87 Front St. E. (Front & Jarvis)
On the corner of Market Street, this LCBO is housed in a red-brick
building originally erected for grain traders Edward Leadley & Co.
in 1858. In its heyday, because of its proximity to the harbour, the
neighbourhood served as Toronto’s commercial hub; Market Street
was home to a hotel and several office buildings, including a six-storey
one considered a high-rise when it was built at the turn of the 20th
century. Today, key architectural features of the restored Leadley
building – such as exposed brick walls and mullioned windows –
are integrated into the modern interior, which extends south into a
neighbouring building. This 7,000-square-foot LCBO location carries
over 3,200 brands and is just steps from St. Lawrence Market and a
short walk from Union Station.111 St. Clair Ave. W. (St. Clair & Avenue)
Opened in 2015, this LCBO location occupies the ground floor of the
former Imperial Oil headquarters, a landmark 1957 building whose
design was originally a contender for Toronto’s new city hall. Back in the
day, the top floor of the 21-storey structure was the highest point in
Toronto and, on clear days, offered views of the spray from Niagara
Falls across Lake Ontario. Built using welded-steel framing (vs. riveted,
which would have subjected local residents to increased construction
noise), Imperial Plaza, as it’s now known, was the largest all-welded
steel-frame building in the world. Still boasting the lobby’s original
marble walls and acclaimed artist R. York Wilson’s Story of Oil mural,
this bright, 3,800-square-foot LCBO features over 1,000 brands,
a dedicated Vintages section, a tasting bar and 50 underground
parking spots.
49 Spadina Ave. (Spadina & Front)
Our newest flagship store, this LCBO opened last July in a former
warehouse built in 1913 for the Steele Briggs Seed Company.
The handsome five-storey red-brick structure, also known as the
Clarence Square Building, sat in an area dominated by railroads
and had its own siding for efficient shipping; the train tracks are
still visible on the building’s south side. Today, this almost-11,000-
square-foot store carries almost 2,000 brands and features a large
Vintages section, a tasting bar, and a same-day pickup counter for
online orders. The original wooden support beams were integrated into
the design, adding a heritage note to the contemporary interior.