Anyone who’s attended a show at the Great Hall recently is likely aware of the 126-year-old Queen and Dovercourt venue’s limited capacity and accessibility issues.
The four-storey Victorian-era building’s two-year overhaul is nearing completion, and last week the project management group, Triangle Development, detailed new features visitors can expect.
In addition to all-new common areas, new HVAC facilities, elevator access and AV equipment, the raised wooden running track that dates back to the building’s early days as the West End YMCA is being restored as a balcony for the “completely revamped” lower level.
Additionally, the exterior red brick work is being replaced and repointed, windows are being refurbished – using original glass panes and frame woodwork when possible – and Port Credit sandstone details are being cleaned. The steel dome and corner tower have recently been restored. The firm behind the restoration is Bernard Watts Architects, also responsible for converting the Centennial Methodist Church to the Church Lofts on Dovercourt.
In 2011, Miss Thing’s/Wrongbar owner Nav Sangha teamed up with the Lakeview Restaurant’s Alex Sengupta and Fadi Hakim to take over and revitalize the venue, including bringing in a new sound system. They gave up ownership in 2014.
* A previous version of this article named Gordon & Helliwell as the current architects, and didn’t make it clear that Sangha, Sengupta and Hakim were not the current owners. We regret the errors.
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