Ranked list Story Audio

Menu

Switch to the dark mode that's kinder on your eyes at night time.

Switch to the light mode that's kinder on your eyes at day time.

in Places & People

What Toronto looked like in the 1990s

3.5k Views 64 Comments

Toronto in the 1990s was a vibrant and growing city. It was Canada’s largest city and a major center for finance, business, and culture. In 1991, Toronto was named the cultural capital of Canada. This recognition helped to boost the city’s film and television industry, which saw significant growth during this time. The Toronto Raptors NBA team was founded in 1995. The team has since become one of the city’s most popular sports franchises, bringing professional basketball to Toronto. Toronto played host to the G7 summit in 1988 and the G20 summit in 2010. These international events brought world leaders and global media attention to the city.

The 1990s was a period of economic growth for Toronto, and the city underwent significant development and expansion during this time. The SkyDome (now known as the Rogers Centre) was built in 1989, and the CN Tower, one of Toronto’s most iconic landmarks, underwent renovations and improvements. The city also played host to the 1996 Summer Olympics, which brought a great deal of attention and investment to the area. Additionally, the 1990s saw a significant increase in Toronto’s diversity as the city became home to a growing number of immigrants from all over the world.

Here are some stunning photos that offer a glimpse into the 90s Toronto.

#1 Royal York Hotel in the background, 1997

Royal York Hotel in the background, 1997

5 Points

Upvote Downvote

#2 Similar view of the service station at Weston Road and Parke 1991

Similar view of the service station at Weston Road and Parke 1991

4 Points

Upvote Downvote

#3 TTC 8484 was outfitted for Gray Line summer sightseeing duties. It had air conditioning and premium seating, 1997

TTC 8484 was outfitted for Gray Line summer sightseeing duties. It had air conditioning and premium seating, 1997

4 Points

Upvote Downvote

#4 The now-closed Canary Restaurant, for which the Canary District is named.1990s

The now-closed Canary Restaurant, for which the Canary District is named.1990s

4 Points

Upvote Downvote

#5 Westwood Theatre in the 1990s

Westwood Theatre in the 1990s

3 Points

Upvote Downvote

#6 St. Clair and Yonge subway station, 1990s

St. Clair and Yonge subway station, 1990s

3 Points

Upvote Downvote

#7 The Big Bop in psychedelic colours.1990s

The Big Bop in psychedelic colours.1990s

3 Points

Upvote Downvote

#8 Admiral Road, 1990

Admiral Road, 1990

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#9 10 Adelaide Street East, 1990s

10 Adelaide Street East, 1990s

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#10 Looking east from the roof of 25 Grenville Street, 1993

Looking east from the roof of 25 Grenville Street, 1993

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#11 Yonge Street looking north at Gould, 1992.

Yonge Street looking north at Gould, 1992.

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#12 The bridges of Ontario Place, 1990s

The bridges of Ontario Place, 1990s

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#13 Restaurant row on King West.1990s

Restaurant row on King West.1990s

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#14 Now lost public art on Dundas at Yonge before the creation of Yonge-Dundas Square.1990s

Now lost public art on Dundas at Yonge before the creation of Yonge-Dundas Square.1990s

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#15 Silos on the waterfront from Parliament.1990s

Silos on the waterfront from Parliament.1990s

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#16 An almost absurdly verdant view of Queen’s Park.1990s

An almost absurdly verdant view of Queen's Park.1990s

2 Points

Upvote Downvote

#17 View taken from 133 Wilton Street ( the Woodsworth Housing Co-op ) at Jarvis and the Esplanade, 1993

View taken from 133 Wilton Street ( the Woodsworth Housing Co-op ) at Jarvis and the Esplanade, 1993

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#18 South facades of Inglis plant, looking west from Strachan Avenue overpass, 1996.

South facades of Inglis plant, looking west from Strachan Avenue overpass, 1996.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#19 Ontario Stockyards: alley on north side of stock yards, looking west, 1991

Ontario Stockyards: alley on north side of stock yards, looking west, 1991

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#20 72-74 Beverley Street, 1993

72-74 Beverley Street, 1993

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#21 Row of houses in Toronto. Built in the 1890s, the Belmont row houses do share a common heritage with London’s, 1990s

Row of houses in Toronto. Built in the 1890s, the Belmont row houses do share a common heritage with London's, 1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#22 32-34 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1990

32-34 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1990

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#23 Ashbridges Bay, 1994

Ashbridges Bay, 1994

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#24 The rise and fall of Toronto’s zoo Monorail, 1994

The rise and fall of Toronto’s zoo Monorail, 1994

A train leaving Weston station lost power while climbing a steep hill and rolled backwards, achieving speeds of 40 km/h before crashing into a second train that was loading at the station.

