Massey Hall benefits from developer’s land donation

[charlene]

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/...-land-donation
Donovan VincentStaff Reporter

Massey Hall is a Toronto landmark with great acoustics and an eye-popping roster of musicians who’ve performed there, yet if there’s one shortcoming it’s the tight confines.

But a land donation of about 5,000 square feet to the 118-year-old concert venue on Victoria St., which has seen the likes of Miles Davis, Gordon Lightfoot and Dizzy Gillespie, could ease that cramped feeling significantly, says Massey Hall’s CEO.

On Monday, Toronto’s MOD Developments Inc. announced the purchase of 197-201 Yonge St., the theatre block downtown across from the Eaton Centre.

The 20,000-square-foot site includes the historically designated Canadian Bank of Commerce Building, vacant since 1987. MOD plans to restore the four-storey portion of the bank and erect a 60-storey development behind it.

Included in MOD’s plans is donating a portion of the large site that fronts on Victoria St. to Massey Hall.

“We’re thrilled,’’ said Massey Hall and Roy Thomson CEO Charles Cutts, who said that although no firm decisions have been made, the extra space could be used to expand patron amenities.

“The building is very tight in terms of washroom or bar space, or areas for people to congregate. At the mezzanine and gallery level it’s very difficult, because essentially the only space is the hall itself,’’ Cutts said.

There could also be opportunities for a proper loading dock, because at present all of the shows at Massey Hall are loaded in the front doors, which though doable is very difficult, Cutts added.

[charlene]

http://www.680news.com/news/local/ar...hall-expansion

and http://citysightseeingtoronto.com/blog/massey-hall/

Massey Hall

January 26, 2012 7:54 pm

Seeking history and entertainment in one location? Then Massey Hall is the place to go!

Massey Hall is a concert venue located in downtown Toronto. Designed by Sidney Badgley and completed in 1894, its purpose was to provide a meeting place where Toronto natives could enjoy non-religious music. A designated National Historic Site of Canada since 1981, this structure is one of the most beautiful historic landmarks in the city.

Massey Hall had its fire escapes replaced after the Great Toronto Fire of 1904. In 1917 the nearby Albert Building was connected to Massey Hall’s main structure in order to provide extra space for offices and dressing rooms. In 1933 the building underwent major renovations that included the reduction of seating from 3,500 seats down to 2,765, the creation of a new lounge, the enlarging of the ground entrance, the replacing of wood on the stairs with stone and steel and a the introduction of a new colour scheme for the entire building. In 1948 concrete was added under the stage and ground floor seating to ease fire safety concerns. In 1955 plaster began to fall from the ceiling forcing the entire ceiling to be redone. In 1994 the basement was redone to include a bar as prior to 1994 alcohol was not permitted on the premises. In 2001 a lift was installed which allows access from the main floor to the lower level.

Massey Hall is also well-known for some of the major artists who have graced its stage. Some famous artists have included Rush, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Young, Ronnie Hawkins, The Pixies, Diana Krall, Eddie Vedder, Death Cab For Cutie, Arcade Fire, Tori Amos, Feist, Wilco, Paul Simon, Genesis, Sarah McLachlan, John Mellencamp, Heart, K’naan, Noel Gallagher, Blue Rodeo and Elvis Costello.

Today Massey Hall is operated by the same corporation as Roy Thomson Hall, which is another popular Toronto concert venue. Visitors can catch great musical and comedic acts as well as take a 60 minute tour of the building! Tours are $7 per person and groups of 10 or more must be booked no less than 10 days in advance. Call the Volunteer Office at (416) 593-4822 ext. 322. Box office hours are 12pm to show time on performance days only. Massey Hall is located at 178 Victoria St and is close to Dundas and Queen subway stations.

[charlene]

proposal of tower between the two old bank buildings. keeping the facades that face Yonge St.http://www.blogto.com/city/2012/02/a...y_tower_condo/

[Cathy]

I think it's too tall. It clashes with the rest of the buiildings. Cut it in half, and it would fit in.

Cathy