Another iconic Toronto music venue could be the site of a high-rise tower thanks to a newly filed application with city planners.
On November 7th, a zoning by-law amendment application was submitted to the City of Toronto to develop a 39-storey mixed-use building with 456 units at 410 Sherbourne Street. According to online sources, the Upper Jarvis address currently belongs to The Phoenix Concert Theatre, a nightclub and concert venue.
The 18,000 square-foot, 1,000-patron club near Sherbourne and Carlton streets is known for its years of live music performances, attracting big-name artists from Tegan and Sara to The Foo Fighters.
At the time of publication, the development documents have not been made public on Toronto’s development portal, so virtually no details are available of what the proposed tower would look like or what plans are in store for The Phoenix.
BuzzBuzzHome lists Sorbara Group of Companies as the builder on the 410 Sherbourne Street project page. Public information shows that the Vaughan-based developer is listed under Toronto’s Lobbyist Registry in regards to a planning and zoning by-law amendment with 410 Sherbourne Street. Toronto’s Lobbyist Registrar is responsible for disclosing lobbying activities and the regulation of lobbyist conduct.
If The Phoenix Concert Theatre ends up as the site of a condo, it won’t be the only Toronto music venue slated for a revamp. Here a few notable city music venues that have been transformed — or are up for redevelopment — into new construction residential projects:
Siesta Nouveaux
Location: Front and Lower Sherbourne streets (Saint Lawrence)
Status: Now Time and Space Condos, under construction
Developer: Pemberton Group
Architect: Wallman Architects
Having closed in 2012, the east-end DIY and all-ages venue was a hub for the hardcore punk community. The former painted brick building was also used as an alternative theatre and residences for artists and musicians. Time and Space Condos now occupies the site just north of The Esplanade. When construction wraps up next year, the 29-storey building will be home to over 1,500 condo units.
The Matador
Location: 466 Dovercourt Road (Dufferin Grove)
Status: Council approved application for six-storey, 30-unit mixed-use building
Developer: KamMor Developments
Architect: Axia Design Associates and ERA Architects
This century-old ballroom and music venue near College Street and Dovercourt Road was sold in spring 2019. In its years, The Matador held performances for Johnny Cash, Janis Joplin and Joni Mitchell. The redevelopment plans would retain The Matador’s exterior marquee sign and a wood panelled artist signature wall inside the building. Commercial and retail space would also be incorporated into the mid-rise project.
Sneaky Dee’s
Location: 419 College Street (Kensington Market)
Status: Pending application for a 13-storey, 169-unit project
Developer: Ironwood Bay
Architect: BDP Quadrangle
If you like Tex-Mex cuisine and live music, Sneaky Dee’s is a popular go-to near Bathurst and College streets. On the 2020 Labour Day weekend, city planners received an application to develop a 13-storey mixed-use project on the site, which encompasses several other neighbouring properties. The application would see the creation of 169 condo units, new amenity and retail space, plus a “potential music venue” with a stage according to the architectural drawings.
The Silver Dollar Room
Location: Spadina Avenue and College Street (Harbord Village)
Status: Now The Waverley
Developer: Fitzrovia Real Estate
Architect: Kirkor Architect + Planners
During its time as a music venue near Spadina Avenue and College Street, The Silver Dollar Room held performances for The Barenaked Ladies, Blue Rodeo and Bob Dylan. After nearly 60 years in business, the venue closed for good in May 2017 with local punk rock band METZ as the final act. The Waverley Hotel, which opened in 1900, operated next door and was demolished in 2018. Several elements of The Silver Dollar Room have been preserved in the new purpose-built rental building that now occupies the site, The Waverley by Fitzrovia Real Estate.
The Central
Location: Bathurst and Bloor streets (Mirvish Village)
Status: Now Mirvish Village, under construction
Developer: Westbank
Architect: Henriquez Partners Architects, Diamond Schmitt Architects
The colossal redevelopment of Mirvish Village involved the demolition of several buildings, including beloved discount store Honest Ed’s and The Central music venue. Opened in 2006, the live indie music and comedy show business near Bathurst and Bloor streets ran until January 2017. Taking over the site, the future master-planned Mirvish Village will provide 900 rental homes available for lease as of summer 2022.
