Masonic Temple, Renaissance Revival masonic temple in Yorkville, Toronto, Canada
The Masonic Temple is a four-storey, 16.67-metre building on the north-west corner of Davenport Road and Yonge Street in Toronto. Dark brown brick rises over a light stone base, and the chamfered corner carries the carved words "MASONIC TEMPLE" beneath "INFO-TECH" signage. Rectangular windows with lighter stone surrounds sit in regular rows, and a band of decorative square panels runs along the base.
Construction started in 1916 after the demolition of the Primitive Methodist Church and was completed in 1918 following designs by architect W.J. Sparling. The site originally housed 38 Masonic bodies before later serving as a concert hall and television studios.
The building is still known as the Masonic Temple, though its corner stone panel now reads "INFO-TECH" above the carved words "MASONIC TEMPLE". Since 2017 it has operated as The Concert Hall, an events venue open year-round. From 2018 to 2023 its auditorium hosted the Sunday services of Hillsong Canada, whose first service there was held on September 23, 2018.
The entrance is located on Yonge Street, and visitors can view the facade and exterior details from the sidewalk. Access and use of the building vary depending on its current function, so checking ahead before a visit is advisable.
The address 888 Yonge Street was marketed as lucky to Asian buyers: in 1997 a developer planned a highrise there and the building faced demolition, before Ontario Heritage Act designation saved it that same year. Info-Tech Research Group bought it in 2013 for $12.5 million and planned an annual charity rock concert in the auditorium.
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