Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Palais Royale

Photo contributed by the Palais Royale - Posted August, 2015

Photo Source - Wikipedia

Located on Lake Shore Boulevard West at the south end of the pedestrian bridge that begins at the corner of King Street and Queen Street, this 1985 Toronto Historical Board plaque was lost in the 2005 renovations. This photo of the plaque was recently found in the building.

Coordinates: 43.636700 -79.447192

This building stands at the eastern end of the former Sunnyside Amusement Park. It was opened in 1922 as both a dance hall and Walter Dean's boat factory. Remodelled in 1924 and 1928, it housed various nightclubs and restaurants until 1932 when it was purchased by two Sunnyside concessionnaires, Bill Cuthbert and George Deller. It became one of the most famous of Toronto's dance halls attracting the big band sounds of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Count Basie and Bert Niosi. The Palais Royale, with the bathing pavilion escaped the demolition of Sunnyside in 1955 and survives as a dance hall, leased from the City of Toronto, by the Polish National Union.

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> Posted September 10, 2016
Love the history of the Palais Royale. I use to think the Palace Pier and the Palais Royale were the same place until today when I found out they weren't. My in-laws use to talk about going dancing at the Palais Royale and they loved the big band music there. Thanks so much for the history lesson.
Liz Watkins [email protected]

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