An exploration of the past, present and future of a Toronto landmark

AboutIn 2030, College Park will celebrate a century since it first opened its doors as a beacon of Art Moderne architecture and Art Deco interior design in Toronto.

In anticipation of this major milestone, GWL Realty Advisors is launching College Park 100 – a website and event series dedicated to mining the rich history of the property, as we contemplate what a reimagined, revitalized College Park could look like over the next century.

Since its inception in 1930, College Park has stood as an architectural icon, designed by the renowned Montreal architects Ross & Macdonald. Originally intended to be an ambitious 38-storey retail landmark, the project was scaled back to account for structural challenges and the economic pressures of the Great Depression. Despite these setbacks, College Park remains a significant piece of Toronto’s architectural heritage.

College Park 100 aims to revisit the original vision of Ross & Macdonald and explore the best paths forward towards a more vibrant future, addressing

contemporary challenges of housing, affordability, mobility, public space and programming, and ensuring College Park succeeds as a vital landmark in our city.

Central to College Park 100 is fostering public participation. This website is intended to keep visitors informed with project updates and key details, as well as multimedia presentations sharing our latest thinking. An events series featuring lectures, open houses and town halls will be launched to gather input and ideas, while sharing our own.

Visit the timeline below for more information and check back frequently for updates, posts and videos as this process evolves.

Let’s shape the next century of an iconic landmark together.

HistoryThe history of College Park is a story of grand ambitions and unrealized potential.

Black and white photo of a classical-style building with vintage cars on the street

Archives of Ontario

Black and white photo of five people standing on a stage and a person below stage level seated at an organ

Archives of Ontario

Black and white photo of a staircase with a mid-century modern design

Archives of Ontario

Black and white photo of an art deco lobby with ornate metalwork above the doors

Archives of Ontario

Black and white photo of a concert hall with a grand piano and pianist on stage and a seated audience

Archives of Ontario

Black and white photo of people in formal attire seated and standing in a large dining room

Archives of Ontario

100 YEARS 1930 – 2030

An icon of Art Moderne architecture and Art Deco interior design since 1930, College Park was originally conceived as an opulent retail landmark. The Great Depression forced a scaling back of renowned architects Ross & Macdonald’s original wedding cake design, but it was nonetheless the second largest department store in North America at the time.

The Tyndall limestone building was known as Eaton’s College Street until 1977 when the Eaton’s Centre opened at Yonge and Dundas. The retailer abandoned the building to a mishmash of uses, and the building’s crown jewel, the seventh-floor Eaton Auditorium, fell into disrepair. Designed by Jacques Carlu, it hosted renowned performers such as Billie Holiday and Duke Ellington. When GWL Realty Advisors took over College Park in 2000, the seventh floor was restored to its former glory and reopened in 2003 as The Carlu.

Meet the team

Spearheaded by GWL Realty Advisors (GWLRA), College Park 100 benefits from a team of Canada’s leading designers, planners, heritage experts and thinkers.

The team will work alongside an extensive group of stakeholders, including the public and city staff, to explore the future potential of the site.

Project Timeline

Ongoing

Pre-Consultation with City of Toronto

February 2025

College Park 100 Launch

Check back for more lectures and opportunities to engage

Frequently Asked Questions