St. Lawrence Hall, Community center and historic meeting hall in downtown Toronto, Canada
St. Lawrence Hall is a public building from the mid-1800s located in downtown Toronto. The structure displays Renaissance Revival style with four Corinthian columns, Victorian interior design, and a mansard roof crowned with an ornamental cupola.
The building was designed by architect William Thomas after the Great Fire of Toronto in 1849 and constructed between 1850 and 1851. It was created to provide the city with a major public center following the destruction.
The third storey held St. Patrick Hall, a meeting place for the Irish Catholic Benevolent Union. The lower levels were part of the market, with stores and businesses. Politicians John A. Macdonald and George Brown, Fathers of Confederation, spoke to Toronto crowds here.
St. Lawrence Hall stands at the northeast corner of King Street East and Jarvis Street, a short walk east of the King subway station in downtown Toronto. The main entrance is on King Street East, beneath the projecting cornice and arched doorways. The hall is an event venue, so interior access depends on whether a wedding, conference or art show is booked; the exterior, including the corner tower and its clock, can be viewed from the sidewalk at any time.
The first two Juno Awards ceremonies in Canadian music history took place here in 1970 and 1971. These music award celebrations show how the venue remained important for artists and the entertainment industry.
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