken over by Crate and Barrel.
Currently there appears to be some restoration of the facade under way.
As of January 2010 the renovations have started with the
removal of the angel stone cladding and gutting years of
insensitive alterations to the interior. It will be interesting to watch the progress.

 The front of the Holiday Tavern looking west across Bathurst with the Paddock Tavern in the B/G, sometime in the mid 1960's.

Queen and Yonge/Then and Now

A publicity stunt outside the Colonial Tavern on Yonge St. I would guess the early 1960's.

The mid 1970's.
The mid 70's.

The new facade in the 1980's.

A good shot of Yonge Street in the early 1980's showing the famous Colonial Tavern.
Demolished a short time later. The bank on the left was designed by E.J. Lennox.
The bank still stands.

A Rush handbill.
A Toronto Star ad.

Occident Hall/Holiday Tavern/The Big Bop

This is Occident Hall at the South West corner of Queen and Bathurst.
The first recorded work of renowned Toronto Architect E.J. Lennox,
"Builder of Toronto"
Built in 1876 as a Masonic Lodge with shops on the ground level.

During the 60's and up to about 1984 it was known as the Holiday Tavern and helped to give the intersection it's now famous name of "F*ck Face City" as coined by Chris Houston. The Big Bop is about to close and be taken over by Crate and Barrel.
Currently there appears to be some restoration of the facade under way.
As of January 2010 the renovations have started with the
removal of the angel stone cladding and gutting years of
insensitive alterations to the interior. It will be interesting to watch the progress.