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Runnymede Theatre

Runnymede Theatre

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

First Opened: 2nd June 1927 (97 years ago)

Atmospheric Style: Spanish Courtyard

Architects: Chapman and Oxley

Status: Repurposed

Website: www1.shoppersdrugmart.ca/en/store-locator/store/989 Link opens in new window

Address: 2223 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON M6S 1M7 Link opens in new window


Overview

Auditorium in 2009, courtesy Flickr user <i>Marcanadian</i>
Auditorium in 2009, courtesy Flickr user Marcanadian

Commonly known as the “Runny”, the Runnymede Theatre was built as an atmospheric vaudeville theatre, the first of this type in Toronto, opening in June 1927.

The building was designed by Alfred Chapman, father of Chris Chapman, an accomplished Toronto filmmaker. Known for its music and stage shows, the 1400-seat theatre, branded “Canada’s Theatre Beautiful”, quickly became popular and brought prestige to the west end of the city.

The theatre was converted into a movie theatre in the late 1930s. In the early 1970s, the building became a bingo hall, then reverted to being a movie theatre in 1980 albeit this time twinned with two screens. The movie theatre ultimately closed in February 1999.

Later in 1999, Chapters Link opens in new window – Canada’s largest bookstore – redeveloped the old theatre into a bookstore while keeping the cinema’s atmospheric interior intact.

Shoppers Drug Mart Link opens in new window took over the space at the end of Chapters’ 15-year lease in early 2014. The new drugstore opened in April 2015.

Further Reading

Online

Historic Photos & Documents
Files displayed in this section may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media.

Photos of the Runnymede Theatre

Photo credits are noted where data was available at the time of inclusion. Photos displayed here may be subject to copyright; refer to our Copyright Fair Use Statement regarding our use of copyrighted media and contact us Contact Us with any concerns.

Exterior
Runnymede Theatre: Exterior façade on Bloor St
Exterior façade on Bloor St
Runnymede Theatre: House Left Exterior
House Left Exterior
Runnymede Theatre: House Right Exterior
House Right Exterior
Interior
Runnymede Theatre: Auditorium Panorama from Balcony Left
Auditorium Panorama from Balcony Left
Runnymede Theatre: Auditorium Exit
Auditorium Exit
Runnymede Theatre: Auditorium from Main Floor Right
Auditorium from Main Floor Right
Runnymede Theatre: Entrance Lobby
Entrance Lobby
Runnymede Theatre: House Left Sidewall
House Left Sidewall
Runnymede Theatre: Plasterwork Closeup
Plasterwork Closeup
Runnymede Theatre: Projector at Balcony Right
Projector at Balcony Right
Runnymede Theatre: Proscenium Arch
Proscenium Arch
Runnymede Theatre: Stage view of Auditorium ceiling
Stage view of Auditorium ceiling


Photographs copyright © 2002-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos unless otherwise noted.

Text copyright © 2017-2024 Mike Hume / Historic Theatre Photos.

For photograph licensing and/or re-use contact me here Contact Us.





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