Masonic Temple – From a Freemason Gem to a Toronto Music Shrine

The Masonic Temple, also known as The Concert Hall, is located at ‪888 Yonge St (at Davenport Rd on the northwest corner) in the Yorkville neighbourhood of Toronto.

The Architecture of the Masonic Temple

The Masonic Temple was designed by the architectural firm William F. Sparling & Co. for the Grand Lodge of Ancient and Accepted Masons of Canada in Ontario. Construction began in 1916, and the following year, W.H. Wardrope, KC, the Grand Master, laid the cornerstone at the new temple, with the Grand Lodge marching in procession to the ceremony.

Combining several Masonic lodges, the Masonic Temple officially opened on January 1, 1918.

This landmark occupies a uniquely shaped site and is situated close to the street. Built in the Renaissance Revival style, it is a six-storey building rich with Classical motifs. The Masonic Temple is made of reinforced steel and tile and is organized into three distinct levels. Its base is clad in Indiana limestone and features patterned brick panels, followed by a tapestry brick shaft. The building is topped with a stone cornice that showcases mouldings and dentils below the brick parapet. One of the Temple’s most distinctive features is its rounded corner, which includes stone panels sculpted with Masonic symbols.

The public entrance is on the east side and is accessible via Yonge St. This entrance is recessed behind three round-arched portals supported by Doric columns, leading to a staircase and doors that open into the main-floor auditorium. Above the east entrance is a set-in balcony with a Palladian-style opening.

The building’s south side features two entrances on Davenport Rd, which members used. Both the south and east sides have flat-headed window openings—some of these are blind, while others are open and feature steel sash with wire glass.

Inside the Landmark

The main floor features a foyer, a lobby, and an auditorium. With its ornate stage, decorated ceiling beams, gallery seating on the mezzanine level, and a capacity of 1,200 seats, the auditorium was built to rent out for events and performances, helping offset operating costs.

The upper floors were sectioned into lodge rooms. Two patterned tile floors with Masonic symbols have survived, including the Blue Lodge Room on the second floor and the Scottish Rite and Preceptory Room on the third floor. The hardware and millwork on the upper two floors also feature Masonic emblems.

On to Music History…

In the early 1960s, the auditorium became home to various concert venues and was initially named Club 888. In 1968, it was rebranded as The Rock Pile, promoted as “an above-ground home for underground music,” and opened with Blood, Sweat & Tears. It could hold 3,200 people, with an additional 600 seats available in the upstairs section. Notable acts that performed at The Rock Pile included Led Zeppelin, the Jeff Beck Group, Tina Turner, Iron Butterfly, Muddy Waters, The Mothers of Invention (Frank Zappa), Buddy Guy, Deep Purple, and Country Joe and the Fish. Ticket prices ranged from $2.50 to $3.00, depending on the act. The Rock Pile closed in the summer of 1969 due to financial issues.

On New Year’s Eve 1969, the venue reopened as the Masonic Temple and featured a performance by Alice Cooper. From 1979 until 1998, it was known as The Concert Hall. Throughout its history, many legendary musicians have performed there, including Frank Sinatra, The Ramones, Iggy Pop, George Clinton and the P-Funk All-Stars, The Cramps, Metallica, James Brown, The Tragically Hip, Chuck Berry, Public Enemy, Soundgarden, Iron Maiden, David Bowie, The Pogues, Foo Fighters, Bob Dylan, The Band, Pearl Jam, and many more.

Its Near Demolition

In 1996, the Freemasons sold the building to The Rosedale Group. The new owners initially had plans to reopen the hall; however, in 1997, they decided to demolish the historic building to make way for condos. That same year, the landmark received heritage designation from the city, and because of that, it just escaped being torn down.

The CTV Years

CTV purchased the building in 1999. It housed their studios, and in 2006, it became the headquarters of MTV Canada. Even though the hall was closed, musical performances continued, including one by U2. Plus, The Rolling Stones used the space for rehearsals.

The Building Today

In 2013, Info-Tech Research Group purchased the iconic building for $12.5 million. The IT research and advisory firm undertook a beautiful renovation of the structure, and now, along with their Toronto offices, The Concert Hall is once again open for events. The hall accommodates 700 guests and features a raised stage with a decorative arch, a hardwood dance floor, a theatre lighting rig, and exceptional acoustics. The venue hosts a variety of events, including concerts, corporate gatherings, parties, and more.

