10 Bellair - Part Of Toronto's History

By Author: Rob Parker
Total Articles: 312
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When it comes to Canada's most storied cities, architecture, development, and culture seem to be permanently intertwined. The city of Toronto, the largest city in Canada as well as one of the oldest, can boast some of the most unique and important buildings around as a part of a rich historical makeup. As the times changed, and populations began to move out of city centres, many of these historical buildings have been closed, sat vacant, been purchased and renewed over the last decade or so.

One such building stands at 10 Bellair in Toronto. In this article, we will take a look at the importance this building has had as a part of the history of Toronto.

University Theatre

The period between 1940 and 1960 is known as the Golden Age of Movies. During these years, people all over the world began to take an interest in the products that were coming out of Hollywood, stories where real action would bring history, adventure, romance, and fantasy to life.

Every major city had its movie theatres, where fans would flock each weekend to get away from their regular lives or to catch up on the latest news reels ...
... (without televisions, most people would catch the updates on World War II in their local cinemas). Theatres were big business, and they were constructed to give movie goers the best experience possible.

In order to do this, theatres themselves were constructed on the grandest proportions imaginable. In Toronto, the most impressive theatre of them all was the University Theatre. This gorgeous building took two full years to construct, opening its doors on March 25, 1949. Built to grandiose dimensions that reflected a combination both of the traditional opera house and the movie theatres of today, the University Theatre included box seats, balconies, and loge seats.

Change

The movie era has seen its share of changes, some of which have been quite technical in nature. The University Theatre had to shut down for a brief period in 1959 in order to allow the screens, projectors, and spaces to adapt to the new style of 70mm film. This was the only closure in the history of operation for the theatre.

Closing down and starting anew

In 1986, due to a decreased interest in large movie theatres and their operating costs, the University theatre shut down. Most of the theatre was demolished, although the curved facade (which was dismantled, shrink wrapped for protection, then remounted) still remains. Like many downtown buildings, the site and what remained was purchased and converted into loft and condo units; people living in this building today can truly consider themselves a part of the living history of Toronto.