{"id":13649,"date":"2023-02-28T14:58:35","date_gmt":"2023-02-28T22:58:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/redevelopment-proposal-to-modernize-and-preserve-the-regent-theatre\/"},"modified":"2023-02-28T14:58:36","modified_gmt":"2023-02-28T22:58:36","slug":"redevelopment-proposal-to-modernize-and-preserve-the-regent-theatre","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/redevelopment-proposal-to-modernize-and-preserve-the-regent-theatre\/","title":{"rendered":"Redevelopment Proposal to Modernize and Preserve the Regent Theatre"},"content":{"rendered":"

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All this week, UrbanToronto is looking at the proposals of the five finalists<\/a> for the reimagining of the St Lawrence Centre for the Arts (STLC) in the heart of Downtown. Toronto has a vibrant arts scene, with 93% more artists<\/a> than any other city in the country, and to the north in Midtown, that scene includes the\u00a0Regent Theatre<\/a>\u00a0at 551 Mount Pleasant Road. Nearly a century after its construction, Terra Bruce Productions Inc<\/a> have submitted a Site Plan Approval application to substantially renovate the theatre. \u00a0<\/p>\n

Looking east across Mount Pleasant Road to the Regent Theatre, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and NORR Architects for Terrace Bruce Productions Inc<\/span><\/p>\n

Originally opened in 1927 as the Belsize Theatre<\/a>, the venue\u2019s shows include live performances and movies<\/a>. The two-storey building is at the northeast corner of Mount Pleasant Road and Belsize Road, a few blocks south of Eglinton Avenue, and is surrounded by two-storey commercial establishments. The theatre has a capacity of approximately 554 seats, with the gross floor area totalling 2,016m\u00b2. At the back of the venue is a surface parking lot with about 10 spaces.<\/p>\n

Looking northwest across Hadley Road to the rear addition of the Regent Theatre, as designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and NORR Architects for Terrace Bruce Productions Inc<\/span><\/p>\n

While the five proposals for the STLC aim thoroughly transform its site, this application intends to reconstruct and update the existing Regent Theatre. Hariri Pontarini Architects<\/a> working with\u00a0NORR Architects<\/a> have designed a third-stoery addition facing Mount Pleasant, and a rear addition stretching eastward toward Hadley Road. A common thread in the STLC proposals is the expansion of space for artists and performers. Similarly, Hariri Pontarini and NORR have designed a\u00a01,078m\u00b2 expansion here for the back of house area, allowing more space for rehearsal and community work.<\/p>\n

An aerial view of the concept plan for the Regent Theatre redevelopment, image from submission to City of Toronto<\/span><\/p>\n

The modernized venue would have an enlarged three-storey lobby, as well as a balcony seating area. The proposal would stand at 16m, with a total Gross Floor Area of 3,359m\u00b2. All walls on the outside would be replaced save for the west fa\u00e7ade, which the design preserves and restores given its historical value.<\/p>\n

Looking east across Mount Pleasant Road to the subject site, image retrieved from Google Street View<\/span><\/p>\n

The Heritage Impact Statement included in the application highlights the significance of the property as an early 20th century vaudeville theatre. It also mentions the neighbouring properties, whose construction dates back to the 1920s. The project would hold onto the historical value of the area by retaining the fa\u00e7ade of the Regent Theatre to link to the aesthetics of its neighbouring buildings.<\/p>\n

Looking northeast actoss Mount Pleasant Road to the Regent Theatre, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects and NORR Architects for Terrace Bruce Productions Inc<\/span><\/p>\n

With the parking lot being removed, the proposal calls for five bicycle parking spaces close to the rear entrance for employees. The application notes that visitors currently rely primarily on Toronto Bike Share and ample public parking in the area.<\/p>\n

An aerial view of the Regent Theatre and surrounding area, image retrieved from Google Maps<\/span><\/p>\n

The site is around one kilometre away from both Eglinton and Davisville subway stations. Mount Pleasant Road is also serviced by TTC bus route 74, which connects to St Clair station\u2026 but just as the proposal here looks to the future in modernizing the theatre, transit users can look ahead to the Eglinton Line 5 LRT; Mount Pleasant station will be about 650m from the theatre. Its anticipated completion later in 2023 will provide faster transit service across Eglinton Avenue from Mount Dennis station in the west to Kennedy station in the east.<\/p>\n

Toronto is a city constantly where past and future are in a never-ending game of tug of war. The STLC project features proposals taking big strides to reimagine the venue from the ground up, while honouring the Indigenous history of the land, while the submitted design for the Regent Theatre takes a more modest and less expensive approach in order to retain some of the venue\u2019s rich history. With both projects on the horizon, Toronto can hope to remain a vibrant and opportune place for artists and art lovers alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UrbanToronto will continue to follow progress on this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more about it from our Database file, linked below. If you’d like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.<\/p>\n

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UrbanToronto has a research service,\u00a0UrbanToronto Pro<\/a>, that provides comprehensive data on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area\u2014from proposal through to completion. We also offer\u00a0Instant\u00a0Reports<\/a>, downloadable snapshots based on location, and a daily subscription newsletter,\u00a0New Development Insider<\/a>, that tracks projects from initial application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n