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#25 The CBC Broadcast Centre, looking east towards downtown on Front.1990s

The CBC Broadcast Centre, looking east towards downtown on Front.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#26 The Metro Toronto Convention Centre when it was new.1990s

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre when it was new.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#27 The Hyatt Regency hotel on King West.1990s

The Hyatt Regency hotel on King West.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#28 The view up Yonge from Dundas.1990s

The view up Yonge from Dundas.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#29 East on Dundas from what would become Yonge-Dundas Square before the arrival of Citytv.1990s

East on Dundas from what would become Yonge-Dundas Square before the arrival of Citytv.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#30 New housing on the Esplanade.1990s

New housing on the Esplanade.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#31 Captain John’s at the foot of Yonge St.1990s

Captain John's at the foot of Yonge St.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#32 Southeast to the Port Lands over the Yonge and College area. That’s the CBC’s old Jarvis St. antenna on the extreme left.1990s

Southeast to the Port Lands over the Yonge and College area. That's the CBC's old Jarvis St. antenna on the extreme left.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#33 Aerial view near Queen and Church.1990s

Aerial view near Queen and Church.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#34 Looking north up Bay towards the Sutton Place Hotel and Manulife Centre.1990s

Looking north up Bay towards the Sutton Place Hotel and Manulife Centre.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#35 Dreamlike University and College.1990s

Dreamlike University and College.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#36 The University of Toronto campus at College.1990s

The University of Toronto campus at College.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#37 Yonge and Marlborough, looking southwest.1990s

Yonge and Marlborough, looking southwest.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#38 Eaton Centre.1990s

Eaton Centre.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#39 The CN Tower over Chinatown.1990s

The CN Tower over Chinatown.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#40 Pride Parade.1990s

Pride Parade.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#41 Queen Street, looking east.1990s

Queen Street, looking east.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#42 The Royal York.1990s

The Royal York.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#43 Near Yonge and Elm.1990s

Near Yonge and Elm.1990s

1 Point

Upvote Downvote

#44 Ontario Stockyards: central alley looking west – Keele & St. Clair, 1991

Ontario Stockyards: central alley looking west - Keele & St. Clair, 1991

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#45 14 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1990

14 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1990

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#46 9-11 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1990

9-11 Beaconsfield Avenue, 1990

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#47 Alpha Avenue, 1990s

Alpha Avenue, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#48 Alpha Avenue, 1990s

Alpha Avenue, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#49 10 Adelaide Street East, 1990s

10 Adelaide Street East, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#50 The Orchard Park Tavern/ Daysinn Toronto East Beaches at 1684 Queen St East, 1990s

The Orchard Park Tavern/ Daysinn Toronto East Beaches at 1684 Queen St East, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#51 Toronto Island Ferry in 1997

Toronto Island Ferry in 1997

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#52 Toronto Island Ferry in 1997

Toronto Island Ferry in 1997

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#53 Pacific Western Transportation operated Airport runs in the mid 1990’s by these ex-Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses.

Pacific Western Transportation operated Airport runs in the mid 1990's by these ex-Pioneer Valley Transit Authority buses.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#54 Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Dart) bus in Toronto on a American Public Transit Association convention in 1998 along with other demonstrator buses.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (Dart) bus in Toronto on a American Public Transit Association convention in 1998 along with other demonstrator buses.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#55 St. Basil the Great College School (former Weston Road building), built by the Basilian Fathers now used as a community Centre, 1990s

St. Basil the Great College School (former Weston Road building), built by the Basilian Fathers now used as a community Centre, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#56 Bendale Business and Technical Institute (Vocational and Secondary), 1990s

Bendale Business and Technical Institute (Vocational and Secondary), 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#57 Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School, 1990s

Father Henry Carr Catholic Secondary School, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#58 West Park Secondary School, 1990s

West Park Secondary School, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#59 Regina Pacis Catholic High School, 1990s

Regina Pacis Catholic High School, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#60 Toronto has a lot of tiny houses scattered around the city on small streets, backyards and lane-ways. This one is at #9 Lobb Avenue between Crawford & Shaw, north of Queen street west, 1990s

