The Great Hall’s venues are the perfect marriage of grand and intimate, traditional and modern. To achieve this, original elements were painstakingly restored to their former glory during an ambitious 16-month restoration that covered every facet of the building. From the brick and Port Credit sandstone façade, to the 19 century radiators and original window mullions, attention was given to every detail in order to reveal The Great Hall’s rich history and ageless charm.
Facilities and capacity
The backbone of The Great Hall is its broad wooden staircase adorned with hand-carved, gilded ornaments. Design gems abound, including the original coffered hallway ceiling highlighted with crystal chandeliers, and practical features, like the all-new washrooms at each venue, exhibit old-world class paired with modern convenience.
Main Hall
The historic centrepiece 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.
Capacity - Standing: 480, Theatre Seating: 230 on the main floor, 80 on balcony; Banquet Seating: 170 on the main floor, 70 on balcony
Longboat Hall
This 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 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.
Capacity - Standing: 400, Theatre Seating: 175, Banquet Seating: 120
The Conversation Room
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.
Capacity - Standing: 117, Theatre Seating: 110, Banquet Seating: 80
The Drawing Room
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. The addition of a fully equipped gourmet presentation kitchen and grand bar put the exclamation mark on that claim.
Capacity - Standing: 97, Theatre Seating: 80, Banquet Seating: 50
The Great Hall has the right mix of historic elegance and contemporary Queen Street style for your next event.
