Categories: Lifestyle

This luxurious Toronto landmark dates back to the 1800s

Image via Jack Landau

When I lived in the east end of Toronto, one of my most visited and photographed spots was The Broadview Hotel. This gorgeous structure serves as a restaurant, a hotel, and a venue, and has a history dating back to the 1800s. Sitting right at the corner of Queen Street East and Broadview, the hotel is easy to get to and worth the visit, whether you’re a newbie or a frequent flyer like me.

The history of The Broadview Hotel

“The Broadview Hotel was built in 1891 by wealthy serial entrepreneur Archibald Dingman. Having amassed a considerable fortune in the soap trade, Archibald was searching for a sound investment for his money,” states The Broadview Hotel.

The story continues that as the east end of Toronto continued to grow in popularity, Dingman saw the spot as a golden real estate opportunity, thus building Dingman Hall. The project only took him $25,000 to build.

“Its grand, imposing Romanesque-style architecture and glamorous upper assembly halls made it an instant iconic landmark, and it became a prominent social gathering spot for an astonishing array of Torontonians, from politicians to athletic clubs to the Canadian Order of Odd Fellows, among others,” continues The Broadview Hotel.

The building was first sold in 1907, where it became The New Broadview Hotel. And while that name is pretty similar to the one it has today, there were many other renditions as ownership changed over the years.

During the 1930s, the spot was called Lincoln Hotel, then switched back to its original name in the ’40s. In the 1970s, the hotel was changed to Jilly’s, serving as “the east end’s most notorious landmark for almost three decades.”

The Broadview Hotel today

Streetcar Developments took over in 2014, making the iconic location what it is today.

The Broadview boasts 58 boutique rooms, with some even featuring outdoor terraces to lounge on. You don’t need to book a room to visit the Broadview, though.

There are two restaurants on site, The Rooftop and The Broadview Bistro + Bar. The Rooftop, one of my favourite spots in the city, has one of the best views of Toronto, and is a perfect place to grab a drink and watch the sun go down in the summer.

The bistro has a little of everything, from brunch and coffee to a selection of carefully crafted cocktails.

But don’t take my word for it, Toronto. Go visit this amazing (and historic) place and see for yourself.