Coolness may be subjective, but when Vogue Magazine set out to map the world’s coolest neighbourhoods several years ago, one Toronto neighbourhood made a big impression.

The iconic fashion glossy gave the number-two spot to Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood, citing its preponderance of “indie patisseries, homegrown labels, and hidden-from-view galleries” among the reasons.

To see how this neighbourhood stretching from Bathurst to Gladstone along Queen Street West has changed over the years, check out this then-and-now photo tour of City of Toronto archival photos matched up with BuzzBuzzNews photographer James Bombales’ contemporary shots.

It’s safe to say the number of “patisseries” has likely increased over the years.

Queen Street West and Bathurst Street, 1980s

Queen Street West and Manning Avenue, 1900

Queen Street West and Gore Vale Road, 1983

Trinity Bellwoods Park Gates, 1913

The Candy Factory Lofts, 1983

Toronto Public Library, Queen and Lisgar Branch, 1909

Peel Avenue, North of Queen Street West and Gladstone Avenue, 1949

Queen Street and Lansdowne Avenue, 1946

Queen Street West and King Street (Roncesvalles), 1967

Queen Street West and King Street West looking east (Roncesvalles), 1967

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