South view of the Coliseum. At the time of construction, the Coliseum was reputed to be the largest building of its type under a single roof in the world. The design of the Coliseum combines the classical forms, monumental scale, spatial planning and strict symmetry associated with Beaux Arts stylistic principles. The building, constructed of steel and yellow brick with brick, stone and metal detailing features a long two-story rectangular plan. A centre block with round-arched parapets is flanked by a series of towers and flat-roofed pavilions.  In the early 1960s, the twin towers were removed from the south elevation and replaced with a false front with metal cladding.*

Since 1922, the Arena housed inside the Coliseum has proven to be an ideal venue for the display of various types of livestock, for equestrian competitions as well as for other forms of entertainment, such as the R.C.M.P. Musical Ride.

During the Second World War, the Coliseum was used as a Manning Depot by the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Date: 1925

Origin: CNE Archives

Collection Number: C16-FPA52901

Source: *Toronto Historical Board, “Property Research Summary,” 1992.