Toronto's iconic Massey Hall has been transformed for a new century through a comprehensive renovation by KPMB Architects, breathing fresh life into the 129-year-old venue while preserving its historic character. Located at the corner of Shuter and Victoria Streets, the red-brick facade maintains the dignity of its 19th-century origins, but inside, the air now hums with modern energy as the venue reopens as the Allied Music Centre.
The ambitious project encompassed a complete renovation of the interior, meticulous restoration of the exterior, and the addition of a striking 7-story glass and steel tower that houses rehearsal rooms, recording studios, and gathering spaces in harmony with the historic venue. Originally commissioned in 1894 by industrialist and philanthropist Hart Massey as a secular meeting place, the hall was designed by architect Sidney Badgley with a Palladian exterior and Moorish Revival interior that has hosted countless legendary performances.
KPMB's design team, led by founding partner Marianne McKenna alongside founding principal Chris Couse and senior associate Graham Baxter, worked with restoration consultants from GBCA Architects to carefully rehabilitate the building's distinctive features. The team restored the red-brick shell, intricate plaster canopy, and stained-glass windows that had been boarded up since the 1950s due to sound disturbances, bringing natural light back into the historic space.
The historic hall's capacity has been thoughtfully reduced from the original 3,500 seats to 2,550 plush red-velvet seats, creating a more intimate experience while maintaining the venue's grandeur. A major innovation is the automated retractable floor system at the orchestra level, which allows the space to transform into a standing-room venue for contemporary acts, dramatically expanding the hall's versatility for different types of performances.
Massey Hall's legendary acoustics, which made it a recording landmark for jazz greats Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie's "Jazz at Massey Hall" in 1953 and Neil Young's "Live at Massey Hall 1971," have been preserved and enhanced. The venue's famous scalloped plaster ceiling continues to provide exceptional sound quality, now refined by acoustic consultants Sound Space Vision and Charcoalblue, who have discreetly embedded 21st-century technology behind the historic detailing.
The new 7-story tower of glass and corrugated aluminum was ingeniously inserted into the narrow passageway between Massey Hall and the neighboring Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre. Floating glass walkways connect the old and new buildings, providing accessibility and offering stunning views over Victoria Street. The tower houses rehearsal rooms, a 500-seat TD Music Hall, the state-of-the-art Deane Cameron Recording Studio, and elegant lounges lined with oak, marble, and ribbed wood panels.
Backstage facilities have been completely reimagined with light-filled dressing rooms, comfortable lounges, and professional recording studios, creating a significantly improved experience for performers. The circulatory spaces deliberately contrast the venue's historic warm tones with contemporary materials including black steel, veined marble, and sleek cold finishes that reflect modern design sensibilities.
Throughout the new spaces, bars and ticket counters glow with warm lighting, while conference rooms and studios open to panoramic city views, creating inspiring environments for artists and patrons alike. At night, visitors are welcomed under the iconic neon Massey Hall sign into a historic venue that has been masterfully reimagined for the modern era.
"It's still the same Massey Hall we know and love, now updated so that it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come," said McKenna, emphasizing the project's success in balancing preservation with innovation. KPMB's Massey Hall revival represents a perfect harmony between history and innovation, red brick and glass, honoring the lingering echoes of past concerts while preparing for the vibrant performances yet to come.
