Toronto underwent significant social, economic, and cultural changes that would shape its future trajectory. From the rise of the city’s financial district to the flourishing of its arts and music scenes. One of the most notable changes in Toronto during the 1970s was the rapid development of its skyline. The construction of the CN Tower, which began in 1973 and was completed in 1976, forever altered the city’s silhouette. Standing at 553.33 meters (1,815.4 ft), the CN Tower became an instant icon and a symbol of Toronto’s growing prominence on the world stage. Other significant additions to the skyline during this period included the First Canadian Place (1975), the Eaton Centre (1977), and the Royal Bank Plaza (1979). However, this progress came at a cost. Many heritage buildings were demolished to make way for the new, leaving some to lament the loss of architectural character.
The industrial legacy left the city feeling grimy, with many buildings sporting a brown, orange, and beige color palette. Smoking was prevalent, and the air quality reflected it. Socially, there were struggles. While the late 60s spirit lingered, bigotry remained an issue.
Music lovers embraced the shift from disco to punk, with legendary venues like The Horseshoe hosting up-and-coming acts. The arrival of the Metropolitan Zoo (now the Toronto Zoo) and Ontario Place, a man-made island park with futuristic vibes, offered exciting new recreational options for families.
#1 West Island, Ontario Place. Photo by Ellis Wiley, August 1972.
#2 Looking east to Old City Hall along Queen St. W., Sept. 1975.
#3 TTC PCC streetcar 4741 (acquired secondhand by Toronto, originally build for Birmingham Alabama) stops at the corner of King & York to pickup westbound passengers in June 1970.
#4 Toronto from the Cayuga, 1900s
#5 Store front on Queen Street West near Jameson in about 1972.
#6 Jack and Jill’s and the Cafe de la Paix, 1970s
#7 Street Vendor on Yonge Street, 1972.
#8 View looking north on Yonge St. near Edward St. with Christmas lights up, about 1972.
#9 TD Centre, Commerce Court, Royal York Hotel, etc., view looking north east from C.N. Tower, Aug. 1976.
#10 Toronto, view looking northwest from the C.N. Tower, Aug. 1976.
#11 Exhibition Park, view looking west from Ontario Place, Aug. 1975.
#12 An alley behind King Street East off of Church Street, 1970s
#13 TTC PCC streetcar 4545 heads westbound on St. Clair Ave. East near Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on a sunny Summer afternoon in 1972, after coming down Mount Pleasant Ave. from Eglinton loop at the end of the St. Clair route.
#14 Toronto Skyline, September 1976.
#15 Drive in Toronto, 1970s
#16 38-40 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1978
#17 Does anyone remember turning Yonge Street into a pedestrian mall in the summer in the 1970s
#18 Dad at Nathan Phillips Square, probably mid 1970s
#19 Dundas St. near Kipling Ave., 1970s
#20 TTC Lansdowne garage 50, 1970s
#21 Gray coach bus at st clair stn rear exit. Training bus – Credit Leonard Jacks, 1972
#22 Don Mills & Lawrence looking west early 1970s
#23 61 Binscarth Road, 1979
#24 TTC Birchmount garage, 1972
#25 70 Berkeley Street – 1970
#26 55-79 Berkeley Street – 1972
#27 26 Berkeley Street – 1973
#28 95 Bellevue Avenue, 1979
#29 87 Bellevue Avenue -1991
#30 87 Bellevue Avenue, 1979
#31 TTC GM bus 3718 at Passmore and Midland – Credit Leonard Jacks, 1973
#32 39 Beaty Avenue, 1976
#33 39-43 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1976
#34 35-37 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1970
#35 32-34 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1976
#36 28-30 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1976
#37 27-29 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1976
#38 14 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1976
#39 19 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1976
#40 9-11 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1976
#41 8-10 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1979
#42 222 Bay Street (Toronto Stock Exchange), 1976
#43 West side of Yonge between Front & Wellington, 1974
#44 West side of Yonge between Front & Wellington, 1974
#45 Bathurst & Lakeshore looking northwest, 1979
#46 This is what 4 Bancroft looked like after it was moved, 1979
#47 This is 4 Bancroft Avenue in 1976. This house was cut in half and the main part was saved and moved west to be part of Bancroft Hall.
#48 124 Baldwin Street, 1976
#49 110-112 Baldwin Street, 1976
#50 19-21 Baldwin Street, 1979
#51 50 Baldwin Street, 1970
#52 50 Baldwin Street, 1970
#53 100 Bain Avenue, 1975
#54 240 Avenue Road, 1973
#55 Northeast corner of Avenue Road & Davenport, 1976
#56 The Old Vienna Bookshop – 112 Avenue Road, 1976
#57 Lillian Weiss Antiques – 110 Avenue Road, 1976
#58 Pottery Shop – 100 Avenue Road, 1976
#59 Auberge Gavroche – 90 Avenue Road – Surprisingly this building is still standing, 1976
#60 The Irish Shop – Gerald Campbell Studios – 84-86 Avenue Road, 1976
Leave a Reply
One Comment
-
Incredible then Bobbe moved to Irwin Ave
Great Memories.
