Sony Centre for the Performing Arts Map

Meridian Hall is a performing arts venue in Toronto, Ontario, and it is the country's largest soft-seat theatre.^[1] The facility was constructed for the City of Toronto municipal government and is currently managed by TO Live, an arms-length agency and registered charity created by the city.^[2][3] Located at 1 Front Street East, the venue opened as the O'Keefe Centre on October 1, 1960. From 1996 to 2007, the building was known as the Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts.^[4][5] From 2007 to 2019, it was known as the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. On September 15, 2019, it was re-branded as Meridian Hall.

Meridian Hall

Exterior view of Meridian Hall from Front and Yonge Street
Former names	O'Keefe Centre (1960–1996) Hummingbird Centre for the Performing Arts (1996–2007) Sony Centre for the Performing Arts (2007–2019)
Address	1 Front Street East Toronto, Ontario M5E 1B2
Coordinates	43°38′48″N 79°22′34″W / 43.6466°N 79.3761°W / 43.6466; -79.3761
Public transit	King TTC streetcars Union Station Lakeshore West Lakeshore East Milton Kitchener Barrie Richmond Hill Stouffville Union Pearson Express Canadian Corridor Maple Leaf GO Transit bus services
Owner	City of Toronto government
Type	Performing arts venue
Capacity	3,191
Construction
Opened	October 1, 1960
Reopened	October 1, 2010
Rebuilt	2008–2010
Years active	1960–2008; 2010–present
Architect	Peter Dickinson
Website
www.meridianhall.com

In 2008, the City of Toronto designated the theatre a heritage building.^[6] That year, it also underwent renovations to restore features such as the marquee canopy and York Wilson's lobby mural, The Seven Lively Arts. Restoration of the wood, brass and marble was undertaken, along with audience seating, flooring upgrades, new washrooms and reconfigured lobby spaces. Following two years of renovations and restoration work, the building reopened on October 1, 2010, fifty years to the date of the first opening night performance.