Did You Know?

• The Masonic Temple was originally to be located at 16 Spadina Rd.
• Before the Masonic Temple was built, the northwest corner of Yonge St and Davenport Rd was the site of the Primitive Methodist Church, which was constructed in 1866. Twenty years later, the 250-seat church became too small for its congregation, so it was sold for $19,000 and became St. Paul’s Methodist Church. By the 1890s, the building served as the Christian Workers Church, a name it retained until it appeared for the last time at this address in the 1906 Toronto City Directory. After that, the building was left vacant and was demolished around 1916 to build the Masonic Temple.
• In the late 1920s, there was a proposal for the intersection of Yonge and Davenport to be a north commercial hub. The Masonic Temple and the Grand Central Market Building (or what we know today as Canadian Tire) were part of that proposal but were never fully realized.
• The 888 address of the Masonic Hall is considered lucky and coveted by developers.

Toronto’s Previous Masonic Hall

Before the Masonic Temple was built at the corner of Yonge St and Davenport Rd, the Freemasons held their meetings at a hall located at 18-20 Toronto St. This hall, which is now considered one of the city’s lost gems and early skyscrapers, was designed by the architects Kauffman & Bissell and was initially supposed to be a concert hall. The five-storey hall was built in 1857 at a cost of £17,000. The brick-clad, tin-roofed structure had a fine-cut stone front featuring large iron pillars between plate glass and elaborate Gothic-style carvings.

There were shops on the first floor with offices on the second and third floors. The upper levels housed lodge rooms and a hall that were said to be the largest in the city at the time.

The Toronto Street Masonic Hall later became offices for an insurance company until the building was demolished in the 1960s.

Just What is Freemasonry?

Formed by a guild of skilled stonemasons and cathedral builders, its origins date back to medieval Britain. In 1738, the colony of Canada’s first Masonic lodge was formed in Nova Scotia, and various lodges subsequently emerged throughout Upper and Lower Canada. In 1855, the Grand Lodge of Canada was created to distinguish itself from the Masons in England. In 1887, its name was changed to the Grand Lodge of Ancient and Accepted Masons of Canada in the Province of Ontario.

The world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization, its purpose was to help each other become better people. The founding principles of the mysterious and secretive organization include brotherly love, charity and truth, which are applied in their members’ daily lives. A few notable Freemasons include J. Ross Robertson (founder of the Telegram), Joseph Brant, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Sir John A. Macdonald, George Washington, and Winston Churchill.

Today, there are reportedly upwards to 6 million Freemasons worldwide. In Ontario alone, there are 550 lodges with more than 40,000 members. Other branches of Freemasonry include the Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners, and Knights Templar.

Did you attend any concerts at the the Masonic Temple? Click to share your comments below.

Masonic Temple Photos

SOURCE

• City of Toronto Heritage Register: 888 Yonge St
• Ontario Heritage Trust: 888 Yonge St
• The Globe Newspaper Archives: Jun 30, 1857, pg 2
• The Globe Newspaper Archives: Apr 1, 1913, pg 1
• The Globe Newspaper Archives: Dec 4, 1916, pg 9
• The Globe Newspaper Archives: Nov 19, 1917, pg 9
• The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Sep 12, 1968, pg 12
• The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Dec 30, 1969, pg 11
• Toronto Star Newspaper Archives: Mar 16, 1996, pgs K1, K3
• The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Sep 29, 1997, pg A11
• The Globe and Mail Newspaper Archives: Feb 12, 2006, pg R1
• The Toronto Sun Newspaper Archives: Jun 17, 2017
• Landmarks of Toronto: Volume 4 by J Ross Robertson (1904), pg 377
• Lost Toronto by William Dendy (1978), pgs 80-81
• 888 Yonge
• Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario
• The Canadian Encyclopedia: Freemasonry
• CBC: Masonic Temple in Toronto sold to IT firm for $12.5M – Jun 17, 2013
• Photos: Denise Marie for TorontoJourney416
• Vintage Photos: City of Toronto Archives & Toronto Public Library