[Northern Light]

The above noted building is set to be torn down and reconstructed.

The province announced 35M in funding this morning.

Theatre address; 885 Queen St, NOTL.

@Paclo

Extant building as per Streetview:

Interior:

Credit "Alan Cleaver" - Source: https://eventseeker.com/venue/708928-royal-george-theatre-niagara-falls-ont


News Release: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005719/ontario-investing-in-the-future-of-the-shaw-festival

Project Page at Shaw Festival: https://www.shawfest.com/about/future-of-royal-george/

 

[rdaner]

This should be two threads in the future. The first thing here is The Royal George Theatre which will be a new facility but no architect announced as noted above by NL. The second thing is the turning of the Maple Lodge next to the Festival Theatre into housing for artists with families, new performance space, etc. Great news! Take that Stratford!

Shaw Festival has raised 70 per cent of $150-million goal to reinvent theatre institution

The Shaw Festival says it's raised 70 per cent of the $150 million it needs to reinvent the theatre institution's role in southern Ontario.

www.thestar.com

Shaw Festival unveils $150 million expansion to foster human connection

Theatre as a tool for social change is at the heart of the Shaw Festival's newly unveiled All.Together.Now campaign, an initiative focused on community connectivity, reaching seniors, enhancing accessibility, and building spaces for lifelong creativity.

www.notllocal.com

 

[Doppleganger]

Though I'm all in favour of the theatre expanding its footprint, I would like to see the original theatre preserved. Clearly, 'designation' under the Ontario Heritage Act and 'recognition' as a National Historic Site are meaningless.

 

[whatever]

There was a good interview about the theater on CBC radio not long ago. The theater sounds like there isn't much left to preserve. Almost remarkable they kept it standing as long as they did.

Edit: Here's the audio. Around 2:30 he's talking about the history of the building and its state https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radi...er-lining-how-economic-drama-given-lease-life

 

[Dan416]

So they can tear down this theatre, but not the ugly Union train shed? I just don't get it.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

The side facades of the rebuild/expansion are regrettable (though understandable).

AoD

 

[Paclo]

In case you missed it, check out our front page article covering the plan here:

Shaw Festival Unveils Plans for New Royal George Theatre | UrbanToronto

The Shaw Festival has submitted plans to redevelop the Royal George Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake with a larger, more accessible, and carbon-neutral performance venue. The planned three-storey facility looks to anchor a new Downtown Campus and preserve the historic character of Queen Street.

urbantoronto.ca

I will bring forward some visuals inthread: