Curious about the many names this grand building has held? Today, we stand before Meridian Hall. It is a landmark performing arts venue in Toronto. But its story stretches back much further than its current name.
Originally, this very spot was home to commercial buildings. Before that, it was the Great Western Railway Terminal. Later, it became the Toronto Wholesale Fruit Market. The land transformed to become a cultural beacon.
The idea for Meridian Hall began in the mid-1940s. Mayor Nathan Phillips challenged Toronto industrialists. He wanted them to fund a multipurpose center for theatre, music, and dance. E.P. Taylor of Canadian Breweries stepped up in 1955. He offered to build a performing arts center. This would increase Toronto’s entertainment options.
However, the proposal wasn’t approved until 1958. Some opposed the use of beer money for community development. Despite the controversy, Taylor assigned Hugh Walker to oversee the project. For its first 36 years, it was known as the O’Keefe Centre.
The O’Keefe Centre opened on October 1, 1960. The opening was a glamorous red-carpet gala. The first production was Lerner and Loewe’s “Camelot”. It starred Richard Burton and Julie Andrews.
Many famous artists graced the stage of Meridian Hall. Ethel Merman and Yul Brynner performed here. Bob Dylan and David Bowie played concerts here. Ballet companies and opera stars also took the stage. The National Ballet of Canada and the Canadian Opera Company called this home from 1961 to 2006.
A dramatic moment occurred in 1974. During a Bolshoi Ballet visit, Mikhail Baryshnikov defected. He escaped into a waiting car outside the venue.
In 1996, the venue was renamed the Hummingbird Centre. This recognized a gift from Hummingbird Communications Ltd. The donation funded renovations, including an elevator. In 2007, Sony bought the naming rights. It became the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.
After the ballet and opera moved in 2006, programming changed. It began to include more multicultural content. This appealed to Toronto’s diverse communities.
The Sony Centre closed in 2008 for renovations. It reopened on October 1, 2010, fifty years after its original opening. In 2019, it was rebranded as Meridian Hall. This was part of a 15-year partnership with Meridian Credit Union.
Peter Dickinson designed Meridian Hall. It exemplifies mid-twentieth-century modern architecture. The building features a symmetrical design. Steel trusses and concrete support the structure. The auditorium has an acoustic system for immersive sound.
Original materials remain today. These include Alabama limestone and Carrara marble. York Wilson’s mural, “The Seven Lively Arts,” adorns the foyer.
Meridian Hall stands as a testament to Toronto’s vibrant arts scene. It has evolved through many names and performances. It continues to inspire and entertain audiences. This building preserves its history and embraces its future. Meridian Hall is a cultural treasure in Toronto.