We are conserving the Regent Theatre as a theatre, consistent with its use for the last 100 years. This is a storied cultural venue. It started as a main-street movie theatre, a common type in Toronto with two retail shops built in on either side of the lobby. It was adapted as a live theatre venue in the 1950s-60s, the Crest Theatre, a storied institution in the Canadian theatre scene. In the last few decades, the theatre has fallen into disuse, and requires revitalization. This is an important story and use, and we’re excited to revive this building to meet the needs of a contemporary venue for live performance.

As resident company, Terra Bruce Productions will premiere new Canadian musical theatre productions. The venue will also host a year-round program including concerts, cabaret, films, circus and children’s programming. It will not be a nightclub.

The plans include multiple rooms for community meetings, celebrations, and gatherings.

A café open for the early morning and lunchtime crowd, with live performances in the evening. The venue will always comply with the city’s noise and operation bylaws.

There will no below grade parking. We are reducing the capacity of the venue from 800 to 600 seats. We are a neighbourhood theatre and want to present and develop a program for the people who live in our community. We will encourage walking, transit and taxi/uber. All ticket buyers will be sent an email message identifying parking areas in the neighbourhood.

An enclosed loading dock area to minimize noise and to maintain aesthetic is being designed. Loading and unloading services will be restricted between 8am – 11pm. The garbage and food waste are stored in a separate room adjacent to the loading dock.

ERA has been engaged to lead our heritage strategy, which is centred on the conservation of the Regent Theatre use and requires some building reconfiguration to meet the needs of a 21st century live theatre. We’re complementing that strategy with select heritage conservation measures, including the restoration of the Mount Pleasant street frontage, removing all the obstruction of the original brick to return it to its former glory, and the salvage and display of several elements of original detailing’/ ornamentation on the interior to convey some of the aesthetic specific to the 1920s.

Roughly 22-24 months from issued permit.