What Richmond Street used to look like in Toronto

If you're heading down Richmond Street this week, you might notice that the area is a little busier than usual, as the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) brings screenings, events, and plenty of film industry activity to the area, including at Scotiabank Theatre. 

Although the street is home to endless restaurants, bars, offices, entertainment venues, and residential towers today, it wasn't too long ago that the once-quiet stretch was home to major religious institutions and two-storey residences. 

By the late 19th and early 2oth centuries, however, factories, warehouses, and garment companies became a defining part of the area, leaving behind many of the historically significant, industrial buildings that still stand today. 

As manufacturing declined in the latter half of the 20th century, Richmond Street entered yet another period of change, with former industrial spaces finding new life as offices, studios, galleries, and restaurants. 

Here's a look back at what Richmond Street and the surrounding area looked like throughout the 20th century. 

Richmond Street West at Bay Street in 1911. 

Bay and Richmond Streets, northeast corner in 1911.

Fire on the south side of Richmond Street near Bathurst Street in 1914.

Richmond Street West, look west from Bay Street in 1925. 

Richmond and Bay, at the site of the new Simpson store in 1928. 

94 to 120 Richmond Street in 1929. 

163-165 Richmond St. W. in 1930. 

151-153 Richmond St. W. in 1930. 

Victory Building on Richmond Street West in 1936. 

Corner of Spadina Avenue and Richmond Street, looking southwest in 1972. 

Corner of Jarvis Street and Richmond Street, looking west in 1972. 

Corner of Ontario Street and Richmond Street East, looking northeast in 1972. 

Corner of Spadina Avenue and Richmond Street, looking west in 1972. 

Corner of Church Street and Richmond Street, looking northwest in 1972. 

Corner of Spadina Avenue and Richmond Street, looking east in 1972. 

Corner of John Street and Richmond Street, looking southeast in 1972. 

Corner of Church Street and Richmond Street, looking southeast in 1972. 

View of Confederation Life Building, looking west at Richmond and Victoria Streets in 1973. 

Richmond Street West near Widmer Street in 1973. 

Jarvis Street at Richmond Street, looking north in the 1980s. 

Richmond Street, looking east to Jarvis Street in the 1980s.

Confederation Life Building, view of Richmond Street East and Victoria Street in 1980. 

Richmond Street, looking west from Simpson's, between 1980 and 1990. 

Bathurst looking north to Richmond, sometime between 1983 and 1985. 

Richmond Street, looking west from Jarvis Street, sometime between 1986 and 1991. 

Richmond Street West, south side, Bay Street to Yonge Street in 1987. 

Richmond Street West, looking west to Peter Street in 1990. 

Richmond Street West, looking west to Peter Street in 1990. 

Richmond Street West, looking west to Peter Street in 1990.