The Great Hall

1087 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

The Great Hall

1087 Queen Street West, Toronto, ON

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Capacity: 1,200 people

About The Great Hall

Standing at the corner of Queen & Dovercourt since 1889, The Great Hall is a cherished heritage building and iconic Toronto landmark, completely restored in 2016. Founded as the city’s first West End YMCA, it evolved into a prime space for public speaking and the performing arts, housed the headquarters of a temperance society during the Prohibition era, and served as a home for refugees during World War II. By the 1980s, The Great Hall was at the centre of Toronto’s artistic community as a premier venue for music, visual arts, and unforgettable events. In the early 2000s The Great Hall has earned its reputation as an incomparable space for signature events and special occasions. For over 125 years, this acclaimed Toronto landmark has hosted an astounding range of organizations and events from meetings and conferences to floor-stomping musical performances. Some of the world’s most recognized companies have chosen The Great Hall for their special events, hosting notables such as Justin Trudeau and Col. Chris Hadfield. There have been countless weddings, receptions, and other milestone social occasions; not to mention the people who have met here at an event and then returned to celebrate their wedding. The Great Hall is customizable for any event and offers over 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible space across four distinctive venues, which can be rented separately or together. These spaces can provide an intimate setting for groups as small as 10 or accommodate parties as large as 1,200. Renovations have fully updated the building with all new amenities, new heating and cooling systems, an elevator, modern technology, full beverage service, and state-of-the art audio and lighting systems. The Main Hall is recognized as one of the best live music venues in Toronto. Queen West has gone through many changes since the late 19th century, but The Great Hall’s hallmark High Victorian character has endured. Two of its four event spaces are heritage designated for their architectural and historical significance. Outside, the timeless elegance of the red brick exterior, stately arched windows, and distinctive dome-topped turret continue to look out over this bustling neighborhood.

Event Spaces

Main Hall

Maximum Capacity: 480
General Event Space

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Main Hall

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 480

The historic centerpiece of the building, the Main Hall is an elegant, two-storey space of over 10,000 sq. ft. that includes a reception area, coat check, and green room. The venue exudes grandeur with a stage framed by a striking decorative wall of gilded scrollwork, a 30 ft high coffered and arched ceiling punctuated by Waterford crystal chandeliers, and a border of graceful, gilt-topped columns supporting the balcony. The west wall features four 20 ft high, arched windows that can bathe the room in natural light or be covered by the rich, deep red draperies. The wood floor of the Main Hall has been refinished to bring out a patina that artfully underlines its historical character, engrained by generations of events in this singular venue.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 250 People

Reception
Capacity: 480 People

Theater
Capacity: 330 People

Amenities

Dance Floor
Wet Bar
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Floor Covering: 10,000 sq ft
Floor Number: 2,3

Conversation Room

Maximum Capacity: 117
General Event Space

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Conversation Room

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 117

Secluded on the second floor, the Conversation Room is a classic Victorian “gathering place”. Crisp white walls reach up to a coffered ceiling surrounded by original hand-carved crown moulding. Tasteful crystal chandeliers hang above the chevron pattern wood floor, but the stars of this bright, airy room are the large original windows, including a panoramic corner turret and seating nook. This 1,200 sq. ft. room adapts easily to casual or formal events, and serves as an ideal stand-alone event venue space, or a spacious reception area when rented together with the Main Hall.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 60 People

Reception
Capacity: 117 People

Theater
Capacity: 100 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Floor Covering: 1250 sq.ft
Floor Number: 2nd Floor

Longboat Hall

Maximum Capacity: 400
General Event Space

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Longboat Hall

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 400

Longboat Hall is a long-hidden treasure that began as the first West End YMCA gymnasium in 1889. Named for renowned aboriginal distance runner and Boston Marathon winner, Tom Longboat (who trained here in the early 20th century), this unique two-storey venue is self-contained, with a street level main entrance on Dovercourt Road. The 5000 sq. ft. space features sandstone brick walls that rise up to a patterned ceiling 20 feet above the polished concrete floor. Cast iron pillars support the original running track balcony, with large windows along the west wall. The bar on each level is backed by slate and wood recovered from the restoration of The Great Hall’s peaked roof. Together, these elements combine to lend Longboat Hall a feel of industrial elegance.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 140 People

Reception
Capacity: 400 People

Theater
Capacity: 175 People

Amenities

Wet Bar
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Floor Covering: 5000 sq.ft
Floor Number: G,1

Drawing Room

Maximum Capacity: 97
General Event Space

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Drawing Room

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General Event Space | Maximum Capacity: 97

Tucked away discreetly at the top of The Great Hall’s public space, the Drawing Room has only improved with age. The original, fully restored wood floors, grand columns, crown moulding, large windows, and marble fireplace are just some of the esthetic delights in this 1,200 sq. ft. venue. Suitable for a product launch, breakout session, evening reception, business lunch, or quiet meeting retreat, the Drawing Room is a highly adaptable space. The addition of a fully equipped gourmet presentation kitchen and grand bar put the exclamation mark on that claim.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Banquet - 10 per
Capacity: 60 People

Reception
Capacity: 97 People

Theater
Capacity: 80 People

Amenities

Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Floor Covering: 1250 sq.ft
Floor Number: 3rd Floor

Venue Types

Amenities

ADA/ACA Accessible
Full Bar/Lounge
Outside Catering Allowed
Wireless Internet/Wi-Fi

Features

Max Number of People for an Event: 1200
Number of Event/Function Spaces: 4
Special Features: State-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, Accessible, Loading dock
Year Renovated: 2017

The Great Hall

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