Building Tour: Massey Hall

Our final in-person building tour of the 2023 season is here with a behind-the-scenes tour of a recently restored Toronto cultural landmark: the legendary Massey Hall.

Opened in 1894, Massey Hall has been at the epicentre of Toronto’s music scene for over a century, playing host to both national and international performers. With the goal of ensuring the hall continues to play this role for decades to come, the building has recently completed a multi-year revitalization—the most significant in the 127-year history of the venue—including a full exterior and interior renovation of the historic hall along with a new addition that unified it to become the Allied Music Centre. The modernization honours the hall’s legacy while enhancing acoustics, improving seating, upgrading audio-visual infrastructure, and creating performance support spaces that will sustain Massey Hall into the future.

The project features three new primary elements: an extensive renovation and restoration of the heritage architecture; a seven-storey addition to the south that includes new venues; and new cantilevered exterior walkways—called passarelles—along the east and west sides of the venue. Renewed, Massey Hall and the Allied Music Centre will continue to nurture established and emerging talent and connect the community to music and artistic performances.

During this tour attendees will have the opportunity to visit the historic hall, learn about the extensive repair and restoration work (including the uncovering of previously boarded up stained glass windows), as well as visit the new seven-story addition.

Speakers

• Sharon Vattay, Principal, GBCA
• Graham Baxter, Senior Associate, KPMB Architects

TSA Member Priority Access: This tour is 50% off for TSA Members using the promo code found in the August 16 TSA Bulletin. TSA Members also receive early access to tickets on August 16 at 9:00 AM. Spots remaining will then be made available to the public on August 29 at 9:00 AM. Not a member yet? You can join the TSA and get access to free, discounted, and exclusive member programming by registering online using this link.

About this Project

Opened in 1894 and designed by architect Sidney Badgley, Massey Hall was Toronto’s first purpose-built hall devoted to musical performances–a function it continues to play to this day. Commissioned by Hart A. Massey as a memorial to his eldest son, the hall has played vital-role in supporting the cultural development of the city including a century-long association with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. Its interior hall, elaborately decorated in the Moorish Revival style, is one of the city’s most recognizable interiors and the hall has long been praised for its acoustic qualities.

In 1981, recognizing both its cultural and architectural importance, the building was designated a National Historic Site of Canada. In 2013, after over a century of service, Massey Hall began a multi-year revitalization project that aimed to restore many of its heritage qualities while ensuring it can continue to meet the needs of musicians and audiences now and in the future.

Learn more about Massey Hall’s heritage

Learn more about the renovation

About TSA Building Tours 

Designed for architects by architects, the TSA Building Tours offer unique behind-the-scenes access to recently completed or under construction buildings across the GTA. Led by the team behind their design, these tours provide an opportunity to hear the stories behind the architecture and learn about the challenges and successes in ideating and realizing the vision for the building. 

TSA Building Tours are made possible thanks to the generous support of STEIN + REGENCY.