St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts

Location

Toronto, Canada

Owner

CreateTo and TO Live

Collaborators +

Project Status

In Progress

Services

Architecture, Interior Design, Renovation + Adaptive Reuse

The renewed St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts redefines the performing arts landscape, cultivating artistic innovation and community engagement at the heart of downtown Toronto. Building on the venue’s 50-year history, the new cultural space designed in collaboration with Hariri Pontarini Architects, Tawaw Collective, Smoke Architecture and SLA emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion for a thriving creative environment. St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts emerges as a revitalized center for the performing arts, drawing inspiration from the city’s rich history and cultural diversity.

The design features a high-performance transparent exterior, wrapping the existing structure along Front St. East and Scott St. Plaza, including a new bridge. This dynamic, shimmering curtain-like façade maximizes natural light and offers glimpses of the vibrant activities inside. Private and public events, such as weddings, fashion shows, and banquets, can take place simultaneously or extend to the light-filled upper lobby and rooftop terrace for a singular, immersive event with coveted views.

Toronto’s St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts reimagines the performing arts experience by emphasizing diversity and inclusion, skillfully merging built and natural environments. With a flexible main theatre, an innovative acoustic hall, and versatile event spaces, this facility serves as a catalyst for the future of creative expression, inspiring new possibilities and fostering artistic innovation.