Maple Leaf Gardens

Welcome to the northwest corner of Carlton and Church Street in downtown Toronto, where stands a mighty, yellow-brick fortress known to generations as the Cathedral of Hockey: Maple Leaf Gardens. [15-17] Constructed during the…

Stepping through the historic marquee entrance, you find yourself inside a sprawling, modern Loblaws grocery store, a surreal transformation of the former arena floor. While the bustling aisles of fresh produce and canned goods…

Continuing your exploration of the main floor, direct your attention to the expansive eastern wall. Here, the developers have crafted a brilliant artistic homage to the arena's past using the building's original seating. …

As you transition towards the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) Athletic Centre located within the upper levels of the building, you will pass through a series of corridors that serve as a brilliant photographic museum.…

Ascending to the third floor, you arrive at a breathtaking architectural marvel: a pristine, full-sized hockey rink suspended directly beneath the iconic, arched roof of Maple Leaf Gardens. Now known as the Mattamy Athletic…

Tucked away among the exhibits on the upper floors is one of the most fascinating and mysterious artifacts recovered during the building's massive renovation: the Conn Smythe Time Capsule. When the original founder and owner,…

As we walk these halls, it is impossible to ignore the complex, often polarizing figures who ruled Maple Leaf Gardens with absolute authority. The building's original patriarch, Major Conn Smythe, was a demanding, patriotic…

As our tour of Maple Leaf Gardens concludes, take a moment to stand outside on Carlton Street and look up at the illuminated marquee and the sturdy, yellow-brick facade. This building's survival is nothing short of miraculous. …