Toronto has a lot of tiny houses scattered around the city on small streets, backyards and lane-ways. This one is at #9 Lobb Avenue between Crawford & Shaw, north of Queen street west, 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#61 Hansen cartage Mill st., 1990s

Hansen cartage Mill st., 1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#62 Looking over the future site of Metro Hall to King from Wellington.1990s

Looking over the future site of Metro Hall to King from Wellington.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#63 Mural on the side of Wayne Gretzky’s sports bar.1990s

Mural on the side of Wayne Gretzky's sports bar.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#64 Down Bay to City Hall and the Financial District.1990s

Down Bay to City Hall and the Financial District.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#65 The main gates to the Distillery at Mill and Trinity streets.1990s

The main gates to the Distillery at Mill and Trinity streets.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#66 Looking east across the Distillery from Parliament.1990s

Looking east across the Distillery from Parliament.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#67 The roof of Scotia Plaza from the top of Commerce Court.1990s

The roof of Scotia Plaza from the top of Commerce Court.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#68 Yonge and Hillsdale (now condos).1990s

Yonge and Hillsdale (now condos).1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#69 Canadian Tire at Yonge and Davenport, pre-condos.1990s

Canadian Tire at Yonge and Davenport, pre-condos.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#70 Near Avenue and Davenport.1990s

Near Avenue and Davenport.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#71 Skyline in 1992.

Skyline in 1992.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#72 New Terminal at Pearson Airport.1990s

New Terminal at Pearson Airport.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#73 Chinatown.1990s

Chinatown.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#74 Doug Gilmour as a Maple Leaf,1990s

Doug Gilmour as a Maple Leaf,1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#75 Certainly not as dense in the core, the skyline in 1994.

Certainly not as dense in the core, the skyline in 1994.

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#76 From the CN Tower.1990s

From the CN Tower.1990s

0 Points

Upvote Downvote

#77 Corner of Heath st. And Yonge st. In the early sixties this was Webb’s Pharmacy, 1990s

Corner of Heath st. And Yonge st. In the early sixties this was Webb’s Pharmacy, 1990s

-1 Points

Upvote Downvote

Written by Jacob Aberto

Sincere, friendly, curious, ambitious, enthusiast. I'm a content crafter and social media expert. I love Classic Movies because their dialogue, scenery and stories are awesome.

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

64 Comments

Sort by

Sean Foster says:

February 17, 2024 at 08:18 Copy Link of a Comment

Ah yes restaurant row on king, my only memory of that place is going for dinner at Kit Kat and my buddy noticing things moving on the wall.

It was dozens of roaches

0

Reply
Lily Harris says:

February 17, 2024 at 08:18 Copy Link of a Comment

Photo of the Uptown Theatre is from the late 70s, not the 90s.

0

Reply
- Doctor Detective says:
  
  February 17, 2024 at 08:38 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  Probably 1978. One of several with dubious dating.
  
  0
  
  Reply
Armin Salem says:

February 17, 2024 at 08:18 Copy Link of a Comment

This city used to be uglier and grayer that’s for sure. We’ve gone a long way it making it visually pleasant across the board.

0

Reply
- Silver Swan says:
  
  February 17, 2024 at 08:37 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  Part of that is older consumer grade film and cameras used for those photos. Some of those areas had much more colour in real life.
  
  0
  
  Reply
- Mystic Moose says:
  
  February 17, 2024 at 08:37 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  It really wasn’t.
  
  0
  
  Reply
Rail Road Man says:

February 17, 2024 at 08:19 Copy Link of a Comment

Much has changed (yonge street for example), however the city only gained say, 50 condos.

0

Reply
Lord LoserPants says:

February 17, 2024 at 08:21 Copy Link of a Comment

Shame they couldn’t retain much of the greenery close to the harbourfront. That picture with the royal York hotel in the background looked really nice.

0

Reply
- Doctor Doofus says:
  
  February 17, 2024 at 08:36 Copy Link of a Comment
  
  At the time many people argued that the land should be set aside as parkland. It is generally all disused industrial areas. But that all went south once City Place began going up on the CN lands.
  
  0
  
  Reply

Load more comments

Next post

Back to Top

Close Add post

Share this Post 🥺

Please take a moment to share this content. Your support is greatly appreciated! 🙌🙏