“Dim the lights! Call for silence in the house! Cue the projector! Aaaaand …Go!!”

For film aficionados, the experience of seeing a movie on the big screen is priceless. While modern-day multi-plexes and their high-tech viewing environments can be an awesome way to see a film, embracing the romance of the old-fashioned theatre in a venue that captures the allure of the genre with architectural touches and history is really priceless.

One of the more interesting theatres that has survived into the modern era is the Regent Theatre. Located at 551 Mount Pleasant Road, this nugget of Toronto’s cinematic history opened in 1927. This was one of many entertainment venues in the city during the era designed by famed architect Murray Brown.

The Regent Theatre was originally called The Belsize and later The Crest, until it re-opened as the Regent. It was part of the iconic Famous Players chain and played a prominent role in cinematic history in Canada – both as a venue and for the type of content it offered patrons.

At its advent in 1927, the single-screen Regent had all the hallmarks of the elegance of old-time theatre: opulent lobby, leather seats and venetian viewing boxes. Both the theatre’s interior and exterior were something to see, with arches, decorative plaster and other impressive touches through the lobby and viewing area. The exterior façade bears Roman arches and stone work that really gave the theatre the sense of grandeur.

The Regent Theatre has evolved through many different owners and appearances throughout the years and is – in many ways – symbolic of the gentrification of the neighbourhood itself. It started out as a silent movie house, but evolved and expanded over the generations, through being a live performance theatre for a few decades and then eventually returning to its motion picture roots.

Today, the Regent hosts regular screenings of a wide range of films; we find the viewing experience is uniquely enjoyable within the framework of such a historic building. Live theatre, music and other special events happen regularly as well, keeping content fresh and engaging. It makes for the perfect family outing on a Friday night or a rainy Sunday afternoon!

Check out these interesting posts about the Regent Theatre’s history, along with some cool photos of this theatre over the years: “Toronto’s old movie theatres—the Regent (the Belsize, the Crest)” and “The Cinematic Center of Davisville Village: An examination of the Regent Theatre”.

In May 2024, the Toronto Star posted an article about the Regent Theatre, explaining that a theatre group from Newfoundland has applied to renovate and expand it into a more modern theatre and arts centre. The initial proposal to the Committee of Adjustment was denied, but there is a meeting scheduled for mid-June at the Ontario Land Tribunal with groups both for and against the renovating the heritage building.

Stay tuned for more updates!

Meanwhile, you can visit their website to see what’s playing!

The Regent Theatre
551 Mt Pleasant Rd,
Toronto, ON M4S 2M5
Phone: (416) 480-9884

I Love Davisville Village!

Whether the Regent is renovated and expanded or not, wouldn’t it be a great amenity to have in your neighbourhood, just a short stroll from your home base? Allow us to introduce a home we sold on nearby Belsize Drive!

We call it: An Elegant Tudor On Belsize At Bayview In Family-Friendly Davisville Village – NOW SOLD!

415 Belsize Drive is situated in the highly-coveted enclave of Davisville Village, which – being in the centre of the city – boasts a WalkScore of 97 out of 100! Located 4 blocks south of Eglinton East (and the new Leaside LRT stop) and 10 houses west of Bayview Avenue, this quality renovated detached residence is literally steps to South Bayview’s urban village high street.

Here’s an ‘unpack and enjoy’ residence, this 3bed, 2bath heart-grabber offers the intangible beauty of scale, proportion and light in a Triple AAA location. It boasts a finished basement, an outbuilding with extra indoor square footage, and front pad parking. If this is your dream home, we can help you find one just like it!

It was a pleasure to sell this stunning home just a few blocks away.  It was an ideal contemporary sanctuary for the busy urban family, so we called it:  Wonder On Walder Near Coveted Bayview & Eglinton.

We also sold this upgraded residence on Cleveland Street. We called it:  Classic On Cleveland Street in Davisville Village!

Want to have someone on your side?

Since 1989, I’ve steered my career through a real estate market crash and burn; survived a slow painful cross-country recession; completed an M.E.S. graduate degree from York University called ‘Planning Housing Environments’; executed the concept, sales & marketing of multiple new condo and vintage loft conversions; and guided hundreds of clients through the purchase and sale of hundreds of freehold and condominium dwellings across the original City of Toronto. From a gritty port industrial city into a glittering post-industrial global centre, I’ve navigated the ebbs and flows of a property market as a consistent Top Producer. And I remain as passionate about it today as when I started.

We’d love to introduce our services to you.

Serving first and second-time Buyers, relocations, renovators, and those building their long-term property portfolios, our mandate is to help clients choose the property that will realize the highest future return on their investment while ensuring the property best serves their practical needs and their dream of “Home” during their ownership.

Are you considering selling? We welcome providing you with a comprehensive assessment free of charge, including determining your Buyer profile, ways to optimize your return on investment, and tailoring the listing process to suit your circumstances. Check out How Urbaneer’s Custom Marketing Program Sold This Authentic Broadview Loft In Riverside to learn more about what we do!

Consider letting Urbaneer guide you through your Buying or Selling process, without pressure, or hassle.

We are here to help!

Thanks for reading!

-The Urbaneer Team

Steven Fudge, Sales Representative
& The Innovative Urbaneer Team
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 322-800

– we’re here to earn your trust, then your business –

Celebrating Thirty-Four Years As A Top-Producing Toronto Realtor

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*Love Canadian Housing? Check out Steve’s University Student Mentorship site called Canadian Real Estate, Housing & Home which focuses on architecture, landscape, design, products, and real estate in Canada!