Guild Park's Greek Theatre (1982) Commemorative Plaque
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Resource ID
12236
Access
Open
Address
201 Guildwood Pkwy, Scarborough, ON M1E, Canada
Credit Line
Heritage Toronto
Date of Creation
2025
Historical Themes
Program Category
Rights
Heritage Toronto
Time Period
Caption
Guild Park's Greek Theatre (1982) Commemorative Plaque
Description
This landmark outdoor stage is built of marble columns and arches from the Bank of Toronto
building, which stood in downtown Toronto for more than 50 years.
The bank’s Beaux-Arts design, inspired by the Paris Stock Exchange, was created by renowned US
architects Carrère & Hastings. Toronto architect Eustace G. Bird was the local associate.
Construction began shortly after Carrère & Hastings completed one of its best-known designs, the
main branch of the New York Public Library.
Opened in 1913, the building was the headquarters of the Bank of Toronto and later Toronto-Dominion
Bank, which expanded rapidly in the 1950s and soon outgrew the 52-year-old space. Demolition
started in 1965, and philanthropists Rosa and Spencer Clark salvaged tonnes of marble from the
building’s façade.
The Clarks later commissioned Canadian architect Ron Thom, drama critic Herbert Whittaker, and
stonemason Arthur Hibberd to reuse the fragments of the Bank of Toronto. They created this
performance stage, which opened in 1982 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Clarks’ Guild of
All Arts.
The theatre hosts arts festivals, begun by the Guild Renaissance Group, and live events by the Dora
Award-winning Guild Festival Theatre, launched in 2011
by artistic director Sten Eirik. It is also a popular wedding and filming location.