Royal York Hotel

The largest hotel in the British Commonwealth for many years, the Royal York Hotel has stood across from Toronto's Union Station since it was opened on June 11th, 1929. It had over 1,000 guests rooms when it opened, each with with a radio, private shower, and bathtub.

There has long been a hotel in this location at 100 Front Street West, the previous hotel, the Queen's Hotel was torn down to make room for the Royal York.

List of all subjects. You can also see all the historic photos for a given neighbourhood. We also have a list of all the photos arranged by date.

And you can also go up a level to see the other photos we've put under the category of hotels photos.

1928 Historic photo from Monday, September 17, 1928 - Royal York Hotel under construction and York Street subway, from south in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel under construction and York Street subway, from south
96 years ago - Financial District - Monday, September 17, 1928
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1928 Historic photo from Monday, September 24, 1928 - From the rear of the new Union station the huge new Royal York hotel under construction in Financial DistrictFrom the rear of the new Union station the huge new Royal York hotel under construction
96 years ago - Financial District - Monday, September 24, 1928
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1929 Historic photo from 1929 - Royal York Hotel kitchen showing cooks and gas appliances in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel kitchen showing cooks and gas appliances
95 years ago - Financial District - 1929
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1929 Historic photo from Wednesday, June 12, 1929 - Royal York main dining room during official opening in 1929 in Financial DistrictRoyal York main dining room during official opening in 1929
95 years ago - Financial District - Wednesday, June 12, 1929
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1929 Historic photo from 1929 - Royal York Hotel, Front St. W., n.e. corner York St. in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel, Front St. W., n.e. corner York St.
95 years ago - Financial District - 1929
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1929 Historic photo from 1929 - Royal York Hotel kitchen showing employee and electric dishwasher in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel kitchen showing employee and electric dishwasher
95 years ago - Financial District - 1929
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1937 Historic photo from Friday, June 18, 1937 - Royal York Hotel ballroom - I.O.O.F. Grand Lodge of Ontario 1937 in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel ballroom - I.O.O.F. Grand Lodge of Ontario 1937
87 years ago - Financial District - Friday, June 18, 1937
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1946 Historic photo from Sunday, June 23, 1946 - Toronto skyline from Queens Quay - Royal York Hotel, Union Station, and the Postal Delivery Building (now the ACC) in Financial DistrictToronto skyline from Queens Quay - Royal York Hotel, Union Station, and the Postal Delivery Building (now the ACC)
78 years ago - Financial District - Sunday, June 23, 1946
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1950 Historic photo from Monday, June 26, 1950 - Looking across Front St. to the crowds in front of the Royal York Hotel on the day of William Lyon Mackenzie King's funeral in Financial DistrictLooking across Front St. to the crowds in front of the Royal York Hotel on the day of William Lyon Mackenzie King's funeral
74 years ago - Financial District - Monday, June 26, 1950
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1950 Historic photo from Monday, June 26, 1950 - Alternative view of crowds outside the Royal York on the occasion of the funeral of Canada's tenth Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King  in Financial DistrictAlternative view of crowds outside the Royal York on the occasion of the funeral of Canada's tenth Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King
74 years ago - Financial District - Monday, June 26, 1950
Link to archive record - Map location (From Archives of Ontario)
1956 Historic photo from Saturday, November 24, 1956 - Royal York Hotel hosts 1956 Grey Cup crowds in Toronto in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel hosts 1956 Grey Cup crowds in Toronto
68 years ago - Financial District - Saturday, November 24, 1956
Max temp: 0.6°C - Min temp: -7.8°C (weather details)
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1958 Historic photo from Monday, August 4, 1958 - Royal York Hotel 1958 addition - helped reclaim its title as the largest hotel in the British Empire at the time in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel 1958 addition - helped reclaim its title as the largest hotel in the British Empire at the time
66 years ago - Financial District - Monday, August 4, 1958
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1958 Historic photo from Monday, August 4, 1958 - Royal York Hotel 1958 addition - sign with more details in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel 1958 addition - sign with more details
66 years ago - Financial District - Monday, August 4, 1958
Link to archive record - Map location (From the City of Toronto Archives)
1965 Historic photo from Tuesday, June 1, 1965 - Queen Mother Elizabeth waving outside the Royal York Hotel in Toronto in 1965 in Financial DistrictQueen Mother Elizabeth waving outside the Royal York Hotel in Toronto in 1965
59 years ago - Financial District - Tuesday, June 1, 1965
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1973 Historic photo from Tuesday, June 26, 1973 - Queen Elizabeth II enters a reception room of the Royal York Hotel last night for a state dinner in Financial DistrictQueen Elizabeth II enters a reception room of the Royal York Hotel last night for a state dinner
51 years ago - Financial District - Tuesday, June 26, 1973
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1973 Historic photo from Tuesday, April 24, 1973 - Cleaning the front of the Royal York Hotel as part of the 1973 $13million renovation in Financial DistrictCleaning the front of the Royal York Hotel as part of the 1973 $13million renovation
51 years ago - Financial District - Tuesday, April 24, 1973
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1975 Historic photo from Monday, February 24, 1975 - Marlene Dietrich live in Toronto in the Royal York Imperial Room in Financial DistrictMarlene Dietrich live in Toronto in the Royal York Imperial Room
49 years ago - Financial District - Monday, February 24, 1975
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)
1986 Historic photo from Monday, June 30, 1986 - Royal York Hotel lobby in Financial DistrictRoyal York Hotel lobby
38 years ago - Financial District - Monday, June 30, 1986
Link to archive record - Map location (From the Toronto Public Library)