Toronto Massey Hall Revitalization at the Allied Music Centre | 48.46m | 7s | KPMB

Any report that doesn't mention the staricase isn't original to the building is a dumb one.

Though anyone who couldn't figure out it isn't original to the building after looking at the facade is also questionable. Then again, just read the comments to the CP24 piece. You can't help those who couldn't even be bothered to read

AoD
 
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American Express Canada Expands Commitment to Massey Hall Restoration Project

https://www.newswire.ca/news-releas...assey-hall-restoration-project-701006912.html
American Express Canada is pleased to announce that the American Express Foundation is pledging $1 Million toward the restoration of historic Massey Hall. This is the Foundation's second major gift to the initiative to revitalize the venue, bringing its total contribution to $2.25 Million USD.

American Express' new commitment will support the removal and restoration of 100 original stained glass windows that have been hidden behind plywood since 1950. The windows were originally boarded up to protect the integrity of sound in the venue. Teams of local stained glass experts will work to restore the glass, preserving these once tucked away pieces of history for generations to come. Additionally, the funding will support the design and installation of special noise protecting shades that will cover the glass during performances.
"We know music and entertainment are essential to so many people's daily lives. Backing Massey Hall means we are helping to provide our Cardmembers and music-lovers across the city with access to the beautifully restored iconic Massey Hall. It's a natural fit for us because of our ongoing commitment to offering exclusive entertainment experiences for our Cardmembers," says David Barnes, Vice President of Advertising and Communications at American Express Canada.
The American Express Foundation supports efforts to save and sustain historical places, like Massey Hall, so that more people are able to enjoy classic sites around the world. Since joining forces in 2015, the American Express Foundation has helped fund other aspects of the project including the demolition and retention of the brick from the original building and re-plastering the ceiling of the concert hall.
American Express has a long standing relationship with Massey Hall as a marketing partner through its popular Front Of The Line® program that provides Cardmembers with advanced and reserved ticket access to concerts and events.
The donation from the American Express Foundation is part of a global focus on supporting the restoration and preservation of buildings and sites of historic and cultural significance.
 
Please Toronto, don't let it get renamed "American Express Massey Hall"…
They didn't rename SkyDome to Rogers SkyDome, now did they? What makes you think that they will keep Massey in the name? It will be something like Burger King Music Palace. Or maybe even Budweiser Stage. Oh, wait, we already have one of those...
 
They didn't rename SkyDome to Rogers SkyDome, now did they? What makes you think that they will keep Massey in the name? It will be something like Burger King Music Palace. Or maybe even Budweiser Stage. Oh, wait, we already have one of those...

How about "UrbanToronto Hall"?
 
Crane now up on site. Sorry for the pic quality.

2BAsKtn
 
Federal and provincial funding was just announced for this project (I removed some propagandistic language from the press release below):

Infrastructure investment will benefit tourism and culture sector, create jobs
TORONTO—Canada and Ontario are supporting infrastructure investments to renovate and expand Canada's oldest concert hall, a move that will boost Ontario's tourism and culture sector.​
James Maloney, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke-Lakeshore, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, joined Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton and Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport Michael Tibollo today to show Canada and Ontario's commitment for Phase 2 of the Massey Hall Revitalization project. Ontario is investing $30 million, which has been matched by the Government of Canada.​
"Our government's investment will enable the historic Massey Hall to continue promoting the arts and inspiring future generations of Canadian artists," said MP Maloney, on behalf of the federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. "Cultural spaces like Massey Hall celebrate diversity, support vibrant and inclusive communities, and create more jobs."​
"Massey Hall is a memory maker," said Minister McNaughton. "The Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo and Gordon Lightfoot have all performed on its legendary stage. Our government's investment today means those memories will continue for generations to come."​
"People travel from all over the world to experience a concert at Massey Hall in person. The renewal of Massey Hall will not only preserve the incredible history of the venue, it will also help Ontario's up-and-coming artists and performers by creating a new performance space with a 500-person capacity to help develop their skills," said Minister Tibollo. "The expanded concert calendar will also significantly benefit Ontario's culture and tourism sectors."​
Built in 1894, Massey Hall is an iconic venue in downtown Toronto that has hosted thousands of performances from musical greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Rush and Gordon Lightfoot. Historical figures such as Winston Churchill and the Dalai Lama have also graced the stage.​
Massey Hall, which closed in July for construction, will see a full restoration of the exterior and interior of the building, including 100 original stained-glass windows. As well, a new seven-storey tower addition will feature a live-music stage and performance studio.​
"The current Massey Hall Revitalization construction phase has generated jobs for more than 1,800 tradespeople and today's confirmation of support will help bolster our commitment to job creation in the music and tourism sectors of this province when we reopen in Fall 2020," said Deane Cameron, president and CEO of Massey & Roy Thomson Hall. "Ultimately, this tremendous support will ensure that Massey Hall will continue to thrive and be Ontario's premier cultural destination for music fans worldwide."​
QUICK FACTS
  • Massey Hall, a designated National Historic Site, was built in 1894, as a gift from Hart Massey to the citizens of Toronto.
  • Phase 1 of Massey Hall’s revitalization project was completed in 2017. It included decommissioning the old Albert Building and preparing the footprint for the new tower.
  • The second and final phase of the revitalization has a budget of up to $113 million. It calls for full restoration of the interior and exterior of the venue, along with the construction of a new seven-storey addition. When completed, Massey Hall will feature three performance stages, all fully accessible.
  • In 2016, live performances in Ontario contributed more than $1 billion to Ontario’s GDP and accounted for more than 21,000 jobs.
  • In 2016, 12.9 million visitors to Ontario participated in cultural activities, such as attending a museum or art gallery, an historic site, a play or concert, a festival or fair, and/or an Indigenous event. Visitor spending associated with these trips totalled $7.7 billion.
 
Nicel:cool:

Hidden for nearly a century, Massey Hall's stained glass windows find new life
TORONTO — When Massey Hall opened its doors 125 years ago visitors were awestruck by the choral music venue’s spectacular stained glass windows, says restoration expert Eve Guinan.

In the daytime, sunlight poured through the magenta and rose panels, casting a transcendent glow over the audience, while at night the lemon and blue hues glimmered in the moonlight. Portraits of 12 famous composers adorned the Toronto building’s exterior, from Bach and Beethoven to Handel and Chopin.

Despite Massey being a strictly secular venue, it must’ve been a downright spiritual experience — but it wouldn’t last long. Those windows were boarded up in the early half of the 20th century to muffle noise leaking in from the streets.

Over the years, as Massey evolved into a space that hosted famous names from around the world, the windows fell into a state of disrepair.

“From the outside, the stained glass was so dirty nobody actually knew it existed,” explains Guinan.

“It was, as we call it, encrusted with grime.”
More......... https://toronto.citynews.ca/2019/04...ey-halls-stained-glass-windows-find-new-life/

Also...
Bridging the past and present with restoration of Massey Hall's stained glass windows
https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/bridging...massey-hall-s-stained-glass-windows-1.4371809
 

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