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Opened in 1932, Maple Leaf Gardens was the home rink for the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team — as well as a variety of other teams and events — until it closed in 1999. A prominent fixture on Carlton Street located just east of Yonge, the Gardens’ marquee projects out over the entrance to the historic arena. The 33-metre-long rectangular white box displays backlit text on three sides and spans the full depth of the sidewalk, providing a large canopy for pedestrians below. The elaborate buff brick Art Deco building was rehabilitated in 2012, converting the purpose-built arena to serve new uses for Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and Loblaws grocery store. As a result, the projecting marquee was restored to align with the marquee’s historic appearance from the 1930s to 1960s and incorporates the original canopy structure and some visible elements.

Tasked with the conservation work, research was conducted on the sign’s history, including the original architectural drawings. The restored canopy is just one of three incarnations of the sign and its appearance. The first version was designed by architects Ross and Macdonald in 1931 which included a simple steel frame roof structure hung on steel rods held in place by anchor hooks embedded into cast concrete floor slabs above. The edges of the deck were clad in stepped metal bands and the underside edged with monel metal drops which held glass panes between. The ceiling was lit with circular opal glass pucks laid out in a diamond pattern. Soon after construction a backlit opal glass parapet was added above to display adjustable text signage mainly showing the words “Maple Leaf Gardens” and any additional event information. By the 1970s, the sign was renovated with the parapet and canopy edge overclad in stainless steel and blue metal panels, the text changed to a more modern sans-serif type face, and incandescent lighting replaced with fluorescent tubes. The preliminary dismantling of the marquee before the 2012 renovation revealed that the steel structure of the original sign was still largely intact and repairable, along with ghosting of lost elements that could be referenced for the restored canopy.

Once a full historical analysis of the sign was completed, a rehabilitation plan was developed to reinstate most of the design features of the original flat canopy and subsequent parapet signage. Additionally, the metal drops were replicated in aluminum and clear laminated glass panels installed between, a new backlit shatterproof polycarbonate parapet sign which reflected the historic serif font back when the Maple Leaf Gardens operated as a hockey arena, and the canopy lighting was improved to reference the original fixtures.

edited by matt for length

Text by Scott Weir, edited by Kurt Kraler

A prominent fixture on Carlton Street located just east of Yonge Street, the Maple Leaf Gardens marquee projects out over the entrance to the historic arena often referred to as a 'cathedral of hockey' known for its prominent vaulted roof. The arena played host to the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team and several high profile concerts including Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The 33m long rectangular white box displays backlit text on three sides and spans the full depth of the sidewalk, providing a large canopy for pedestrians below. The elaborate buff brick art deco style building was rehabilitated in 2012, converting the purpose built arena to serve new uses for Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) and Loblaws grocery store. As a result, the projecting marquee was restored to align with the marquee’s historic appearance from the 1930’s to 1960’s and incorporates the original canopy structure and some visible elements.

Tasked with the conservation work, ERA Architects researched the sign throughout its history including the original architectural drawings and photos from the 1930’s through to the site’s closure in 1999, followed by a condition assessment of the marquee itself. The restored canopy is just one of three incarnations of the sign and its appearance.

The first version was designed by architects Ross and Macdonald in 1931 which included a simple steel frame roof structure hung on steel rods held in place by anchor hooks embedded into cast concrete floor slabs above. The edges of the deck were clad in stepped metal bands and the underside edged with monel metal drops which held glass panes between. The ceiling was lit with circular opal glass pucks laid out in a diamond pattern. Soon after construction a backlit opal glass parapet was added above to display adjustable text signage mainly showing the words “Maple Leaf Gardens” and any additional event information. By the 1970’s the sign was renovated with the parapet and canopy edge overclad in stainless steel and blue metal panels, the text changed to a more modern sans-serif type face, and incandescent lighting replaced with fluorescent tubes. The preliminary dismantling of the marquee before the 2012 renovation revealed that the steel structure of the original sign was still largely intact and repairable, along with ghosting of lost elements that could be referenced for the restored canopy.

Once a full historical analysis of the sign was completed, a rehabilitation plan was developed to reinstate most of the design features of the original flat canopy and subsequent parapet signage. Additionally, the metal drops were replicated in aluminum and clear laminated glass panels installed between, a new backlit shatterproof polycarbonate parapet sign which reflected the historic serif font back when the Maple Leaf Gardens operated as a hockey arena, and the canopy lighting was improved to reference the original fixtures.