1920 – Loew’s Uptown Theatre, Toronto, Canada

The 3000-seat theatre opened as Loew’s Uptown Theatre in 1920, originally serving as a venue for both vaudeville and films. Like many theatres of the time it was constructed so that only the entrance was on a major and expensive thoroughfare while the main building fronted on a side street or behind other properties. In 1960 the Uptown was badly damaged by fire, with all the original ornate plasterwork in the dome, proscenium arch, boxes, and organ grilles destroyed. It reopened but the decoration was replaced by smooth plaster and drapery. Later subdivided into multiple smaller theatres in the late 1960s, one of the first to do so. Demolished 2003.

“The entrance is on the west side of Yonge Street, a few doors south of Bloor. The character of this theatre is similar to the other Loew houses in Canada. An open vestibule leads to the outer lobby which in turn opens into the inner lobby, both of which have been carefully designed in Italian renaissance style of architecture.

The inner lobby opens into the mezzanine promenade. This mezzanine floor is located between the orchestra and the balcony. It has an open well, 20 ft. wide by 40 ft. long, making it practically one floor from the orchestra to the vaulted ceiling of the mezzanine. Surrounding this open well is a broad promenade off which opens retiring rooms for ladies, and smoking rooms for men. Passages lead from this promenade to the*’ lower part of the balcony, | and stairways to the orchestra and to the upper part of the balcony.

The main body of the auditorium has a general color scheme of old rose, carried out by means of draperies, velvet wall coverings and carpets.

The auditorium is 120 ft. wide by 145 ft. deep, and seats three thousand persons. The furnishings of the house are in keeping- with the general high standard set by the Loew enterprises and considerable thought has been given to making all parts of the theatre convenient and comfortable for its patrons.

A beautiful Japanese setting has been installed on the stage, immediately in front of which is the musicians ‘ pit for the large concert orchestra.

While the theatre is primarily intended for use as a motion picture house, it has also been equipped with a completely rigged stage for the purpose of vaudeville performances if desired. A dressing room section has been provided giving comfortable accommodations for both actors and musicians.”
Construction, November 1920

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